There are people who move through rooms and then there are those who shift them. Tsehaitu “Tubi” Retta carries the kind of presence that does both. Grounded, intentional, and deeply committed to the work of building systems that centre women, her voice sits at the intersection of policy, culture and impact.

At The Leading Vibe Initiative event, that perspective felt especially resonant. Positioned at the intersection of music, culture and opportunity, the platform reflects a growing recognition that Africa’s creative economy is not just expanding, it’s defining global culture but as Retta points out, growth without inclusion is a missed opportunity.

“The continent’s creative economy is growing rapidly and generating enormous cultural and economic value on the global stage, with music at the center of that growth but if the infrastructure we build around this moment isn’t inclusive of women in decision-making and leadership roles, we will repeat the same exclusions that have defined other industries.”

It’s a perspective shaped by years of working at the highest levels of global advocacy, from her time in the White House supporting First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let Girls Learn initiative, to her current role as Deputy Director of the Girls Opportunity Alliance at the Obama Foundation. In each space, the throughline has remained the same: access is not enough without structure and opportunity must be designed to last.

That thinking extends naturally into culture. For Retta, music is not separate from the broader conversation around gender equality, it is central to it.

“Music is a huge driver of culture around the world. It shapes social norms, our perceptions, and our beliefs. What people see as possible, how women are perceived and valued and what is accepted across society.”

It’s a reminder that what we see and hear doesn’t just reflect society, it actively shapes it and when women are positioned at the centre of that creation, the impact extends far beyond the industry itself.

“That’s why who is shaping culture matters. When women are leading in music and creative spaces, they are helping define those norms in real time. It expands representation, shifts perception and opens up new possibilities.”

The Leading Vibe Initiative exists within this shift, not just as a moment, but as a mechanism. A space where access, community and leadership are being built simultaneously, ensuring that women are not just part of the conversation but driving it.

That kind of work requires alignment and in this case, it’s supported by a spirit that has long moved alongside music and culture. With Hennessy’s partnership, the initiative is backed by both legacy and reach but more importantly, by intention.

“Corporate partnerships like this matter because they bring the capital and reach needed to expand opportunity at scale. There’s a real difference between a brand showing up for visibility and one showing up with genuine investment.”

It’s in that distinction that meaningful collaboration lives in participation that actively contributes to change.

Still, Retta is clear that the work is far from done. For all the visibility surrounding African talent, particularly in music, the underlying barriers remain deeply structural.

“The gaps are structural: limited access to funding and production tools, underrepresentation in decision-making roles and a culture that often prioritizes image over craft.”

Yet, her approach is not rooted in limitation, but in possibility. In building ecosystems that address these challenges holistically, creating pathways that are not only accessible but sustainable.

Beyond the systems, there is also the individual journey. The quiet, often unseen process of finding your voice in spaces that may not immediately make room for it.

“Finding your voice is a practice. It requires you to keep showing up, even when the room doesn’t look like you, even when the path isn’t clearly marked.”

It’s a sentiment that reflects both her work and her presence. Steady. Intentional. Uncompromising in its belief that women deserve more than just access but also authorship.

Perhaps that’s what makes Tubi Retta’s voice so necessary at this moment. She understands that culture, policy and power are not separate conversations, they are deeply connected and when women are supported across all three, the result is transformation.