Manifesto on our history, our vision
Fair collaboration and the economic growth of Afro-descendants are our values.
In March 2016, I made videos on YouTube with Zola. We made videos of couple debates and talked about the issues that affect Black communities in France (lack of representation in the media and audiovisual content, racism, colorism, depigmentation, the fact of always having to do twice as much as the other...)
After a year on YouTube, I realized that it was going to be difficult to attract paid partnerships and live fully from our content.
Zola and I received very few serious commercial inquiries from advertisers.
They either wanted to give us products (which we didn't need) without paying us in exchange for publicity and leveraging our influence with our growing community. Either we paid ridiculous amounts compared to the work provided, our very committed community.
I said to myself, Aaron, face the facts, it's difficult to live from partnerships only especially when you are a Black influencer. I am not going to blame racism, it is first and foremost an economic problem. It is a fact, Black Influencers have fewer contract proposals, because there are very few Afro advertisers, so very few adapted products and services therefore, they earn less.
In 2017, I therefore had the idea of creating Justfair agency which was originally a network specializing in supporting Afro-descendant influencers because I knew their needs and difficulties.
My goal was to connect Afro influencers with Afro brands. I thought it was the perfect match because there was a problem on both sides.
Indeed, many Afro-descendant entrepreneurs are sorely lacking in visibility to attract as many clients as possible.
Influencers could therefore provide them with the visibility they need by advertising products or services to their communities.
I did not yet know that after a year the project would become much more ambitious and the vision much greater.
I started to meet several successful influencers who were seduced by the project.
It was at the level of Afro brands and advertisers that the first obstacles arose.
Many are not prepared to invest in influencer marketing and other forms of communication - marketing when it is necessary to invest in order for their business to grow.
In addition, they remain small and find it difficult to become profitable SMEs or valued multinationals.
We know that influencers feel valued when contacted by brands with a high reputation.
THE BIRTH OF MAYELA: bringing together Afro-descendants from all over the world around a common goal ...
In 2018, I understood that I had to create a platform that would have the ambition to bring together Afro-descendants from all over the world around a common objective: to solve socio-economic problems (through entrepreneurship, better representation Afro-descendants and collaboration)
With my entrepreneurial experience in the audiovisual industry since 2015 and my experience as an influencer, I started to make this project real.
As influencers we have understood that we must also become an entrepreneur and therefore diversify our sources of income and no longer rely solely on partnerships and AdSense income. This is an approach that I want to pass on to entrepreneurs in the Mayela community.
Mayela will help and support not only creators but also entrepreneurs, artists and associations by offering them; services to increase their social impact, but above all strategic tools to develop the profitability of their activities.
In December 2018, Mayela's prototype was born, a global benchmark platform to avoid switching between several sites or applications.
ACCOMPANIMENT CLOSEST TO YOUR NEEDS. WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT.
As a partner and seller on Mayela, you are never alone, whether you are a newbie entrepreneur or already have some experience.
Our team supports you throughout your growth: the creation of your Mayela page, your first sales, customer loyalty and the daily management of your business through the digital tools made available.
By being part of the Mayela community you will also be able to join discussions with other entrepreneurs in order to share and collaborate together.
You are free to stop using our platform if you are not satisfied. Our offers are adapted, without commitment and without hidden costs, you pay the same amount every month.
AFRO-DESCENDANTS HAVE SEVERAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROBLEMS TO ADDRESS ...
We know and understand the deep issues you face as an Afro-descendant entrepreneur or creator.
Many are struggling to develop and succeed.
We have all heard these sentences:
"Blacks are not in the initiative"
"Businesses created by Afro-descendants have shoddy products and services as well as worst customer service"
"Black consumers can't stand business created by Afro-descendants."
"If you are doing a business, do an open business, aim for all targets except Black because Blacks will not spend."
"Blacks go to businesses that are not owned by Africans. Yet some of these businesses meet their needs, which are mostly unmet."
With Mayela we take up the challenge of deconstructing all these phrases because for years we have noticed a boom in initiatives. The problem being that, we are dispersed and not enough in collaboration.
The truth is that there are enormous economic opportunities otherwise large groups would not create products and services for Afro-Caribbean populations. It makes no sense to be a minority and economically disadvantaged in markets in which Afro-descendants must be in the majority and leaders.
In a Pan-African's logic we want, mutual aid companies, to develop a strong economy in order to develop solidarity and change this unflattering image projected on Africans around the world.
With Mayela, Africans and Afro-descendants will relearn how to consume in a more united and smarter way.
All the tools are in place to connect, educate, develop important companies locally and internationally.
We firmly believe that the major players in this change will be entrepreneurs and thought leaders.
OUR SOLUTION
Our solution is simple: Unite Afro-descendants around a single platform by creating a virtuous and collaborative ecosystem.
1. The MAYELA * smart consumer marketplace which references Black Owned sellers and service providers.
2. The FairPlace : Classifieds and Opportunities.
3. The Safe place : A healthy and safe discussion forum for discussing issues that affect Afro-descendants.
4. Mayela stream : A streaming platform close to your realities, far from clichés. Programs, Films, Series, Documentaries and audio podcasts.
5. Black Discover : Portraits on personalities and important
6. Afropedia : An encyclopedia focused on African, Afro-Caribbean and Afro-American history and cultures
All members can communicate with each other through the chat.
We also offer a talent section, an event calendar, articles on our online magazine.
Several features will come in the future (Mobile application, online fundraising, Afro-Caribbean encyclopedia, connecting tool between mentors and mentees, etc.)
Mayela is a project of reconciliation and unity. There are over 500 million Afro-descendants around the world.
Africans on the continent and in the diasporas must face the challenges and challenges of socio-economic development.
You agree with Mayela's vision if:
- You want to enjoy a new shopping experience and regularly discover new products and quality service
- You wish to participate in a better representation of Blacks throughout the world and the development of the continent with Afro-descendants at the heart of this development.
- You want to see the development of the African audiovisual market
- You want to obtain solutions to develop the profitability of your activity by attracting more customers
- You want to obtain high visibility for your activity.
Things are changing now, not tomorrow. Joining us means acting for a cause much greater than the success of everyone.
OUR TEAM AND ITS STRENGTHS
To implement these solutions and achieve our goals, we have built a dynamic team sharing the same values.
We put our skills in digital marketing, business strategy and audiovisual production for the benefit of the challenges to be met.
In addition to this, you will need to know more about it.
THE FINAL WORD...
We are at the start of something big. In 10 years, we will all be proud to be able to say that we have actively participated.
Do not be a spectator of change, be an actor with us,
Many of you have already joined us and we thank you.
Join the Mayela community!
Aaron M,
CEO
* Mayela means "intelligent" in Kikongo (language of Congo)