Hello from MeWe360
January is always a bit of a tough month. Did you hear about Blue Monday? Apparently the concept was coined back in 2005 but we only heard about it in 2021. After all, I don't think there has ever been a bluer January... ever! Having said that, we've been busy at MeWe... Between our special event to fight the January blues, the launch of DBACE 2021, the delivery of our second peer learning session, welcoming a new colleague to the Foundation team, and many announcements shared from within our membership, spirits have remained high! Scroll down to find out what's been going on this month.
What you will discover:
- MeWe News
- Spotlight: MeWe Members & Alumni
- Thought Leadership
- MeWe's Nominated Trailblazer
- What People Are Saying About MeWe...
- Exciting Opportunities To Benefit From
- Your Support Matters
Don't miss out on the full newsletter content, such as our latest members stories, and make sure to click "view entire message" below.
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We hope you enjoy!
- The MeWe team
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HOW WELL DID WE FIGHT THE JANUARY BLUES?
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Last Tuesday evening was a fantastic event. The MeWe team, members, mentors, supporters and our wider network of creative entrepreneurs and professionals in the creative industries came together to connect, meet new people, hear about some exciting developments for our members (ahem - Petra Akinsiku with S.C.R.E.A.M and Kamari Romeo with the Black History School - scroll down for more info), and we were entertained by Pete Heat's fantastic show. It was a whole load of fun, and definitely something different to do on a Tuesday evening in lockdown pt. 3.
A big thanks to everyone who made it. It was a pleasure to see you all there. Apologies to those who could not attend. We hope to be able to connect with you soon.
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“MeWe has helped me in just remembering to dream again”
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“Isolation is a dream killer”
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“Thank goodness for mute because I screamed :D”
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A warm welcome to our newest colleague, Hasina Connell, who joined the team earlier this month as our Membership and Project Coordinator. We're really pleased to have Hasina join the team. Her support has already proven invaluable.
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"With experience in event planning and project management in the corporate world, I was keen to switch gears and join MeWe360 to work closely with underrepresented groups in the creative industries. I am looking forward to working with immensely talented and driven people and help build this network of creative entrepreneurs, while championing diversity."
- Hasina Connell
MeWe Project & Membership Coordinator
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DBACE 2021 is now accepting submissions from young creative change makers!
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Change makers wanted!
MeWe360 continues its partnership with Deutsche Bank and we are now accepting submissions for the Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs 2021. Open to 18-30 year olds seeking to drive positive impact through creative enterprise.
>> £60K prize fund
>> £100K worth of tailored business support
>> 5 winners
All business stages eligible from idea stage to scaling up. Creative Industries specific. Resources and information sessions are available to support your application. Find out more and apply by March 31, 2021.
dbace.org
What sort of support is available to applicants?
From information webinars, 1-2-1 Meet & Greets, application advice sessions, a special webinar on financial forecasting, alongside downloadable resources & videos to inspire and advise, we are providing all levels of support needed to submit an outstanding application.
Do you know the next change maker?
We greatly appreciate your support in spreading this opportunity far and wide to reach creative social entrepreneurs from all backgrounds across the UK. We can provide you some copy to pass along and spread the word online. Please get in touch with dbace@mewe360com if you would like some messaging and digital assets.
Since 2019, Deutsche Bank has partnered with MeWe360 to deliver this incredible programme. We work hard together in bringing the awards to fruition, supporting applicants with the process, and the 5 DBACE winners and up to 5 strong applicants benefit from MeWe membership of tailored business support and leadership development.
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Spotlight: MeWe Members & Alumni
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The launch of new products this 2021
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Black History is not just for 1 month/yr!
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#MerchWithSCREAM
Join S.C.R.E.A.M in raising awareness about sickle cell. You can preorder a product of choice for yourself or donate it to a sickle cell warrior. Join us in looking cool whilst raising awareness and follow them on Instagram for their weekly release of a special magazine.
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Isn't it time to learn something new?
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PG Tips Plus
As PG Tips launches their new product, the company is looking to Word on the Curb to receive insights on how best to serve the interests of underrepresented communities. Congrats to the co-founders of Word on the Curb for ensuring that all groups are targeted in time for tea.
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Standing Ovation Goes Digital
MeWe mentor Norris Panton visited Anthony Daulphin's hub in Birmingham to support him in adapting Standing Ovation's offering online. The hub has developed exceptionally well but with COVID keeping everyone at home, at some point, you gotta go digital. Hear what Norris has to say and stay tuned!
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We provide Thought Leadership through blogs, thought pieces and provocations. We are keen to hear voices that question, support and help us to deepen our thinking and move the sector towards real change in improving diversity.
Join the conversation... #MeWeLetsTalk
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Our CEO, Kevin Osborne wrote a piece on "Impact investment and diversity in the arts: Outlining the challenge I want to solve" as part of a collection of essays on the potential for impact investing in the global creative economy for Nesta Arts & Culture Finance.
