Speakers announced for The P Word Conference 2021, including Main Speaker, Jamelia
“Perseverance in Perspective: The P Word Conference” will be led by a Midlands based line-up of creative entrepreneurs who have led the way for their creative communities over the last year.
Creative entrepreneurs and artists have had to work harder than ever over the last year and into 2021 to adapt and survive during this pandemic period. On Thursday 25th February we are shining a spotlight on Midlands-based creative artists & entrepreneurs who have led the way for their respective creative communities.
“Perseverance in Perspective: The P Word Conference” will be led by guest speakers, creative entrepreneurs that we’ve supported over the last year with The P Word, and partners Punch & CREME. They will all be delivering honest conversations and thoughts about their enterprises/companies, the creative industries, advice for start-ups, the effect of the pandemic, and much more.
Meet our Guest Speakers and host below, and register for your tickets here.
Jamelia
As a singer-songwriter Jamelia has sold millions of albums and scored number one’s all over the world. Jamelia has won multiple awards including four MOBOs, a Q Award and an Ivor Novello.
In broadcasting, Jamelia has appeared on programmes on every major UK TV channel as a host, panellist, presenter and guest. Jamelia’s modelling career has seen her grace the covers of Cosmopolitan, Elle and Time Out. She’s also fronted campaigns for Reebok, Pretty Polly and Toni & Guy.
Jamelia loves to act, and has had roles in both movies & tv shows. As well as her chat show, The Table, Jamelia is currently working on album number four and a number of books.
CJ Lloyd Webley
CJ Lloyd Webley is a Writer and Theatre-maker from Birmingham. He majored in Theatre and Performance Studies at The University of Warwick, and recently completed a Master of Arts in Creative Writing (Screenwriting & Playwriting) at City University of London. His play, Shadows, received 4 & 5 star reviews and sold out its three-night run at Theatro Technis, Kings Cross in 2017. Since then, he has had new work performed at The Birmingham Rep, Soho Theatre and the Brockley Jack Studio Theatre.
CJ was part of the 2019-20 Tamasha Playwrights cohort in London where he was shortlisted for the Adopt a playwright Award and has since been selected for Criterion Theatre’s New Writing Programme in Piccadilly. CJ is one of the newly appointed Lead Artists for Lightpost Theatre Company at the Birmingham Rep, a scheme that seeks to improve the mental well-being of young black men.
CJ is also the Founder of The Black Pounds Project CIC and facilitates Creative Writing workshops as part of his organisation Sorrel Park Theatrical, and online sessions with Beatfreeks. He has since completed Regional Theatre’s Young Director Scheme and. the Common Purpose leadership programme.
Fusion
The self-professed ‘Creative Storyteller’ has presented shows for MTV and Sky, hosted events at Wembley Arena, interviewed the likes of Beyoncé, Dr Dre and Marvel-mastermind Stan Lee, and shared his story on the TED stage.
An experienced educator and creative producer, he is now a lead facilitator for YouTube, empowering thousands of young people to become better Internet Citizens, and helps award-winning CEOs discover their own stories of transformation.
The driving force behind creative currency initiative #IITSPIRATION and founder of BMT – an immersive live experience celebrating the ‘awesome everyday’ stories of black men - Alain takes on all challenges with irrepressible energy, curiosity and a desire to get to the heart of the matter.
Alexandria Chantiluke
Birmingham born fashion designer Alexandria Chantiluke was selected as a 2015 finalist in the Savile Row Training Academy: National Design and Tailoring Awards. She won the annual Hawes and Curtis shirt design competition and graduated in July 2016 with a BA Honours in Fashion Design from Nottingham Trent University.
In 2017 Alexandria was named Radical Designer of the Year at an international design competition and in 2018 she was named one of Birmingham's top 30 under 30 for her work in fashion and the Birmingham community. In 2019 she delivered a motivational speech on the TEDxYouth stage and was also named one of the Future Faces of Birmingham on Gallery 37’s BASS2019 mural at Suki10c.
