Join us in celebrating their work, achievements and hearing their advice to young Black creatives.
Throughout October, we’ll be releasing free exclusive online video interviews with Black creatives exploring their amazing careers and backgrounds within the creative industry. These open conversations will highlight talented and diverse professionals and help emerging creatives gain an insight into their careers.
We ask professionals to talk about their careers, highlights and aspirations, and their opinions on opportunities for Black professionals within the field.
All interviews will be available to watch for free here, on our Youtube channel and on our digital platform, Homescreen.
Bianca Danielle and Kelly Morgan (Melanin Markets)
In less than a year, Melanin Markets Manchester (MMM) has exploded onto the Northern scene, taking over unorthodox spaces to bring the best of UK Black businesses to the forefront of everybody’s lips.
Melanin Markets Manchester is a unique spin on an Events company – with a social cause. Bianca Danielle and Kelly Morgan are the ‘brainchilds’ of this vehicle for change. First meeting each other in October 2021, they decided it was time to actively address the lack of representation and inclusion of Black People in the mainstream business sector.
With Bianca Danielle a specialist in Arts Marketing and Creative Events Management, and Kelly Morgan a Cultural facilitator with a focus on equality and diversity, it was a seamless meeting of minds, skills and passion. Their empowered unity is reflected in the various press sources who have covered their story and events from ITV, BBC Radio, The Voice and more.
MMM events encourage, promote and celebrate Black Businesses, to the wider Manchester community with 2 hugely successful events and many more to come.
MMM first event took over the 2 storey castle that is Contact Theatre on Oxford Road, in December 2021. Here 41 Black businesses were celebrated, over 1000 people attended and over £25,000 was spent by customers.
They did it again in May 2022, this time spreading magic through the Royal Exchange Theatre with 48 Black business Owners, with over 3000 customers and £37000 was spent by customers on the day.
Proudly standing by the ‘Black Pound Day’ ethos, they are increasing the visibility of Black businesses and highlighting the importance of spending Black, so they can facilitate change around socio-economic inequalities affecting Black communities.
- Instagram and Facebook: @melaninmarketsmcr
Summer-May Henry
Interview to be published in October 2022
Summer-May is a packaging designer, illustrator, and branding creator from Stoke-on-Trent, navigating the design industry in Manchester where she has been based for many years. Her work spans across many avenues, from designing kids’ toys to advertising social events. Summer-May’s full-time job is in packaging design, however, she works on many projects, expanding my portfolio and design capabilities.
- Instagram: @summermaydesign
Website: https://summermaydesign.com/
2021 In Conversation Series
Our 2021 In Conversation interviews are still available to watch online via Homescreen here: Black Creatives In Conversation 2021
Venessa Scott, Public Artist
Venessa is a prolific public artist and specialist in creative education. Recognised widely for her contribution to the arts and cultural sector in the North, she delivers creative projects, workshops, interventions and commissions for cultural and community organisations.
- Follow her on Instagram: @venessascott_uk, Twitter: @Venessa_UK
To watch the interview, click here.
To watch the interview with an audio description, click here.
DJ Paulette, English DJ, radio host and champion of great music
Always championing great music. For three decades, across three countries, DJ Paulette has held residencies at the most prestigious clubs in the world, including the Hacienda, The Zap Club, The Ministry of Sound and supporting the cream of the crop from Janelle Monae to Gilles Peterson.
- Follow her on Instagram: @dj_paulette1, Twitter: @DJPAULETTE and Facebook: djpaulette
To watch the interview, click here.
To watch the interview with an audio description, click here.
Karen Gabay, radio presenter, podcast and TV producer and award-winning film-maker
Kaen Gabay is a radio presenter, podcast producer, TV producer and award-winning filmmaker specialising in music and social histories. She’s an advocate for profiling women in music, radio, television, and education for children as well as developing emerging artists in music and art.
To watch the interview: click here
To watch the interview with an audio description, click here.