During the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Dr. Jatali Bellanton, a Cape Verdean-British financial strategist, angel investor, global finance educator, and founder of Brilliant Minds with Dr. Jatali, hosted the inaugural Brilliant Minds Dinner Series. This prestigious event was held in honor of Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former President of Liberia, Africa’s first elected female head of state, and a Nobel Peace Laureate. Produced by Barkue Tubman-Zawolo and MBL Intl Group, the private evening gathered a distinguished group of leaders to celebrate President Sirleaf’s profound legacy and underscore the critical importance of women’s leadership, powerful storytelling, and robust global collaboration.

The dinner served as a poignant tribute to President Sirleaf’s extraordinary journey and her unwavering commitment through the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center). Established in Monrovia, Liberia, the EJS Center is dedicated to fostering women’s public leadership and advancing social development across the African continent. Its flagship program, the Amujae Initiative, is designed to equip and elevate women to serve at the highest echelons of public leadership, thereby sustaining Sirleaf’s legacy of breaking barriers and forging pathways for the next generation of African women leaders. In her remarks, President Sirleaf eloquently stated, “It is Africa’s time,” emphasizing that African leaders are now proactively shaping their own collaborations while inviting global partners to engage in meaningful and equitable ways.

The guest list for this intimate gathering included a diverse mix of influential policymakers, astute investors, and celebrated cultural leaders. Among the attendees were Ashley Bell of Redemption Bank, Mona Scott-Young from Monami Entertainment, Alvin Bekoe of Sanbra City, Rachel Nordlinger representing Actum, Adeola Oredola from Global Business Development at WME, Dora Whitley of The Continental Collective, and the Vice President of Cartier, alongside other visionaries from the spheres of business, philanthropy, and media.

A defining and unexpected moment of the evening was the surprise debut of the draft trailer for President Sirleaf’s forthcoming documentary. This was a momentous occasion, as it marked the first viewing even for Madam Sirleaf herself. What distinguishes this film is its comprehensive approach, chronicling not only her historic presidency but also intimately revealing the personal journey that ultimately led her to that position. The documentary illuminates her path of resilience, the challenges she overcame, and her triumphs—offering a rarely seen, more intimate portrait of Africa’s first female head of state. The impressive list of Executive Producers includes Angela Bassett, Richelieu Dennis, Sam Pollard, and Dr. Jatali Bellanton. Producers include Barkue Tubman-Zawolo, Daniel DiMauro, and Morgan Pehme of Calliope Films. The dinner also provided the platform for Dr. Bellanton to announce her new role as both an Executive Producer and Producer of the documentary, deepening her commitment to amplifying narratives of leadership, resilience, and global transformation.

The evening was punctuated by powerful statements from its key figures. Dr. Bellanton articulated, “When African women come together, we shift narratives, open doors, and create opportunities that transform generations. I am deeply honored to host President Sirleaf and so many brilliant leaders who share a commitment to Africa’s future.” President Sirleaf reiterated her message, affirming, “It is Africa’s time. Our leaders are collaborating and taking ownership of our shared future, while forging partnerships that honor our values and advance progress.”

Dr. Jatali Bellanton is a distinguished Cape Verdean-British financial strategist, angel investor, author, and global entrepreneur. As the founder of Brilliant Minds with Dr. Jatali, she spearheads a platform that meticulously bridges finance, culture, and education to forge opportunities for underrepresented communities. She is also a founding investor in Redemption Bank, dedicated to advancing economic inclusion and global financial transformation, and serves as a respected finance coach with the renowned Earn Your Leisure platform.

The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center), established in 2018, is steadfast in its mission to advance women’s public leadership and social development across Africa. Through impactful initiatives such as the Amujae Initiative, the Center meticulously develops and supports women leaders, empowering them to ascend to the highest echelons of public service and ensuring that Sirleaf’s enduring legacy continues to inspire, empower, and shape Africa’s future.

MBL Intl Group, founded by Liberian-American entrepreneur Barkue Tubman-Zawolo, stands as a global strategy and cultural diplomacy agency. It specializes in crafting experiential platforms, fostering strategic partnerships, and facilitating market expansion that effectively bridges Africa and the world. MBL Intl Group notably produced the Brilliant Minds Dinner Series and continues to represent Dr. Jatali Bellanton’s global initiatives.