Jim Marous
Co-Publisher, The Financial Brand | Owner & Publisher, Digital Banking Report | Host, Banking Transformed Podcast | Top 5 Banking Influencer | White House Banking Advisor
Yetide Badaki
Nigerian-American Actress, Writer & Producer | Star of American Gods, This Is Us & Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Executive Producer & Star of Queen Nzinga (Starz)
Yetide Badaki is one of the most compelling storytellers bridging Africa, Hollywood and the global stage. A Nigerian-American actress, writer and producer best known for American Gods, This Is Us and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, she will star as legendary warrior queen Nzinga for Starz. On stage, she shows leaders how story shapes culture, business and identity, and why the African continent will define the next chapter of entertainment and tech.
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Yetide Badaki biography
Yetide Badaki is a Nigerian-American actress, writer and producer whose work moves fluidly between Hollywood, the global stage and the African storytelling tradition that shaped her. Born in Ibadan, Nigeria, she lived between Nigeria and England before settling in the United States at the age of twelve. She is a graduate of McGill University with a major in English Literature (Theater) and a minor in Environmental Science, and holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from Illinois State University.
Entertainment speaker Yetide Badaki first earned wide recognition with a 2006 Jeff Award nomination for Best Actress in a Principal Role for I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady from Rwanda. She went on to deliver a critically acclaimed performance as Bilquis on three seasons of American Gods, where her character was significantly expanded from Neil Gaiman’s novel. In 2018, she joined the cast of NBC’s This Is Us in the recurring role of Chi Chi. She has also played Neera Ketoul, an Illyrian attorney, in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s mother in the Disney+ biographical film Rise.
From American Gods to Executive Producing Queen Nzinga
Beyond acting, Yetide is an emerging force behind the camera. She wrote, produced and starred in the acclaimed short film In Hollywoodland, a reimagining of Alice in Wonderland set in present-day Los Angeles, which premiered at the Bentonville Film Festival. She is developing Naija Vamp, a Nigerian vampire universe spanning a comic series and a TV series, with Prentice Penny and Sebastian A. Jones.
Her most ambitious project to date is Queen Nzinga, a premium drama series for Starz in which she will star as the legendary 17th-century African warrior queen of Ndongo and Matamba. She executive produces the project alongside Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Steven S. DeKnight and Mo Abudu, bringing one of Africa’s most formidable historical figures to a global audience.
As a speaker, Yetide Badaki gives senior audiences a rare lens on the future of storytelling, identity and global culture. She speaks with authority on the rise of Africa as the next center of gravity for entertainment and technology, the power of personal narrative as a leadership tool, and how organizations can harness story to deepen connection, drive impact and build relevance with the audiences of tomorrow. Attendees leave inspired, sharpened and equipped to wield story as a strategic asset in any field.
Yetide Badaki Speaking Videos
Bilquis Interview with Yetide Badaki | American Gods - Season 3
Take the Lead | Yetide Badaki | STARZ
Yetide Badaki Keynote Topics
By 2030, roughly 40% of the world's youth population will be African. Drawing on her own journey from Ibadan to Hollywood and her work on Queen Nzinga, Yetide explores how the most forward-thinking companies in entertainment, technology and consumer brands are already positioning themselves at the intersection of African storytelling, talent and audiences. A vital session for any leader thinking about the next decade of global growth and cultural relevance.
Audiences buy stories, not features. Yetide shares hard-won insights from a career spent moving people across stage, screen and the page, and translates them into practical tools leaders can use to strengthen brands, sharpen pitches, motivate teams and create the kind of emotional resonance that turns transactions into long-term relationships.
Everyone you know is telling a story, whether they realize it or not, and the most powerful leaders know how to shape theirs with intention. Yetide offers a treatise on how to master personal story and use it in any field or business, drawing on her work as an actress, writer and producer to help audiences see how identity, narrative and influence are built one story at a time.
A panoramic talk on why Africa will increasingly shape the global cultural and commercial conversation. Yetide connects demographic shifts, the rise of African creators, the global appetite for African stories and the growing footprint of platforms investing on the continent, offering leaders a clear-eyed view of where opportunity is heading and what strategies will define the next era.
Drawing on her evolution from acclaimed actress to executive producer and writer, Yetide pulls back the curtain on what it takes to build culturally resonant IP across film, television and comics. A behind-the-scenes look at creative leadership, taking ownership of one's voice and lessons every leader can apply when bringing original ideas into the world.
FAQs on Booking Yetide Badaki
Why Yetide Badaki?
Booking Yetide Badaki is a powerful decision for any event focused on storytelling, culture, leadership and the future of global entertainment. A celebrated Nigerian-American actress, writer and producer with credits across American Gods, This Is Us, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Disney+'s Rise, Yetide brings a perspective shaped by three continents and decades on stage and screen. She is now executive producing and starring in Queen Nzinga for Starz, alongside 50 Cent and Mo Abudu, putting her at the center of the cultural conversation about Africa's expanding influence on global media. Her ability to connect personal story, identity and strategy makes her an exceptional choice for events on entertainment, diversity and inclusion, leadership, brand storytelling, and the future of global culture.
What is Yetide Badaki known for in American Gods and This Is Us?
Yetide Badaki is best known for her performance as Bilquis, the Queen of Sheba, on Starz's American Gods, where she appeared in all three seasons and was widely praised for a role significantly expanded from Neil Gaiman's novel. She also played the recurring role of Chi Chi on NBC's This Is Us in 2018. Her work in television and film has positioned her as one of the most distinctive voices among a new generation of African and African-diaspora storytellers in Hollywood.
What is Queen Nzinga on Starz?
Queen Nzinga is a premium drama series in development at Starz that tells the legendary 17th-century story of Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba, who waged a 40-year guerrilla war against Portuguese colonial subjugation in present-day Angola. Yetide Badaki will star as Nzinga and executive produce the series alongside Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Steven S. DeKnight and Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu, bringing one of Africa's most formidable historical figures to a global audience.
What topics does keynote speaker Yetide Badaki cover?
Yetide Badaki speaks on storytelling as a bridge between Africa and the world, the rise of Africa as the next frontier for entertainment, technology and global business, how organizations can use story to heighten impact and build deeper connections, and stories as the architecture of personal and professional reality. Her talks resonate with audiences in entertainment, media, marketing, leadership, diversity and inclusion, and global affairs. To book Yetide Badaki for your next keynote, fireside chat, moderated Q&A or panel, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau.
How to book Yetide Badaki as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Yetide Badaki as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Yetide Badaki's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Yetide Badaki or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Yetide Badaki speaking fee?
Yetide Badaki speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Yetide Badaki to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Yetide Badaki.
How can I contact Yetide Badaki?
We only work with Yetide Badaki on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Yetide Badaki and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Yetide Badaki speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Yetide Badaki for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Yetide Badaki for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Yetide Badaki is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Yetide Badaki for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
