British-Sierra Leonean photographer and visual artist, Ejatu Shaw, is set to feature this week on African Voices, the flagship magazine programme on CNN International sponsored by Globacom.
Born in 1996, Shaw is a London-based creative who earned a Master’s degree in Photography Arts from the University of Westminster in 2020. Her passion for photography was ignited during a family trip to Sierra Leone in 2013, where she reconnected with her roots.
Deeply inspired by iconic African studio photographers of the 1960s and 1970s—including Malick Sidibé, Sory Sanlé, and Omar Yahia Barram—Shaw’s work explores identity through a compelling blend of her Islamic faith and African heritage. Her artistic journey has evolved into a powerful exploration of ancestry, memory, and self-expression, often using self-portraiture as a central medium.
In recognition of her rising influence, Shaw was named a New Wave Creative by the British Fashion Council in 2025. That same year, she expanded her global footprint by photographing top personalities including Usain Bolt for Puma, Cynthia Erivo for The Guardian, The Sunday Times, and Vogue, as well as Angela Bassett for EBONY. She also designed the album cover for music star Craig David.
Viewers can catch African Voices on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., with repeat broadcasts on Sunday at 3:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and further replays on Monday at 3:00 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.