Alexandria has worked in the fashion industry with bespoke tailors Timothy Everest and Richard James on Savile Row in London, but fashion design is just one part of her brand. She also writes and performs poetry and is an activist for mental health awareness, speaking openly about her own experiences with Generalised Anxiety Disorder. She is committed to supporting young people and volunteers her spare time to delivering school presentations and workshops.
Jay Williams
Hoodrich is more than just a clothing brand – it’s a lifestyle. The slogan “from nothing to something” is fully encompassed by Birmingham born founder Jay Williams’ own experiences. Hoodrich embodies the come up.
Jay’s passion for underground streetwear, musical influences and interest in clothing led him to start his own brand from his bedroom. In 2014 with a £200 start up, the first 30 tees were made. Hoodrich has grown from a one man venture to a national operation.
Hoodrich is in Footasylum and JD stores across the UK and the brand has been worn by UK and US rappers and influencers.
Hoodrich founder Jay aspires for the brand to be a global household name and is just getting started.
The Last 12 Months
Ammo Talwar - Chairman of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce unpacks diversity in the music industry and the last 12 months.
Ammo Talwar - Chairman of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce unpacks diversity in the music industry and the last 12 months
Ammo Talwar, UK Music's Diversity Taskforce Chair & Punch Records CEO
Wow - what an incredible year it’s been. I vividly remember my first time going up to bat for UK Music's Diversity Taskforce, as their new Chair, feeling intimidated and overwhelmed in the Universal Music Group’s boardroom. The mighty UMG - home to Island Records, Polydor, Virgin - had agreed to host our inaugural session right where the Big Deals were done; the Rolling Stones, Sam Smith and Stefflon Don probably all inked deals or demo-ed LPs right here. We’re in the same space discussing diversity in the music industry, with all the trade bodies and all the major labels around the table. I was nervous, even with vice chair and veteran of the music world Paulette Long to back me up and keep me in check. But we didn’t know that when we left the room, the world was about to turn upside down.
This is March 2020. Parts of the UK are celebrating our exit from the EU with post-Brexit parties and a sense of euphoric win. Something else that's in the air is Covid 19, but despite footage of super hospitals being built in China, it’s not yet being taken seriously here. Just a few months later; George Floyd is brutally killed beamed directly onto our phones.
The outcry over the murder of George Floyd once again highlighed injustices in the law, amplifying the voices of the Black Lives Matter movement. Theirs would soon become the strongest voice for global justice, equality and equity. It resonated with our UK youth like never before; modern, contemporary, organised and effective at all levels. Statues got dismantled, hashtags became “must”-focussed - #rhodesmustfall and #TheShowMustBePaused backed by the Black Music Coalition in the UK and black music executives globally. Furlough was introduced and the music industry began its journey into the abyss.
Edward Colston statue falling
Globally, the major labels moved quickly. New investment came in to support black talent, The term “urban” finally got thrown out and “white privilege”, “systemic racism” and “unconscious bias” were the new words in the music ecosystem. Letters were written to key UK music industry players, which had raked in profits from black artists and black culture for decades but had always overlooked the structural and systematic racism. “Enjoying the rhythm and ignoring the blues” said RADIO 1 DJ Clara Amfo.
There were difficult debates, decisions and discussions for all of us. From the CEOs of major record labels to promoters and artists not from minority communities; questions of privilege (perhaps “white”, perhaps “gender”, perhaps “place”) were being asked. How much of their success in the music industry was down to privilege, family networks, not undiluted raw talent? More importantly, how do we create better opportunities and better representation for the rest of us? Modern day, diverse citizens should be everywhere across the music industry, not just as performers, not just as interns, but at executive and CEO level, smashing the glass ceilings of back rooms and boardrooms.
