Meet Patricia Bebia Mawa: Executive Vice President of Silvertrust Media and Afroglobal Television

An alumna of Algonquin College of Science and Technology, Patricia Bebia Mawa has directed and produced over 15 television programs, published multiple editions of 3 magazines, and currently hosts Planet Africa on OMNI TV. In 2016, she and her husband launched Afroglobal Television, a 24-hour television channel that is currently on Rogers Cable, Bell Fibe, Eastlink, and Telus across Canada. Listed in the Who’s Who in Black Canada, she is a recipient of the Toronto Police Community Service Award, the International Women Achievers Award, the Martin Luther King DreamKeeper Award, and a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

My first job ever… was as host of a television program called Gospel Music Therapy on NTA Calabar in Nigeria.

My proudest accomplishment is… when my husband and I launched Afroglobal Television, a 24-hour television channel which is on Rogers Cable, Bell Fibe, Telus and Eastlink. I do have many other proud moments but what makes this stand out is all of the obstacles we overcame to make it happen.

My boldest move to date was… deciding not to pursue employment opportunities but to go into business full time.

I surprise people when I tell them…. I am a very shy person. I am more comfortable in front of the camera and an audience than in a one-on-one setting.

My advice for people interested in pursuing a career in the television industry is… to be authentic and bring something unique to the table.

My biggest setback was…. when I was fired a week after my wedding. I had taken permission from my boss to drop off my dad at the airport and when I got back, she said the dreaded words, “you are fired.”

I overcame it by… deciding to become a full-time entrepreneur and I have never looked back since.

Work/life balance is… recognizing your limits. Give everything your best but remember to give yourself the best. Knowing when to rest, when to say no and when to overlook certain things is the art of balance. It is not always perfect when you are juggling work and life, it is only perfect when you control only what you can.

“I believe that greater things are ahead. I look forward to the manifestation of the fruits of my labour and to continuing to make my mark on the world.”

My favourite thing about television production is… that I am able to educate, inspire and transform society. A picture speaks a thousand words, but a video speaks a million words!

If you googled me, you still wouldn’t know… that I wanted to become a nun at some point in my life and was in a nunnery studying to become a nun for three years.

I stay inspired by… the next success story I am going to feature.

The future excites me because… I believe that greater things are ahead. I look forward to the manifestation of the fruits of my labour and to continuing to make my mark on the world.

I would tell my 21-year old self…not to focus on her limitations but to capitalize on her strengths.

My next step is… creating innovative digital footprints that will cultivate a no-excuse crop of people who deliver every single time.