Chude Jideonwo is host of #WithChude, one of Africa’s most watched talk shows and #WithChudeLive, Africa’s biggest talk concert. He has been a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, CNBC Young Business Leader of the Year, an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow, a World Fellow at Yale University and Creative-In-Residence at the London School of Economics. In 2025, he announced the Fourthmainland Fund, with which he will personally invest $500,000 in African creators as the future of independent media on the continent. His writing and work have been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, The Huffington Post, and The Financial Times. His latest book, ‘How Depression Saved My Life’ has been published by Narrative Landscape.

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

What excites me most about judging for The Telly Awards is that’s it’s another opportunity to witness and celebrate how creators around the world are telling stories that shape culture, shift perception, and spark empathy. I’ve always believed that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have to change how people see themselves and their communities and The Telly Awards continues to honour that power in remarkable ways.

It’s inspiring to see creators pushing boundaries, using new technologies, and bringing authenticity to screens of all kinds. Being part of the process that recognises and uplifts such creativity is a privilege I deeply value.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

Host, #WithChude syndicated talk show; Chair, Fourthmainland Creator Fund

The ability to invest in creators from across Africa, being at the forefront of a new movement in the creative industry.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

Fourth Mainland Creator Fund