08/03/2026
Meet Isatou Barry, Deputy Director at Banjul Youth Diplomats.
Isatou Barry is a Gambian filmmaker, journalist, media professional, and youth diplomat whose work bridges storytelling, media development, and social advocacy. She is passionate about using media as a powerful tool to educate, empower communities, and amplify underrepresented voices.
She completed her secondary education at SOS Hermann Gmeiner Technical Senior Secondary School before pursuing an Advanced Diploma in Banking and Finance at the Management Development Institute (MDI) in The Gambia. Guided by her growing interest in media and communication, she later studied Mass Communication and Journalism at the Stratford School of Management, laying the foundation for her career in journalism and filmmaking.
Isatou began her creative journey as an actress and gained international recognition for her role in the Nigerian-Gambian film The Mirror Boy (2011). She later expanded into filmmaking, scriptwriting, and multimedia production, directing her first short documentary, Beyond Limitations (2020), which explored social challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She is also the founder of the Alive Media Institute, an initiative focused on training young people in digital media and storytelling.
In addition to her media career, Isatou is a seasoned youth diplomat and was the first country representative from The Gambia at the International Youth Diplomacy Conference in Ghana, where she represented Gambian youth in global discussions on leadership and development. In recognition of her contributions toward the growth and development of the organization, she was acknowledged in a publication released by the International Youth Diplomacy Conference Ghana in 2025.
Currently, Isatou serves as a news reporter at QTV Gambia, one of the country’s leading media houses. She also holds the position of Head of Media and Communications at Let’s Fight Endo Gambia, a foundation dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for women affected by endometriosis.
Through journalism, filmmaking, diplomacy, and advocacy, Isatou Barry continues to champion impactful storytelling and social change while inspiring the next generation of creatives and leaders across Africa.
Celebrating the amazing woman you are and all that you do. Happy International Women’s Day.
