Innovative’s Josiah Akinyele Joins ColorCreative As Manager

EXCLUSIVE: Veteran talent agent Josiah Akinyele is leaving Innovative Artists after 17 years to transition to management. He has joined ColorCreative, the management and production company co-founded by Issa Rae, Deniese Davis, and Talitha Watkins, as a manger. Akinyele will report to ColorCreative President Talitha Watkins.

The roster of clients Akinyele is bringing with him features a number of actors he had represented as an agent for many years. The list includes Perry Mattfeld (Chad Powers, 99ers), Cam Gigandet (Hunting Wives), Kevin Carroll (Window’s Bay) — co-managed with Susanna Griffith — Yetide (American Gods), Julie Ann Emery (Better Call Saul, Preacher), Shane Paul Mcghie (The Last Shift), Michael Hyatt (Snowfall), Toby Onwumere (Matrix Revolutions, Sense8), Ali Gallo (Forever, Incoming), Bonko Khoza (The Nowhere Man), Connor Duermit (Invisible Woman), Elijah Jones III (Henry V, Crowded Room), and Benjamin Anthony Anderson (Broadway’s Stereophpnic).

ColorCreative, launched with a mission to champion innovative and inclusive entertainment, also has promoted Wyatt Allen to manager working across film, television, digital creators, touring and intellectual property.

Born in Champaign, IL, to Nigerian parents, Akinyele grew up in Nigeria before moving back to the US to attended George Washington University.

Following internships with TV producer Marty Adelstein and TV executive Michael Thorn, Akinyele got a job in the Innovative Artists mailroom. He rose through the assistant ranks and was promoted to agent in 2012 when he started off by signing actors out of drama school programs.

“I am excited for this new chapter in my life,” Akinyele said. “I have always admired what Talitha & the crew at ColorCreative has been building, and I’m excited to join in that endeavor.”