MIJ Presents

Finally a huge shoutout to the first ever cohort of MIJ Mentees! I’ve learnt so much from these hunnies throughout the programme and can’t wait to see all that they achieve 🥹🥹 Let’s take a look back at their journeys ⏮️ From a shortlist of hundreds of applicants, Ella, Godgift, Isha, Jemima, Rayan, Renaya, Yasmin and Zeniece were matched with their mentors across TV Production, PR, Fashion, Talent Management and Broadcasting. They had 1-1s with their mentors across the 6 months, as well as set visits to The Masked Singer, tours backstage & networking opportunities with all the different departments. 📺 Midway through we held a session at Insanity HQ, to answer their questions, look to the future and troubleshoot any roadblocks. Many of the mentees visited their mentors in action, whether it was on location, at the ITV offices or at the Diageo Bailey’s Christmas event. It’s been soooo fab watching them shine - watch this space 🥰

We were joined by a group of absolute powerhouses in the audience. It was so insightful chatting to everyone after the talk and learning about everyone’s drives, goals and dreams. It’s rare to have so much potential in one room. 👑 Thanks to all the shortlisted applicants for coming, the wider @_creativeaccess community & to the Creative Access team for all their guidance along the way 💘💘 A big shout out to @broadwicksoho too for the gorgeous backdrop that is the Flute Bar xx

Looking back at our International Women’s Day MIJ Mentorship Masterclass panel and thinking about all the fantastic advice that our fab mentors had to share 🥰 Some of my highlights were - • “Build your toolkit from the beginning… See someone you think is great? Don’t get jealous. Rise to the challenge and join them.” - Thanyia Moore • “Don’t let perfection stop you.” - Carol Baffour-Awuah • “Be open minded when you’re thinking about opportunities. Don’t be too fussy - go for the uncool stuff.” - Amanda Stavri • Francesca Hayward said that enthusiasm and effort are often more important than experience early on - “We’re not expecting experience at this stage,” she said, “so you have to find other ways to stand out.” Heart is full and a huuuge thanks to Thanyia Moore (Comedian, Actor, Writer, Host, Confidence Coach) for chairing the panel, and to all of our mentors who have guided the 8 brilliant mentees through the MIJ Mentorship programme this year. • Amanda Stavri, Commissioning Editor, Reality & Entertainment at ITV • Carol Baffour-Awuah, Freelance Executive Producer • Francesca Hayward, Senior Culture & Entertainment Manager at DIAGEO • Issy Lloyd, Director, Entertainment at Insanity Group • Janine Fernandes, VP Global Marketing, COTY • Jo Ellison, Editor of How To Spend It • Julie Adenuga, Broadcaster • Priya Ahluwalia, Fashion Designer, Creative Director and Founder of Ahluawalia

Very excited to announce that after the success of our first mentorship, I will be continuing this year so keep an eye out if you would like to be one of our new mentees 🥰 Seeing so many ambitious young women in one room sharing ideas, asking questions, building confidence, and lifting one another up was beautiful. The future is incredibly bright when we invest in each other like this. Thank you for everything @_creativeaccess I’m so proud of all the girls and so grateful to the mentors for giving so much of their time and helping to create such a supportive space. On wards and upwards 🤍✨

Spent the afternoon at Parliament hill school doing a q&a with some of the amazing women who are mentoring on the MIJ mentorship scheme Julie Adenuga (chair) – Broadcaster & Entrepreneur Issy Lloyd – Director of Entertainment, Insanity Talent Management Amanda Stavri - Commissioning Editor, Reality & Entertainment, ITV Francesca Hayward - Senior Culture & Entertainment Manager, Diageo & Samira - legend It was so lovely to be able to share our experiences and advice as I remember being in school and only ever having police men come to speak (no shade I just didn’t wanna be a police officer) but to have so many young people interested & wanting to enter similar fields it felt so important to be able to give an insight into what you can expect and how to prepare, looking forward to doing more ❤️

Incredibly excited to launch the MIJ mentorship programme - a brand new opportunity for early career women from under represented backgrounds in the creative industries.   Over 6 months, we will match five aspiring creatives with incredible mentors from my own professional network with expertise in:   🎬 TV Production 🎤 Broadcasting 👗 Fashion 📣 Communications & marketing 🤝 Talent management   We’re looking for women who:   ✨ Are at an aspiring, entry or junior-level career stage ✨ Have a keen interest in progressing their career within one of the five sectors ✨ Have not had a mentor before ✨ Come from a historically under-represented background   Whether you dream of being in front of the camera or behind the scenes, this is your chance to grow your confidence, gain industry insight, and get real career support.   🔗 Apply now via Creative Access with your CV + responses to 3 short questions link on @_creativeaccess page 🗓️ Deadline: 20th July