Gennevive is a Hair and Makeup Artist for TV and Film from Birmingham.

In 2016 she decided that she wanted to go follow her passion and learn makeup. So, she left her full-time job and went on to do a course in Theatrical, Media Hair and Makeup. After finishing college, she then went on to get a job in TV thanks to the Man like Mobeen trainee scheme.

Whilst working and continuing professional development, Gennevive realised the lack of training in curly, Afro Hair textures in Birmingham. Through being frustrated with having to pay for courses and then to have to find and pay for a separate course that teaches Afro Hair textures is how the idea for Elevei Academy came about.

Elevei Academy is a professional academy with the focus on courses for curly, Afro textured hair. It includes teaching the correct terminology that should be used to stop hair discrimination and help become an inclusive and a safe space.

My name is Jendayi selassie and I am a dancer, choreograph and teacher form England.

I have been dancing for over 25 years which started as a child when my parents put me in a African dance class organised by the Saturday school they used to organise and run. This is where my passion and love for the art form began.

Since then I have had a deep connection to not only dance but to music. So at the age of 9/10 I began my own dance troupe made up of my closest friends where we created and performed the dances at local talent shows and school show cases this bred a whole journey for me which has bought me to where I am today. I am a professional dancer with a degree in dance making and performance.

Jenna Grizzle is a young business owner working within the media sector. Having obtained media studies qualifications, she began working as administrator for a construction company whilst searching for short film opportunities.

This enabled her to hone her organizational skills and grant her an intimate view on how SME's are run from her position as a PA for the director.

The COVID years brought an opportunity to get back into the shorts arena where she's not looked back since, She takes inspiration from producer Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor. Jenna has taken up roles as production assistant and served as a producer in two other films that are currently in post-production.

Her aims are to tell minority led stories (women, black, queer) often overlooked by mainstream production houses.

Kupid Val-Essoné is a freelance practitioner from Wolverhampton, England, who boasts a long list of accolades, fusing over 15 years of experience working with young people, decades in the music & arts industry and his 12 year journey as a father to create meaningful connections with participants of all ages with a diversity of needs and backgrounds.

All of the work that Kupid has done as an author, public speaker & practitioner tells a story, shares a message, connects with his audience in an honest and relatable way, sharing a piece of himself to support others to work towards their full potential.

Kupid describes his work as challenging, rewarding, and vital work that can not be done without dedication, passion, resilience, and honest communication.

Suzanna started her career in the music industry as a songwriter, writing predominately for trance and dance DJs.

She then trained as a psychotherapist and worked as wellness manager in music education before going on to start her own management company, integrating her passion for music and mental health.

Suzanna leads from a place of people before profits and nurtures community within the organisation by encouraging mutual support between all the artists.

Unique Tay is a West Midlands-based dance entrepreneur, dance writer and podcast host. A successful Prince’s Trust Enterprise applicant in 2018.

Tay's body of work is aimed at community dance engagement and artist development; both nationally and internationally. Tay is passionate about advocating the voice & vision of aspiring dancers. By raising the profile of dance leadership & cultural exchanges. Through writing blogs and dance-theatre production reviews. Sharing behind-the-scenes, interviews and hot topics. Tay is committed to improving your social health through dance for the wider community. At home and abroad. Having taught and trained internationally in Jamaica, Senegal, Italy and Thailand.

A lover of Hip Hop culture, a travel junkie and a proud creative dyslexic.

Her motto is: 'On a journey to empower dance and creative work'.

Tianna J-Williams Photography is a specialist photographer in maternity and motherhood photography. With roots in maternity care, Tianna changed careers from busy wards in the NHS to self employment to meet the needs of her growing family and a desire to be creative. In the 5 years since her business launched, Tianna has gained international awards and recognition for her maternity portraits, speaking engagements at photography trade show events and a prestigious brand partnership with Nikon Europe as a Z Creator.

Instagram: instagram.com/tiannajwilliamsphotography

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/tiannajwilliamsphotography

Facebook: facebook.com/tiannajwilliamsphotography

Twitter: twitter.com/tiannajwphotos

Website: www.tiannajwilliamsphotography.co.uk

Dionne is 29 and resides in Wolverhampton. As well as a full-time Engineer for Jaguar Land Rover and Sprinter for Birchfield Harriers, her passion for hair has been instilled from a little girl. Although her hair was relaxed to be 'manageable' from the age of 6, she always wondered what it would be like to manage her own hair. At the age of 24 Dionne did the final big chop and said goodbye to the relaxer and that’s where CrownTheMelanin began. CrownTheMelanin has become a one-stop for people to come and seek natural hair advice, product recommendations and knowledge that will help them embrace their natural crown. The dream is to build a solid natural hair community so that people have and want a better relationship with their natural hair. Embrace, Define and Grow with CrownTheMelanin.

