Adamma and Adanne Ebo: Shaping the Future of African Diaspora Cinema
You’ve likely heard the saying, “Write what you know.” But what if what you know isn’t just one identity or one place but a fascinating blend of two cultures, generations of Black history, and a deep connection to a global diaspora? For Adamma and Adanne Ebo, twin sisters and filmmakers, their personal narrative—a unique intersection of Southern Black American life and Nigerian heritage—hasn’t just shaped their own journey; it’s reshaping the cultural landscape.
Learn How to Leverage Your Story through our Story To Asset Transformation (S.A.T) Framework.
What are Top Diaspora Influencers & Creative Entrepreneurs?
Top Diaspora Influencers & Creative Entrepreneurs is a publication series by Obehi Ewanfoh, born from his dedication to spotlighting individuals within the African diaspora community who are shaping a brighter future and leaving a meaningful legacy for generations to come.
After conducting over a thousand interviews through his podcast, The Obehi Podcast, and over a decade of research with professionals and business leaders across the diaspora, Obehi was inspired to launch this series within AClasses Media to celebrate the impactful work of these influencers and entrepreneurs.
Each week, he curates stories of individuals whose contributions serve as powerful sources of inspiration and valuable lessons for others.
At AClasses, we believe that the change we strive for can only be realized through the collective contributions and active participation of diverse members within the African diaspora community. This is the core purpose of this series.
Creating Stories That Speaks To Millions Across The Globe
In a world where borders, generational gaps, and diverse experiences often divide the African diaspora, how do two storytellers merge these identities to create something that resonates with millions worldwide? How can two women, raised in an immigrant family, use their creativity to explore universal themes of faith, family, and identity in ways that connect with both Southern Black Americans and Nigerians? These are the questions Adamma and Adanne Ebo are answering, one film at a time.
Their debut feature film, Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul., a biting satire of the Southern Black church, resonates deeply with African diaspora communities around the world, offering both humor and profound social commentary.
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. is a sharp 2022 mockumentary comedy marking Adamma Ebo’s feature directorial debut. A feature-length adaptation of her 2018 short film, it stars Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown as the first lady and pastor of a megachurch attempting to rebuild after a scandal.
The film also features Austin Crute, Nicole Beharie, and Conphidance in supporting roles. Hall and Brown produce alongside Daniel Kaluuya under his 59% Productions banner, with Jordan Peele as executive producer through Monkeypaw Productions.
With their success in Hollywood, backed by powerhouse names like Jordan Peele and Daniel Kaluuya, the Ebo twins are fast becoming not only formidable filmmakers but also key influencers within the global African diaspora.
The sisters’ unique take on cultural storytelling is far from ordinary: it’s rooted in their upbringing, in Atlanta, where their American Southern upbringing met the rich traditions of Nigerian heritage, even as they navigated the complexities of being “African enough” for one side of the family and too “American” for the other.
If you’re an African diaspora creative entrepreneur—someone seeking to leave a lasting legacy in your community—you’ll find a wealth of inspiration in their story.
The Making of “Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul”
When you first encounter Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul., you might think it’s a typical Hollywood satire. But there’s something deeply personal at its core. Written and directed by Adamma Ebo, and produced by both her and her twin sister Adanne, the film is a satirical mockumentary about a fallen pastor of a megachurch in Atlanta and his determined wife.
Played by Sterling K. Brown and Regina Hall, their characters portray a scandal-ridden duo attempting a public comeback, which provides ample room for humor, social critique, and a deep look into the invisible labor of women within the church community.
What makes the Ebo sisters’ approach particularly striking is how they manage to layer this comedy with powerful reflections on faith, power dynamics, and gender roles—topics that are at the forefront of discussions within both the African American and Nigerian communities.
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As Adamma points out, the Southern Black church and the Nigerian church culture have surprising overlaps, despite their apparent dissonance. “There’s a lot of dissonance between the two cultures,” Adamma notes, “but then there’s also a lot of overlap.
Church is one of them.” For the Ebo sisters, the Black church is not just a spiritual hub but a cultural center—something that has helped anchor African American communities for centuries.
But the film isn’t just about religious life—it’s also about community, sacrifice, and legacy. The invisible labor that women like Regina Hall’s character, Trinitie Childs, undertake in sustaining the church is something that resonates with many within the African diaspora.
It speaks directly to the underrecognized contributions of women across the world. By highlighting this narrative, the Ebo twins are doing something crucial: they’re amplifying voices that are often marginalized, not just within church culture but within global conversations about gender and labor.
This balance of humor and social awareness provides a unique entry point into African diaspora conversations. Both Southern Black Americans and Nigerians have rich, intertwined histories with faith and religion, but there’s always a deeper layer—the struggle of balancing cultural identity with modern life, of negotiating community expectations with personal aspirations.
By centering those nuanced experiences, Honk for Jesus allows audiences to engage with the complexities of being Black in both the American South and in Africa.
