In our penultimate episode of this series, we ask why does representation within Scotland's creative industries mattrer? You will hear different parts from a conversation hosted by podcast producer and music writer Halina Rifai with panellists Danielle Jam, Kumi McKenna and Mobo Agoro. Originally from Aberdeen, Danielle trained as an actor and now does this professionally, Kumi is an illustrator and designer and her work is primarily in print-making, and she takes a lot of inspiration from her Japanese culture and Scottish heritage. Mobo is a talent manager based in Glasgow working mainly in the genre of hip hop, he also runs the platform UP2STANDRD.

This third episode asks how can the North East be more supportive of BPoC creatives? You will hear different parts from a conversation hosted by Aberdeen Archives, Galleries and Museums as a Learning Manager Rachel Thibbotumunuwe, self-taught digital illustrator Natasha Falconer, self-taught Ceramist potter Leonie Cowie and Director of Film & Television Tim Courtney. Natasha started her career as a scientist and is now a self-taught digital illustrator.

This second episode discusses more of our faces in decision-making spaces. You will hear different parts from a conversation hosted by Cultural Producer Tomiwa Folorunso, Independent Consultant and Campaigner Talat Yaqoob and Director and Founder of We Are Here Scotland, Ica Headlam exploring this.

Rise Up! 2023 takes place 5 & 6 May in Aberdeen. Full information - aberdeenperformingarts.com/rise-up-2023

This first episode looks at forging and evolving a career and work within communities as Black people and Peoeple of Colour. You will hear different parts from a conversation We Are Here Scotland Founder and Director Ica Headlam had at the first panel of the Rise Up! festival 2022 with Briana Pegado. Briana continues an impressive career embedded in the creative sector, politics and policy, consultancy and much much more. Her latest work sees her facilitating valuable anti-racism work with organisations and bodies.

Rise Up! 2023 takes place 5 & 6 May in Aberdeen. Full information - aberdeenperformingarts.com/rise-up-2023

In 2022, We Are Here Scotland curated the first ever Rise Up Festival as commissioned by Aberdeen Performing Arts. Hosted across multiple venues in Aberdeen, it was a weekend of performances, talks, workshops and community spaces celebrating Black and People of Colour Creatives from the North East and across Scotland. 

As part of the festival, We Are Here Scotland programmed and took part in a host of panels exploring different subjects. Those panels were recorded and in the lead up to this year’s festival, we wanted to look back at those conversations, listen to them in a bit more detail and explore them one year on. How have things changed since those conversations? Have they even changed? And what do we still need to change? 

Welcome to Rise Up Reflections