Building Communities
Using mentorship, storytelling and art as my tools, I help build inclusive, accessible communities. Whether it is in a virtual space or at an in-person event, I love bringing people together and encouraging them to get creative.
I spent three years working as Editor at Make Bank, a social enterprise which fought against creative poverty in UK high schools by providing disadvantaged pupils with free materials and resources. The project ran for 5 years and, during that time, provided over £100,000 worth of art materials to pupils who otherwise may not have been able to afford to study Art & Design.
Part of my job at Make Bank was to connect with teachers, parents and carers so that we could reach as many young artists as possible. I also worked directly with artists, designers and makers - including Camille Walala and Marcus Oakley - who were established in their careers and keen to give something back.
The largest and most rewarding part of my role as Editor was to help tell the stories of creatives. I interviewed over 100 creative professionals about how their careers had developed and the lessons they had learnt along the way.
“I honed my ear as an active listener and responsive interviewer as we crafted thoughtful editorial content together.”
The objective of these pieces of editorial content was to show young, aspiring artists that, no matter what obstacles they faced along the way, it was possible to earn a decent living while pursuing their passion. I regularly discussed deeply personal subjects - such as experiences with prejudice and discrimination - shortly after meeting these generous creatives. I honed my ear as an active listener and responsive interviewer as we crafted thoughtful editorial content together.
Make Bank was a small but determined team of two (I worked with my dear friend Kirty Thomas), but working there connected me with a community of creative changemakers who are fighting to make the industry, and wider world, a fairer place. The Arena, Good Nugget, We’re All Human, and Working Class Creative Database are just some of the good eggs I had the pleasure of working with during my time as Editor.
Storytime
At Make Bank, we shared creative career stories, exploring the breadth of opportunity which lies within the design industry and the benefits of pursuing your passion. Here is a selection of the most impactful interviews I conducted…
This network of changemakers led me to my next role, becoming Community Lead at Agents for Change, an assembly of illustration agents working together to diversify their industry.
With the help of our 20 agency members, the initiative aimed to offer support to aspiring illustrators who belong to typically underrepresented groups within the industry (which included people who identified as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse, disabled and/or from a low socio-economic background).
As well as more wonderful digital storytelling, my main duty was to organise portfolio reviews. Taking place both in-person and online, these sessions made it possible for aspiring artists to have one-on-one conversations with experienced agents, receive constructive feedback, and ask all of their burning questions. During my two years in the role, I worked with partners including Hachette, Harper Collins and the London Illustration Fair to deliver portfolio reviews to over 100 illustrators.
“Everyone brought a unique perspective and insight to the project as we reimagined the future together.”
I also worked as part of the creative team at Moseley Road Baths, a historic swimming pool and community space in the heart of Balsall Heath, Birmingham. I worked on the Diving In project, a National Trust initiative which explored what the future of public spaces could look like through a year-long programme of events.
Working directly with local communities, we put on events which were are varied as they were creative. We staged a community play telling the true story of how The Baths were saved by a group of local activist; produced a podcast where guests were interviewed while in a bath; toured a giant inflatable whale around the local area; and hosted the weekend-long Exchange Festival which questioned what the future of libraries could look like through a programme of music, comedy, spoken word, and workshops.
We worked with poets, sculptors, stand-up comedians, play-makers and radical thinkers to host events ranging from craft workshops for people learning English to film screenings which double as safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. Everyone brought a unique perspective and insight to the project as we reimagined the future together.
Every new role I have taken on has taught me about the subtle barriers which many people face when accessing educational, creative and cultural spaces. Each one has also introduced me to a community of changemakers who are fighting to break down these barriers. They inspire and motivate me to continue this aspect of my work.