"The second issue is that the scale of this disparity means that, on any reasonable plan for increasing funding to BAME organisations, it would take several generations (140 years by my calculations) to arrive at a fair solution. We need to invest in future-facing enterprises that will create new sustainable jobs, and rebuild our economy while at the same time creating a fairer and more inclusive society."
- Kevin Osborne, CEO of MeWe360
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Earlier this month, our CEO spoke to a group of 20 leaders, part of the Leadership Cultural Development Programme with the National Centre for Writing. He shared 3 key elements that, in his opinion, make great qualities for effective leadership.
Kevin Osborne is involved in Thought Leadership both inside and outside of MeWe.
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Cad Taylor from Ipswich Community Media / South Street Kids shared some great feedback:
"We heard Kevin talk to our cultural leadership group and I wanted to say what a huge impact this had personally, there were fascinating parallels with his experiences and situations here in Ipswich - so many hugely talented people that are simply missed off the agenda of any developments, arts, funding or growth (or representation). The question remains how are people being brought to the table in the first place - thanks for such an inspiring talk..."
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Join the conversation online by using the hashtag #MeWeLetsTalk & tagging @mewe360
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MeWe's Nominated Trailblazer: January 2021
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MF DOOM
Rapper, Hip Hop Producer
If your favourite Hip Hop artist had a top 10 greatest MC list, the name MF Doom is likely to feature at the top of that list. That’s why this month, we are celebrating the life, work and times of the now departed MF Doom.
MF doom (aka Metal Face Doom, Metal fingers Doom, Mad Flow Doom, Victor Vaughn and rapper King Geedorah) is one of the strangest and yet most influential rapper/ hip hop producer to emerge in the last 20 years.
He was born Daniel Dumile in London, England on January 9, 1971, and although he passed away in October 2020, his death was kept a secret and only announced in the twilight moments of the year 2020. This parting shot of defiance to convention from beyond the grave was very typical of this most unusual and influential of MCs.
This month's nomination was written by MeWe Member Akin Akinsiku. If you would like to nominate a trailblazer in the creative industries, please get in touch.
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What people are saying about MeWe...
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"Sometimes you're the only person who believes in yourself or in your idea and it's only in that moment in time, but determination is really an important ingredient in success. Perseverance, perseverance, perseverance... and I think that MeWe - the whole set up there, the people - are just geared up to providing that level of support and guidance that's necessary to achieve success."
Patrick McKenna, Founder and Chief Exec, Ingenious Media
MeWe Supporter
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Resources & Opportunities for Creative Entrepreneurs
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In line with our mission, we aim to provide the latest opportunities and resources that may may be of benefit to the creative entrepreneurial community.
- Are you a change maker? Do you seek to drive positive impact through creative enterprise?
DBACE 2021 seeks talented 18-30 yr olds driven to make positive impact through creative enterprise. Head to dbace.org & apply by March 31, 2021.
- #DYCP: Develop Your Creative Practice
This fund is for cultural & creative practitioners who want to take time to focus on their creative development. Round 9 is now open until 12pm, 18 Feb 2021.
- Does your organisation support the BAME community and are you interested in working with those who find themselves in the criminal justice system?
Each probation region across the UK has funding to grant to Voluntary and Charity sector organisations who work with/ led by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic members of the community involved with the criminal justice system. The purpose of this funding (up to £10,000 per successfull applicant), is intended to strengthen the capacity of those organisations who engage with BAME service users but may need some additional help to further develop their work.
To access this funding, you will need to have a clear priority of around working with ethnic minority service users and be a specialist in this field. This funding also includes organisations working with GRT communities.
This funding is not solely intended for organisations already working with the criminal justice system but could be used to build capacity for these organisations to work in criminal justice. For example, a service currently offering mentoring services to BAME service users may be eligible for funding.
If you are interested in applying for this funding, please contact the Regional Equality Manager for your area.
- Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants
This fund is still open until April 2021 with a budget of £77.9 million to fund independent organisations, creative practitioners and freelancers.
Please get in touch if you have any opportunities to share that could be of interest to the MeWe network.
Did you miss out on any of these opportunities?
Follow us on Twitter to not miss out on the more timely opportunities shared.
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MENTOR OUR MEMBERS
Our mentors are the life blood of MeWe. MeWe members tell us that our creative industry mentors:
- Help them focus and challenge them to prioritise the things they most want to achieve.
- Offer support and validation and thereby develop confidence.
- Expand their thinking about what is possible for them in terms of scale, size, timescales and potential areas of an industry to move into.
- Open doors to higher-level networks.
- Provide practical advice and back up: Members often sense the next step up but need support with more concrete business modelling and strategy.
Are you interested in becoming a mentor? Express your interest here.
See our roster of mentors.
MeWe values partnerships and collaboration. We have partnered with organisations such as Channel 4, Deutsche Bank, Creative England and Ingenious Media Group, helping them to achieve improved diversity and to reach and/or skill up BAME talent to invest. Are you interested in partnering with MeWe? Get in touch.
ENGAGE WITH US ONLINE
Our activity online is increasing and we would love to engage with you there. Please give us a follow on your preferred platforms.
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