Black artists have always raised their voices for while others have stayed silent; Howlin Wolf spoke about the Mississippi Blues, Jazz and Be Bop defied Jim Crow’s America. James Brown post-Watts Uprising shouted “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud”, Hip Hop hit back at Reaganomics. In the UK Steel Pulse was talking about Handsworth Revolution, Bashy heralded serious emotions about Black Boys. Stormzy raps on Grenfell and Dave just echoes what James Brown knew all those years ago; Black is Beautiful.
Public Enemy on the fight the power video shoot
Now was the time for the music industry to stand up and back a radical, sustainable plan to repair the diversity deficit and back our black artists, black workforce and a modern diverse music ecosystem. At UK Music, the Taskforce was already nine months deep into our flagship workforce survey. Now this could go out against the backdrop of #theshowmustbepaused and #blackouttuesday; receiving unprecedented support from all the trade bodies - BPI, MU, PPL, AIM, MMF, FAC, IVORS, MPG, MPA and PRS. The uptake surpassed the 2018 survey by over 33%.
This was and is the only survey to look this deeply into representation in the UK music workforce, auditing levels of diversity, social mobility, the protected characteristics, retention and access at all levels, right across the music business. This included studios, management agencies, music publishers, major and independent record labels, music licensing companies, the live music sector: the total UK music ecosystem.
UK Music Diversity Taskforce
But what can be done with just data? To really put evidence to work, codesign across the music industry is required to deliver an action plan that is respectfully collaborative, holds senior executives to account and changes the culture with visible metrics and targets. It’s not just “more brown faces in the board rooms”; it’s more diversity of thought and practice, with sustainable ways to move progress forward with pace.
If diversity without action is just a dream, action without evidence is a nightmare. Our TEN POINT PLAN is drawn from the 2020 survey, based on new metrics, fresh evidence and lived experience of diversity in the music industry today, here in the UK. It is the accumulation of months of work across the total industry ecosystem - we consulted, we watched, we listened, we gathered data and now there is a strategic plan that has been co-signed by every single major music trade body. And some of it is really simple, common sense stuff, ensuring ordinary people in the music industry are allowed to execute extraordinary work.
As the chair of UK MUSIC’s Diversity Taskforce, I know we are responsible to make change happen, and we must be held accountable to ensure actions are sanctioned, strategy is developed and systems change. The TEN POINT PLAN closely aligns with the demands of Black Music Coalition, Women in Ctrl, PRS Foundation and all the other campaigning music companies to ensure justice and equality with a sharp focus on race and gender.
The TEN POINT PLAN has some really simple stuff that some would say is just common sense. Advertise to a broader audience base for new recruitment, listen to diverse staff members, update and implement stronger diversity targets. There are also deep, long-term drivers around the Gender and Race pay gaps, around governance and ultimately putting new voices into key decision making rooms. Some say follow the money, we say: dialogue with diverse voices - with people who don’t look like you, talk like you and hang out in places like you.
UK Music Diversity Report - https://www.ukmusic.org/equality-diversity/uk-music-diversity-taskforce-workforce-diversity-survey/2020-report/
We want to bring people with us, because we know diversity is stronger, better, smarter and more sustainable when “done with”, rather than “done to”. But at the same time there are some drivers, some values that are absolutely no compromise. THE TEN POINT PLAN demands sharp actions at pace with respect. It’s going to be a long complex journey. Without the tragic death of George Floyd and the uprisings afterwards, without #TheShowMustBePausedUK, without #BlackOutTuesday, the UK music industry wouldn’t be at the watershed moment I believe it is today, Change is coming.
It’s simply time to act.
