In 2009 my first year making the Vickie Remoe Show, I yearned for recognition or acknowledgment from Sierra Leonean media professionals. I hadn’t come from a media background, so finding myself on TV, I didn’t know if I was on the right track. I needed someone who looked like me to say “hey Vickie nice job” or “you’re on your way,” or “here’s what you can do better”. I never got that from the ones I hoped would see me. Still, thankfully because I was from the diaspora, I could easily connect with and meet foreign media practitioners and journalists freelancing in Sierra Leone who gave me the support and feedback needed. People like Paul Glynn, Luke Wasserman, Fid Thompson, Kimberly Johnson, Steph Malyon, and my brother Peter Moinina Conteh gave me the confidence to keep going. Later, I learned to stop seeking validation from without, but in those early years, it would have meant the world to me for Sierra Leonean media professionals at home and in the diaspora to recognize my work.

Fifteen years later, I’m one of Sierra Leone’s foremost media leaders and what I did not have I want to make sure that others do. I have created the Vickie Remoe Prize to give back to emerging storytellers at home. I’ve also brought together a panel of Sierra Leonean media professionals to evaluate their work and select the best. In May, we will award ten media practitioners in this inaugural edition of the prize. Everyone can not win so to the individuals who have been shortlisted, I want each to know these three things:

1. You’re on your way.

2. I see you and recognize your talent.

3. Don’t ever give up.

Please join me in celebrating this amazing cohort of Sierra Leonean storytellers who #MakeSierraLeoneFamous in this year’s shortlist.

The Vickie Remoe Prize for New Writing Shortlist:

• Ahmed Tejan Cole

• Marian Amaria Bangura

• Morlai Ibrahim

• Dainkeh Kamara

• Ishmail Saidu Kanu

The Vickie Remoe Prize for Photojournalism Shortlist:

• Hassan Bangura

• Benjamin Thoronka

The Vickie Remoe Prize for Videography Shortlist:

• Ishmael Roland Kamara

The Vickie Remoe Prize for Content Creation Shortlist:

• Hannah Ogunade

• Ishmael Roland Kamara

• Ibrahim Kamara

• Musa Kallon

• Issadin Kamara

• Ramatu Tunkara