Jan-Willem Breure attends Global People Awards 2024: Talks diversity with Omroep Zwart Akwasi Owusu Ansah

On December 14, 2024, Jan-Willem Breure and Akwasi Owusu Ansah attended the Global People Awards at Huis ter Duin in Noordwijk. The event, which celebrates diversity and excellence in leadership, drew influential figures from across sectors. The presence of Breure and Akwasi was a significant highlight, as they engaged in discussions about potential collaborations between the Septimius Awards and Omroep Zwart.

Jan-Willem Breure is the director and founder of the Septimius Awards, a platform committed to promoting diversity within the global film industry. Akwasi Owusu Ansah, founder of Omroep Zwart, leads a Dutch public broadcaster dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices. Their meeting at the Global People Awards centered on exploring ways to combine their efforts to foster greater inclusion and create new opportunities for emerging talent.

During the red-carpet segment of the event, Breure highlighted the critical role of diversity in driving innovation and progress. His emphasis on creating opportunities for talent resonated with the ethos of the Global People Awards, which recognize leaders who promote inclusion. Breure’s remarks reaffirmed his ongoing commitment to breaking down barriers and offering a platform for voices that have historically been underrepresented.

The shared goals of Breure and Akwasi sparked interest among attendees. The possibility of aligning the missions of the Septimius Awards and Omroep Zwart drew attention from industry insiders and creative professionals present at the event. Many saw the potential collaboration as a way to bridge gaps between the media and film industries, further amplifying the reach of both initiatives.

The Global People Awards, founded by Melvin Tjoe Nij, provided an ideal backdrop for such discussions. As an event that spotlights individuals and organizations driving positive change, it aligned with the missions of both Breure and Akwasi. Tjoe Nij’s work in establishing the Global People Awards has been widely praised for its role in promoting diversity and leadership. Breure’s admiration for Tjoe Nij’s vision was evident, as he recognized the value of such platforms in fostering meaningful change.

The event also offered a broader reflection on the progress being made toward diversity and inclusion. With prominent leaders like Breure and Akwasi in attendance, conversations naturally turned toward future opportunities for joint initiatives. Industry stakeholders viewed the dialogue as a promising sign of growth in representation and access for emerging creators and entrepreneurs.

Breure’s role as founder of the Septimius Awards has consistently placed him at the forefront of efforts to bring about systemic change in the film industry. His strategy has focused on recognizing films and creators from a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds. The potential collaboration with Omroep Zwart could extend this approach to television and media, leveraging both platforms’ influence to broaden the scope of representation.

For Akwasi, the mission of Omroep Zwart aligns seamlessly with Breure’s vision. By creating media that prioritizes underrepresented stories, Omroep Zwart seeks to reshape narratives within Dutch media and offer greater visibility to diverse voices. Collaborating with the Septimius Awards would allow for cross-industry projects that emphasize shared goals, such as talent development, storytelling, and audience engagement.

The Global People Awards 2024 served as a pivotal moment in this ongoing push for inclusivity. The symbolic presence of Breure, Akwasi, and Tjoe Nij at the same event signaled a growing recognition of the need for collaborative action. Their shared focus on leadership and diversity exemplifies the broader industry shift toward increased representation and equity.

By the end of the night, it was clear that the discussions between Breure and Akwasi were more than just talk. Their exchange hinted at concrete steps toward a partnership that could reshape the landscape of media and film. Industry onlookers left with a sense of anticipation, eager to see how their combined efforts might manifest in future initiatives. As diversity and inclusion remain top priorities across creative sectors, the potential collaboration between the Septimius Awards and Omroep Zwart stands as a beacon of progress.