Instagram: @crownthemelanin

Facebook: @crownthemelanin

Formally known as Pressure0121 (StayFresh), PR3 is a Music artist / producer & creative content studio manager.

Throughout career featured on: Link Up TV, SBTV, Channel U / AKA & Lord Of The Mics.

Online publications such as: RWD mag, Complexx & TRENCH

As well as performing at events: Eskimo Dance, Boiler Room, Nass Festival, Bigga Fish & more.

Studi0121 is a multipurpose recording studio designed to nurture and develop the talent that the Birmingham music / creative scene has to offer. Through our creative partnerships we also offer a variety of services to help support creatives with content development i.e Music production, Photography, Music Videos & Podcasts etc. We work with a variety of Independent Artists & Freelancers as well as supporting the delivery of youth based projects across the Black Country & Birmingham.

https://www.instagram.com/studi0121/

Haseebah Ali is an artist and arts educator from Birmingham. Since obtaining her BA in illustration in 2018 she has exhibited her artwork in multiple galleries as well as having been commissioned for a number of art projects. Haseebah also facilitates creative workshops, teaching printmaking to different age ranges and collaborating with artistic and communal organisations.

My social media IG and twitter @ haseebah_prints

Website www.haseebahprints.com

Tee Visuals is a professional Director/DOP with a creative and unparalleled vision. Over the years Tee Visuals has established a track record that has seen him work across industries with prominent organisations such as the BBC, Channel 4, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide Building Society as well as lead international projects based in Africa & Dubai.

Website: www.TeeVisuals.com

Email: Info@TeeVisualz.com

Instagram: @Tee_Visuals

Twitter: @Tee_Visuals

I’m Sea and I’m a creative producer currently living in Birmingham.

My creative practice focuses on bringing local art practitioners to the forefront by listening to their stories and working with them in creating inspirational pieces. At the moment, I produce for an arts organisation here in Birmingham, whilst I develop my own practice.

Instagram: @chiiproduction

Elishah St Juste is an actor and international filmmaker, with over 20 years experience of working with young people and as a creative arts practitioner.

Focusing on ‘challenging mindsets through the arts'; her work primarily utilises theatre and film as powerful social tools, to create sustainable change.

Both instagram:

@elishahstjuste

@kalaya_productions

Cassandra Wiggan, age 31, born and bred from the heart of Birmingham is a conscious creator of love, light and thought-provoking art, Youtuber and a lover of the outdoors.

In 2020 Cassandra founded Divine Excellence, a handcrafted jewellery business specialising in waistbeads. Currently Cassandra is growing the community hub aspect to her business that supports and provides health and wellness services, handcrafted jewellery and media content inspiring you to unleash, activate and maintain your true essence through self love, creativity and the power of nature

We invite you to follow Divine Excellence on social media to keep up to date with our latest collections, experiences and content

CONNECT INSPIRE BUILD GROW

INSTAGRAM Shop with us @divineexcellenceshop

Handcrafted jewellery Specialising in waistbeads

ONLINE HUB. INSTAGRAM: @thedivineexcellence

Enjoy uplifting, loving and a call to action focused content

YOUTUBE: DIVINE EXCELLENCE UK

Is a mixed content creative channel exploring personal, general and serious topics with a little laughter for the soul with the people’s favourite playlist, ‘ Hiya it's only me'.

SPOTIFY: DIVINE NATURE TALKS (PODCAST)

Where we talk about all things that are Divine and all things that are our nature. Sometimes it’s a unpopular opinion, sometimes it’s a share of Wisdom but it definitely is a place of self expression. I hope You enjoy and if you like the talk

Share with a loved one and if you don’t then you done need too. Peace

FACEBOOK: THE DIVINE EXCELLENCE

Alternative platform for those that don’t like to use Instagram but want to keep up to date with what we’re doing

Gemma is a professional dancer based in the West Midlands who graduated from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. She is a versatile dancer who’s main styles are Contemporary, African and Hip Hop. Gemma is a 250hr Yoga teacher, dance teacher, choreographer, movement director and trader. She has danced nationally and internationally during her dancing career and is looking forward to the next stage in her dancing career.

Instagram: @gemmapilgrim

Twitter: @gemma_pilgrim

Facebook: @itsgemmapilgrim

Tik Tok: @gemmapilgrim