As the media landscape evolves, a new wave of entertainment leaders is reshaping how audiences engage with content. Isha Sesay, former CNN international anchor and CEO of Areya Media, is at the forefront, joining forces in vision with Stephen Shaw and Jonathan Linden, co-CEOs of live entertainment powerhouse Round Room Live (RRL). Together, they are connecting audiences to experiences that entertain, educate, and inspire.
Shaw and Linden, who previously collaborated at S2BN Entertainment, have produced arena shows and exhibitions for names like the Rolling Stones, Oprah Winfrey, and Marvel. Their approach turns screen-based content into immersive live experiences. A viral sensation like “Baby Shark” became a 75-minute stage production seen by over 300,000 families, while the hit children’s character Blippi made the leap from tablet to musical theater. Their work extends beyond children’s entertainment, encompassing exhibitions such as Mandela: The Official Exhibition and Tupac Shakur: Wake Me When I’m Free, which combine archival materials, technology, and storytelling to highlight social justice, cultural legacy, and activism.
“These exhibitions are designed not only to celebrate cultural icons but also to illuminate the struggles, triumphs, and legacies that shaped them,” Shaw explains. “We aim to create spaces where people of all ages can learn, reflect, and connect with something larger than themselves.”
Meanwhile, Sesay is transforming the digital landscape for African and global Black communities. As CEO of Areya Media, formerly OkayMedia, she leads platforms like Okayplayer and OkayAfrica, which amplify culturally driven narratives. Under her leadership, Areya has launched Webby Award-winning projects including The Almanac of Rap, a podcast blending history, conversation, and music, alongside Afrobeats Intelligence.
For Sesay, storytelling is a tool for visibility and empowerment. Her own journey—from Sierra Leone to the UK and now the U.S.—shaped her mission to elevate African voices globally. Renaming the company Areya, meaning “sunshine” in Yoruba, she emphasizes bringing Black stories to the forefront and cultivating joy amid challenging times.
Together, Shaw, Linden, and Sesay illustrate how live experiences and multimedia storytelling can engage, educate, and inspire audiences worldwide, redefining entertainment as a platform for connection, culture, and social impact.