AMMO TALWAR MBE
CHAIR OF THE UK MUSIC DIVERSITY TASKFORCE
For further reading:
https://www.ukmusic.org/equality-diversity/uk-music-diversity-taskforce-workforce-diversity-survey/2020-report/ - Major report on Diversity
https://www.ukmusic.org/equality-diversity/ten-point-plan/ - 10 point plan
Other interesting articles
https://www.blackmusiccoalition.co.uk/our-manifesto
https://mixmag.net/feature/the-roadmap-to-change
Reports
https://www.ukmusic.org/equality-diversity/creative-industries-council-diversity-charter/
More Than A Moment: Action With & For Black Creatives
This is a long-term commitment to dismantle the systems that have for too long kept Black artists and creatives from achieving their potential in the arts and cultural industries.
In October 2020, the ‘More Than A Moment working group’, a group of Black artists & leaders from arts organisations across the West Midlands launched a pledge for the West Midlands art sector to take action to dismantle the systems that have for too long kept Black artists and creatives from achieving their potential in the arts and cultural industries.
We at Punch are very proud to stand in support of this pledge. We’ve decided to host this pledge on our website so that it can be seen further and wider; so that we can be held accountable to this pledge, and so that you, the reader, can also agree to the actions within the document.
Taken from the pledge:
“This is our promise for radical & permanent change:
Create opportunities across the sector at all levels.
Be accountable for the change.
Create an anti-racist culture where Black people can thrive and fulfil their potential.
This is a long-term commitment to change, and will be prioritised into short, medium and long-term aims, with appropriateness to the scale and capacity of the organisation. We will carry out the principles and actions outlined on the following pages.”
Meet 12 Midlands-based Creatives That Will be changing the Industry In 2021
Introducing the 12 creatives that are a part of this year’s ‘The “P” Word’, a project supporting diverse creative artists & entrepreneurs in the Midlands
We’ve launched a new leadership project, ‘The “P” Word’, to support diverse creative artists & entrepreneurs in the Midlands, and develop their small creative businesses; into viable platforms that can better represent PoC and help regenerate the sector. We would love to introduce you to our 12 creatives below that are a part of this year’s ‘The “P” Word’.
We’ll be hosting an online launch party on Thursday 23rd July, and you’re invited to attend. Details here.
Daniel Alexander
Award-winning director and filmmaker based in Birmingham. He currently produces and directs work for platforms and agencies including the BBC Academy and the BFI including the official Commonwealth Games Handover for the BBC.
Daniel is a BAFTA crew member and sits on the board of the region’s industry screen body, ‘Create Central’.
NAMYWA
Hailing from the West Midlands, Namywa is an international singer-songwriter and recording artist. Namywa’s music is inspired by artists like Amy Winehouse, Diana Gorden, Yebba, Jill Scott and Laura Muvla.
Namywa’s artistic Journey is underpinned by with the willingness to support, inspire and develop other BAME people, mainly brown women and girls to access the arts industries.
RTKal presents: The MBC
”I have performed across the world and learned from the music industry internationally, which brought to my attention how overlooked Birmingham’s talent is, and how little we have in terms of a creative industry infrastructure. The MBC is a contribution to the infrastructure.”
The MBC - Music, Birmingham, Culture - is a multipurpose retail and venue space created by RTkal and his team to shine a light on Birmingham's creative industry and its rich pool of talent.
Tarju Le’Sano The DopeRes K.I.D
Tarju Le’Sano The DopeResK.I.D is a Producing Artist, from Birmingham, UK. Specializing in Songwriting, Spoken Word, Music Production & Dance. With standout performances and a passion for the stage he is not easily forgotten.
Tarju aspires to be the next global superstar from Birmingham UK, showing through his unique delivery, production and performance style, that he is a force to be reckoned with.
Ayola Lee presents:YOLA Entertainment
YOLA Entertainment contributes to the Music & Creative infrastructure here in Birmingham by building a sustainable Media Company. Providing artists, creatives & entrepreneurs with a platform to be seen and the necessary support to further their journeys.
ARRON GILL PRESENTS: THE GAP
“My name is Arron Gill and I am a Creative Producer and core team-member of The GAP Arts Project, an arts organisation based in Balsall Heath that creates space and time for young people to make sense of the world through creative and cultural action.
