Draft:Nicola Paparusso

Nicola Paparusso (born 7 November 1963) is an Italian talent manager, film producer, and activist against racism. He is best known for being the manager of influencer Khaby Lame and the founder of Paparusso Communication, a company that creates, produces, distributes, finances, and markets film and television content.

Early Life and Education
Paparusso was born on 7 November 1963 in Lecce, Italy. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in administration, both from the Federico II University in Naples.

Career
During the 15th Legislature, Paparusso served as Legislative Adviser to the Chairman of the Senate Defense Committee and, later, to the Chairman of the Italian Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

As a talent manager, Paparusso represents Khaby Lame, one of the most popular social media influencers worldwide. Lame is known for his short, comical videos on TikTok and Instagram, which have garnered him millions of followers.

Paparusso wrote and produced the television program "Sua Eccellenza Italia – il Gala del Made in Italy" with director Gian Carlo Nicotra, which was co-produced with Rai Uno and broadcast worldwide by Rai International. The program was awarded the Medal of Representation by the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano. He also authored and directed the short film "La Dieta Mediterranea" for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, as well as the short films "Racism is not in style" and "Nessuno Escluso," distributed by Rai Cinema.

As a screenwriter and producer, Paparusso has worked on music videos such as "Goal" starring Osmani Garcia and Pitbull, and "Carry on" and "Wait" by Mao Otayeck and Stevie Wonder.

Publishing
Paparusso is the editor of Voci in Passerella, an online newspaper registered with the court of Verona. He has written several novels, including L'infiltrato and Caﬀè Corretto, and won the Literary Prize "Approdi d'Autore" in 2008. His sociology essay Angeli Assassini was featured in the literary review "Libri nel borgo antico" in 2014.

Activism Against Racism

Paparusso is the founder of African Fashion Gate (AFG), a permanent laboratory of cultural initiatives and practical action against racism, discrimination, and exclusion in the worlds of fashion, arts, entertainment, and sport. AFG has representatives in Europe, Africa, and North and South America.

He also organizes the annual 'Fashion Wears Peace' Prize, which recognizes individuals from various sectors who have demonstrated commitment to inclusion or against discrimination and racism. The prize has been awarded at the European Parliament in Brussels and the Italian Representation Office of the European Commission in Rome. Notable recipients include fashion designers Valentino Garavani, Giorgio Armani, and Vivienne Westwood, as well as Makaziwe Mandela, daughter of Nelson Mandela, who served as AFG Honorary President for two years.

Honors
Paparusso is a Knight of Merit of the Italian Republic and a representative of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.