The African Diaspora Lens: Melding Two Worlds
As children of an American mother and a Nigerian father, Adamma and Adanne have always navigated the intricate balance between two worlds. Growing up in Atlanta, a city with a rich African American cultural history, and living in a household shaped by Nigerian traditions, the twins had to reconcile seemingly disparate aspects of their identities.
They weren’t fully “African enough” for some members of their Nigerian family, but also, as Adamma humorously puts it, they didn’t “fit in” with other African American kids either. These feelings of not quite belonging to either side are a shared experience for many second-generation children of African immigrants.
This theme is also explored in the work of Obehi Ewanfoh, whose years of research on the African presence in northern Italy culminated in two impactful books: The Journey: Africans in Verona and The Color of Our Children.
Quite generally, it’s fair to say that this tension between identities is one that resonates deeply with the African diaspora community, especially creatives. Whether you’re based in the U.S., the Caribbean, the UK, or anywhere in between, this negotiation of identity plays a critical role in shaping the art, stories, and businesses of African diaspora entrepreneurs.
What makes the Ebo sisters’ work particularly relevant is how they openly explore these cultural divides, using them as a tool for storytelling. They draw on their lived experiences to create stories that resonate with others who find themselves in similar situations.
Their work speaks to those who grapple with the complexities of dual cultural identities, a dynamic that plays a central role in diaspora communities worldwide.
Their approach is particularly important when it comes to film. In 2021, the Motion Picture Association reported that African Americans accounted for approximately 14 percent of moviegoers in the U.S., and the global demand for African diaspora narratives has continued to rise.
From Nollywood to Hollywood, from Afrobeat to hip-hop, the global African diaspora is not only consuming media at increasing rates but is also beginning to shape it. The Ebo twins’ success, therefore, represents more than just individual achievement—it is part of a larger movement of African diaspora creators stepping into spaces once dominated by other cultural norms and narratives.
Cinematic Influences: A Fusion of Anime and Hood Cinema
What makes the Ebo twins’ approach to storytelling even more fascinating is their wide array of influences. While many filmmakers draw from their personal histories, Adamma and Adanne blend elements of their cultural heritage with unconventional sources.
Both sisters cite Japanese anime, particularly Kiki’s Delivery Service, as a major influence. There’s a quiet yet intense beauty in anime’s depiction of space and time, and this sense of stillness during moments of chaos resonates deeply with Adamma, who writes with that same sense of tension.
Additionally, they are deeply inspired by Black “hood classics” like Baby Boy and Juice. These films, while beloved by Black audiences, often do not receive the same recognition as their mainstream counterparts.
Yet they represent a particular truth about Black life in America, one that is rarely explored with the depth and sensitivity the Ebo twins bring to the table. By blending these influences, the Ebo sisters create stories that feel both deeply familiar and refreshingly new.
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Their work challenges traditional storytelling structures, providing room for more nuanced depictions of Black life.
This fusion of influences, from Japanese anime to Black American film culture, allows the Ebo sisters to reach audiences on multiple levels. They not only offer representation but also provide a space for people within the African diaspora to see themselves reflected in an expansive, multifaceted way—whether it’s through the lens of spirituality, identity, or gender.
Empowering the Next Generation of African Diaspora Creatives
Adamma and Adanne’s story is one that extends far beyond their personal accomplishments. In 2022, they signed a multi-year deal with Disney Television Studios, marking a major milestone in their careers.
But their success isn’t just about them—it’s about the doors they’re opening for other creatives from the African diaspora. Their achievements have demonstrated that it’s possible to carve out a space in mainstream Hollywood while maintaining a strong sense of cultural identity.
For the next generation of African diaspora entrepreneurs, the Ebo sisters’ rise to prominence is an example of possibility.
Their work is a true representation of what it means to build a legacy—one that is tied to the community, grounded in culture, and shaped by the complexities of the global African experience.
And with their own production company, Ejime (meaning “twin” in Igbo), the Ebo twins are actively shaping the future of African diaspora film and media. They aren’t just creating content; they’re creating a platform for other Black creatives, ensuring that their legacy will extend far beyond their own names.
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As African diaspora communities continue to grow in prominence, the Ebo sisters’ story is a sign of the power of creativity, resilience, and community. And for creatives who seek to make a positive impact and build legacies that will shape future generations, the twins offer both inspiration and a blueprint for success.
Conclusion: Legacy in the Making
We can conclude this by saying that Adamma and Adanne Ebo’s rise to prominence within the global film industry is more than just a tale of personal achievement. it’s a symbol of the immense potential within African diaspora creatives to shape their own narratives and industries.
As they continue to break down barriers and elevate diverse voices, their impact will be felt not only in Hollywood but across the global cultural landscape. And remember this, the stories we tell shape the world we inherit. It’s time to write, film, and dream boldly.
Learn How to Leverage Your Story through our Story To Asset Transformation (S.A.T) Framework.
