Charlene Prempeh is a British-Ghanaian creative force who has transformed the global conversation around culture, diversity, and design. As a writer, entrepreneur, and creative consultant, she has built a remarkable career dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and reshaping how the creative industries perceive innovation and inclusion. Her work sits at the intersection of art, technology, and cultural heritage — fields often seen as distinct — yet she has seamlessly blended them into a new, more holistic creative vision.
With her creative agency A Vibe Called Tech and her powerful voice as a columnist for the Financial Times, Prempeh has reimagined the way brands, institutions, and audiences engage with culture. Her mission extends far beyond aesthetics; she stands for authenticity, representation, and long-term change in how creativity is valued and communicated.
Early Life and Education
Born to Ghanaian parents and raised in Britain, Charlene Prempeh grew up navigating two rich cultural worlds that would later inspire her creative philosophy. From an early age, she was fascinated by the stories embedded in culture — how music, art, and design shape human identity. Her curiosity about society, politics, and art naturally led her to study Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at the University of Oxford, one of the most prestigious and intellectually rigorous courses in the world.
During her time at Oxford, she began developing a deeper understanding of how structures of power influence creative expression. This combination of academic insight and cultural awareness gave her a unique perspective on the role of creativity in society — one that would underpin her later work as a writer and creative strategist.
Career Beginnings in Media and Arts
After graduating, Charlene Prempeh embarked on a career in marketing and communications, working with some of the UK’s leading cultural institutions. Her early roles at the BBC, The Guardian, and Frieze Magazine gave her firsthand experience of the creative industry’s inner workings. These environments also exposed her to the lack of diversity and representation that persisted in British media and art spaces.
Her ability to bridge gaps between creative disciplines quickly became her strength. She developed a deep understanding of how storytelling could be used as a tool for connection and inclusion. Each step of her career helped her refine her ability to translate complex cultural ideas into accessible, emotionally resonant narratives — a skill that would later become central to her entrepreneurial ventures.
Founding of A Vibe Called Tech
In 2018, Charlene Prempeh founded A Vibe Called Tech, a creative agency and art consultancy driven by an intersectional approach to design and communication. The agency’s name itself pays homage to the cultural influence of hip-hop and its power to merge art, technology, and identity.
A Vibe Called Tech was born out of a clear vision: to create space for diverse perspectives within creative and technological industries. The agency challenges conventional ideas of creativity by placing cultural intelligence at the heart of strategy. Its projects often explore how brands and institutions can communicate meaningfully with audiences through inclusive design and authentic representation.
Under Prempeh’s leadership, A Vibe Called Tech has collaborated with major brands, fashion houses, and cultural institutions such as Whitechapel Gallery, White Cube, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The agency’s approach combines research, design, and storytelling — ensuring that every project resonates deeply with its intended audience while remaining socially conscious.
Writing and Journalism
Alongside her work as an entrepreneur, Charlene Prempeh is a respected journalist and columnist. She is best known for her contributions to HTSI, the culture and design supplement of the Financial Times, where her column “The Kudos Project” shines a spotlight on Black creatives, designers, and innovators. Through her writing, she has built a platform for voices that are often overlooked in mainstream design conversations.
Her articles are celebrated for their thought-provoking insights and eloquent storytelling. She explores topics ranging from fashion and sustainability to architecture and visual culture — always examining how identity and heritage influence creative practice. Prempeh’s work is marked by a keen awareness of how culture shapes design, and how design, in turn, shapes society.
Her writing is not merely about aesthetic trends; it delves into the politics of visibility and the need to challenge dominant narratives within creative industries. This commitment to intellectual depth and cultural honesty has made her one of the most respected voices in contemporary cultural journalism.
“Now You See Me: 100 Years of Black Design”
In 2023, Charlene Prempeh released her debut book Now You See Me: 100 Years of Black Design, a groundbreaking exploration of Black contributions to global design over the past century. The book documents the stories of designers, architects, and artists whose work has often been overlooked or erased from design history.
