NEW NARRATIVES,
UNTOLD STORIES
WAX and GOLD is a Los Angeles-based media and entertainment company founded by Prince Joel and Princess Ariana Makonnen focused on powerful Black stories that inspire global audiences. Our work offers a fresh take on Africa and its Diaspora by developing & producing films, TV series, books and digital content that help shape a new narrative for the continent. Inspired by our own story, which is a marriage of Africa, America, and the Caribbean, Wax and Gold's broader aim is to connect the global Black diaspora.
Why ‘Wax and Gold’?
Wax and Gold (ሰምና ወርቅ : sem-enna werq) is a concept from Ethiopian poetry. Taken literally, it refers to the goldsmith’s technique of casting pieces by making a clay mould around a wax core, draining the wax and then pouring in the molten gold. In poetic form, however, this technique has been used for centuries to deliver hidden messages (the “Gold”)—secrets, criticisms of power, insults, subversive humor, and more—by concealing them inside the apparent message (the “Wax”).
Our Team
Connect with Joel:
Joel Makonnen
Founder and CEO
Joel Makonnen is an attorney, author, Film/TV producer, and the great-grandson of His Majesty Haile Selassie I, the last emperor of Ethiopia. As Co-Founder of Wax & Gold, he oversees business and legal affairs. He is the author of the Last Gate of the Emperor series (Scholastic) and a graduate of American University and Howard University School of Law.
Connect with Ariana:Ariana Makonnen
Founder and Creative Director
Ariana Makonnen is a writer and producer shaping culture-forward stories for wide audiences. She co-founded Wax and Gold where she heads creative and editorial. Previously, she launched Washington, DC’s largest arts festival, Art All Night and advised foundations on storytelling for impact. She is a graduate of Harvard University.
Connect with Mahelet:Mahelet Gezachew
Development Executive & Producer
Mahelet Gezachew leads development across film, TV, and brand partnerships at Wax & Gold, and produces our digital originals end to end. Previously, she’s held positions at Marvel Studios, Nike’s Sports Film Label, ARRAY Filmworks, and Ethiopia’s leading digital media platform, D!NK TV.