Using a range of drama and education methods, and other pedagogical practices developed over the years, I became deeply deeply passionate and committed to organising and creating cultural work that strengthens communities. My practice often seeks to create radical ruptures using creative tools to deeply explore our relationship with the world.”
KEIRAN FRANTIC PRESENTS: KNOW HOPE
Know Hope was founded in 2015, initially as a streetwear brand, that centred around positivity and community cohesion. Over the span of 5 years, we rose to local dominance and became known for our innovative approach to branding and marketing. In 2019, our Managing Director Keiran Frantic, saw an opportunity to widen the reach of the support by evolving the brand.
Today, Know Hope Digital combines the know-how and experience of freelance designers, marketers and videographers under one umbrella brand. We produce content for commercial/social use, design & steer campaigns and facilitate workshops.
Tennexa Freeman Presents: TCU - The Creative Universe
TCU - The Creative Universe is a grassroot and BAME-led company. We offer high-quality theatre productions, and site-specific experiences to diverse audiences across the Midlands.
We create meaningful and impactful projects that positively represent, support, engage, empower and serve the marginalised communities we come from.
lekan Babalola & Kate Luxmoore presents: Ifa-Yoruba Contemporary Arts Trust
I-YCAT was founded in 1995 by Grammy-award winning percussionist Lekan Babalola.
A unique, arts and cultural charitable organization, Ifa Yoruba is committed to sharing and maintaining the integrity and relevance of Yorùbá arts and culture in wider society – within local communities, both in the U.K. and overseas.
Aaron Wiggins presents: Wiggins Media
Wiggins Media was officially registered in 2018, but first began trading in the summer of 2017 offering showreels and music videos. “The aim for me personally to begin with was to provide these two services for friends but quickly discovered the demand for video content.”
After going full time with the business in 2018 and experiencing the initial struggle that comes with launching a start-up, the services expanded to corporate videos, adverts, event capturing and weddings. We are now in our third year of trading and aim to grow the team over the coming years.
STEADY PRESENTS: YUGEN ARTS
International acclaimed choreographer and dance artist, Steady, is a two time Guinness World Record holder and founding member and Co-Artistic Director of Flawless Entertainment.
His new company, Yugen Arts, is a hip hop theatre and dance production company that specialises in the art of storytelling with dance at the forefront. Yugen Arts believes in art with purpose and create captivating, experiential, thought-provoking work through their productions and educational programmes.
TASHAN ELLIOTT PRESENTS: CLICK VISUALS
We help our clients thrive in the digital era by using real human insights & platforms to design experiences that are seamless and engaging. By delivering sustainable brand awareness.
We offer a range of Services including Marketing content, Branding, Photography, Videography, Live Streaming Events/Podcasts, Influencer marketing as well as social media/Branding training . We have worked with and been published by Google, BBC Radio 1,BBC Sports, Coca-Cola, Birmingham City Council, ACGP International, Old Rep Theatre, The Guardian, Scarlett & Jo London and many more. Our projects have also been featured on BBC News and ITV News.
If you would like further updates about ‘The “P Word’, subscribe to our Newsletter; and follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
Beyond Rhetoric... Race in Live Music (Live Video Panel Discussion)
Online discussion panel, hosted by IQ Magazine, on the topic of diversity in the music industry.
On Thursday 25th June, IQ Magazine held a Youtube LIVE discussion on the topic of diversity in the music industry.
“Blackout Tuesday brought the industry to a standstill and thrust the topic of diversity in the music business back into view. So just what challenges do black promoters, agents and managers face, and what’s needed to counter systemic racism both within the business, in performance spaces and touring markets? Our next IQ Focus session will ask how changes can be made, and the current momentum can be maintained over the months and years ahead.”
The session will be chaired by Live Nation Entertainment's diversity lead David Carrigan, with special guests...