Now You See Me serves as both a celebration and a correction — an effort to reinsert Black creativity into the historical narrative. The book covers a wide range of disciplines, from fashion and furniture to architecture and graphic design, showing how Black visionaries have influenced modern aesthetics in profound ways.
Prempeh’s meticulous research and beautifully crafted prose make the book not just an archive but a movement in itself. It encourages readers to question why certain stories are remembered while others are forgotten and challenges institutions to be more inclusive in how they curate and document creative history.
Vision and Philosophy
At the heart of Charlene Prempeh’s work lies a philosophy of intersectionality — the understanding that creativity cannot be separated from identity, politics, or culture. She believes that design should not simply reflect beauty but communicate truth and foster belonging.
For Prempeh, diversity is not a corporate buzzword but a creative imperative. She argues that genuine innovation emerges from cultural exchange and collaboration among people with different backgrounds and perspectives. This belief drives both her writing and her consultancy work.
She often speaks about the need to move beyond tokenism in the creative industries. Her vision calls for structural change — where inclusion is embedded in creative processes, not added as an afterthought. Through her agency and thought leadership, she continues to push for a future where creative excellence and cultural diversity coexist naturally.
Leadership and Influence
Charlene Prempeh’s influence extends beyond her own ventures. She has served as a Non-Executive Director at Tate Enterprises, the commercial arm of the Tate galleries, and as a trustee of the Contemporary Arts Society. These positions highlight the trust and respect she has earned within the art and design community.
She has also chaired the committee for Frieze 91, an initiative connected to the world-renowned Frieze Art Fair, where she has helped shape conversations around accessibility and representation in contemporary art. Her leadership style blends creative vision with social responsibility — a combination that has made her a mentor and role model for emerging creatives.
Prempeh’s voice is also influential in public discussions about the future of design and technology. She frequently participates in panel discussions, lectures, and interviews, where she advocates for inclusivity, sustainability, and creativity as tools for societal progress.
Cultural Impact
The impact of Charlene Prempeh’s work can be seen across multiple sectors — from art and fashion to technology and publishing. Through A Vibe Called Tech, she has influenced how brands think about storytelling and representation. Through her writing, she has brought visibility to Black creativity on a global stage. And through her book, she has contributed to rewriting the cultural canon of design history.
Her achievements illustrate how one person can change the narrative of entire industries. By bridging creative disciplines and challenging traditional power structures, she has inspired a generation of artists, designers, and entrepreneurs to embrace their unique cultural identities and use them as a source of creative strength.
Prempeh’s approach demonstrates that diversity is not just a moral necessity but a driver of innovation. Her work reminds us that the most powerful ideas often emerge from the meeting of cultures, experiences, and perspectives.
Legacy and Future Vision
As she continues to expand her creative practice, Charlene Prempeh’s future promises even greater influence. She represents a new kind of leader — one who uses creativity as a force for cultural transformation. Her ongoing projects continue to explore how technology, art, and heritage can be integrated to create more equitable and meaningful experiences.
Prempeh’s legacy lies not only in what she has built but in the space she has opened for others to thrive. Her example shows that creativity is most powerful when it is inclusive, authentic, and driven by purpose. In an era where diversity and representation are at the forefront of cultural discourse, her work stands as both a guide and an inspiration.
Conclusion
Charlene Prempeh is more than a writer, entrepreneur, or creative consultant — she is a visionary redefining the landscape of design and culture. Through her agency A Vibe Called Tech, her journalism, and her book Now You See Me, she continues to challenge the status quo and celebrate the richness of diverse creativity.
Her story is one of persistence, innovation, and cultural pride. In a world hungry for authentic voices and meaningful design, Charlene Prempeh has emerged as one of the leading figures shaping the future of creativity — where technology, identity, and art exist in perfect harmony.
