Speakers for this event include:
Annika Allen is the co-owner of The Colour Network, a black entertainment platform showcasing TV and film and also founder of the Black Magic Awards, a ceremony honouring women of colour who have been successful in their respective fields. Highlights as a journalist include interviewing the likes of Idris Elba, Janet Jackson and Tyler Perry and being invited to Downing Street to meet former Prime Minister David Cameron. In 2018 Annika created and hosted The Black Magic podcast, a series about the life stories of ordinary British Black women - extraordinary women – who inspire us with their brilliance and resilience.
Tomisin Adepeju is a Nigerian-British Filmmaker based in London, England. His award-winning shorts, The Good Son & Marianne have screened at over 100 International film festivals and at several prestigious institutions including: Cinematheque Suisse, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the British Film Institute & BAFTA. His new short film, The Right Choice recently had its World Premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and its LA premiere at the Oscar-Qualifying Pan African Film Festival. He is currently developing his first feature film.
Karol Jurga is a director of photography (DOP) often working in collaboration with Sony Music production team filming artists like Rag'N'Bone Man, Nothing But Thieves, Nao, Craig David among many others. Also founding UNIT31, a collective based in Limehouse, which produces music, videos and host event known within London's hiphop/jazz/neo-soul scene as Salt Peanuts cypher.
John Akanmu is an actor working in the UK and internationally; LFMA In South Africa, GYLF in Germany, IPPC in Nigeria, special guest performance in North Carolina, the London 2012 Opening Ceremony, Plan B ill Manor tour at the 02 arena, Royal Albert Hall 'Dance Prom’. Music videos include Ed Sheeran, Delilah, Conor Maynard, Wiley, Alesha Dixon, K Koke and Rita Ora and he also choreographed dance for Sarahba's first single Jaloux.
Ricardo McLeary-Campbell is a freelance videographer specialising in the online entertainment sector. Some of his most notable work is with the channel The Wall Of Comedy amongst others such as Channel 4, E4, Intelligent Life magazine, BBC Three, GAME, Virgin records, National Geographic, to name a few. Ricardo also works as a tutor, having provided services for The Brit Schools further education department and NCS The Challenge.
Shazia Rashid a graduate of the BBC Writers’ Academy and a winner of ITV’s Original Voices scheme, Shazia has written for Eastenders, Doctors, Holby City and Casualty. She has also storylined for Eastenders, Hollyoaks, Coronation Street, DESI RASCALS and most recently on drama series Tanglin for Singapore’s national broadcaster MediaCorp. Shazia is currently writing a short film commissioned by Network Rail/23 Red, working with young people.
Beverley Nderu is a Video Editor with experience in projects specifically for digital platforms. After graduating in Broadcast Media (BSc), Nderu used her digital creative skill set to work across numerous digital channels for platforms such as Endemol Shine Beyond and Unilad, consisting of projects that involved talent like Fearne Cotton, Odell Beckham Junior, Anthony Joshua and KSI. Nderu has also worked extensively with brands such as L'Oréal Paris, Coca-Cola, PlayStation, AutoTrader and Carphone Warehouse.