Ammo Talwar MBE, Punch / UK Music Diversity Taskforce
Kiarn Eslami, Metropolis Music
Lucy Atkinson, Earth Agency
Sumit Bothra, ATC Management
Yves Pierre, ICM Partners
Watch the video above or visit IQ Magazine’s Youtube for the full video.
The "P" Word press release - new leadership programme for diverse creative entrepreneurs
The “P Word” tackles the structural inequalities that continue to hold back the potential of black artists and new-entrepreneurs
The “P” Word 2020 Press Release
The “P” Word is a brand-new, nine-month leadership development programme for diverse artists and entrepreneurs. Co-designed with its participants, THE “P” WORD is being led by PUNCH and the CENTRE FOR RESEARCH IN ETHNIC MINORITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP - “CREME”- at ASTON UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL.
As COVID-19 continues to impact the creative industries, innovative models of business support are needed now more than ever, especially to tackle the structural inequalities that continue to hold back the potential of black artists and new-entrepreneurs. THE “P” WORD is designed to identify "roadblocks” holding back the productivity of creative businesses and will address them through bespoke training and intensive mentoring.
The value of the UK’s creative industries broke the £100bn barrier in 2018, with the West Midlands contributing £4.1bn to that figure. Despite this, artist-entrepreneurs often find it tricky to define what ‘productivity’ means for their business, much less take steps to boost it and make their small-medium sized enterprise (SME) more robust and growth-focused.
“I know THE ‘P’ WORD will unlock some areas of business that are in my reach. I just need some extra support to approach them”
The inaugural twelve participant SMEs include visual media companies, venue and project spaces, artist platforms and charitable organisations. All of them have identified their own development needs and are now poised for intensive, tailored leadership training and mentoring that will see them increase the long-term scale and scope of their creative work.
It's been more than a year in the making and major partnerships have been established with BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL and ASTON UNIVERSITY. With multiple opportunities to pitch for investment and renowned guest mentors from around the UK, THE “P” WORD is primed to deliver and couldn’t be better timed.
Follow @punchrecords for all details, updates and launch information.
wearepunch.co.uk/the-p-word
QUIZ: How Many Iconic Black-led TV Shows Do You Know? (70's - 00's)
All shows are from between 1970 - 2005, they’re classics from #BACKIN the day; and all are black-led too. How many did you watch?
The rules are simple: All shows are from between 1970 - 2005, they’re classics from #BACKIN the day; and are black-led too. If you’ve seen the TV show, check “yes”, if you haven’t, check “no”. Let’s see how well you do!
1970 - 1989
1990 - 1999
2000 - 2005
How did you do?
Did we miss any of your favourite classic black-led TV shows? Add your throwbacks in the comments below and let’s reminisce together.
Supporting black filmmakers - BACK IN returns for it's 4th year
BACK IN is the leading black film development programme in the Midlands, UK.
BACK IN is the leading black film development programme in the Midlands, UK.
As part of Punch’s commitment to supporting and nurturing talent around the UK, our flagship filmmakers programme, 'BACK IN', is returning for its fourth year this Summer.
BACK IN is for early-career black filmmakers in the Midlands, produced by Punch and managed by award winning Director and Producer, Daniel Alexander. For 2 days a month, over 9 months, 6 filmmakers will receive micro bootcamps, by recognised professionals from a range of backgrounds including:
Script Writing
Film set experience
Industry practice
Festival bookings
Budgeting
Fundraising
Film pitching
Each filmmaker will be commissioned to produce a short film. Applications close Monday June 1st at 5pm Visit backinuk.com to apply or contact Cas@punch-records.co.uk.
Thanks Fast Labels
We’re working with a number of businesses to make this years BASS Festival work including Fast Labels who are kindly contributing to our promotional material with over 1000 custom printed stickers.
Tickets for all BASS2019 events are now available via Eventbrite. Be sure to secure your tickets to receive goodies from our festival suppliers.
