For over 6 years I have used my Awareness initiative to support International Women's Day with unique information to particularly value women with hidden differences by developing online awareness specials annually online & on social media. For the first time, I have evolved my support for International Women's Day. Not just creating online specials but also attending an International Women's Day event in person. I attended the IWD Expo which took place at Birmingham's Millennium Point. Some people have commented that it is one of the largest events in the UK for supporting this event. As well as networking and spreading the word of my Awareness initiative Plus Value Awareness I have also attended a series of presentation talks, video presentations and panel discussions. CLOSING THE GENDER DISABILITY GAP A panellist discussion on how to bridge the gap of general disability in opportunities and the workplace. The discussion covers different aspects including understanding a diagnosis of the stigma, how to improve access to training education and what steps need to be made to improve inclusivity and close and also covers aspects including how to improve access to inclusive education and what steps need to be made to improve inclusivity. One of the most notable points I heard was related to stigma including labels such as an automatic label or less capable. I can relate to this personally as a neurodivergent and through my awareness projects, I observe that some men with disabilities can relate to this example, especially in a perceptive, demanding and judgmental society. This discussion includes the voices of Georgia Bondy - Founder and CEO at Well Adapt, Jessica Hobbis - Strategy & Partnerships Manager at ScreenMe, Estella Edwards, Founder of Rise Foundation FILM PRESENTATION "She" is a special film presentation that was shown and was introduced by Keisha Grant Choreographer & Creative Director Keisha Grant who is the director. It features a team of women performing a variety of creative dancing which goes through different levels of the emotional journey. The emphasis is centred around the empowerment of women in dancing. WOMEN IN MEDIA A panel discussion with individually individual stories was shared on their journey towards their career in the media. A lot of different aspects were mentioned including the barriers when taking time out time, being persistent in opportunities but being more job than being loyal. The discussion also addresses how since the pandemic there seems to be an increasing gap in representation of women in the media. My Question to the panelist I asked the panellists a question after the main discussion ended. On what to be done the bridge the gap of representing representation of women in the media. Some of the responses includles that there are more women managers and the increase of shortlists amount of women when it comes to opportunities. The panellist includes Anita Champaneri, Managing Director at Delicious PR along with journalists and broadcasters Marverine Cole, Suzanne Virdee and Nikki Tapper. Earlier in the day I bumped into Nikki Tapper who recognised me when I met her back in July 2022 just a few weeks before the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony of the refurbished Perry Barr train station. Attending the event was an exercise where I could listen more on how I can improve how I communicate when spreading awareness affecting women especially those with hidden differences. My awareness website presents customised projects and articles focusing on women with hidden differences. The access this online feature select a link below to the Plus Value Awareness website to explore Notice to editors
Keith Mckenzie Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity. In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Highlighting images related to leisure, events, places of interest and entertainment. In also projects linked with the featured examples.
About meI have an career background related to art & design, a participant on a music project King of the Beats and developed of series of awareness projects for local communities Archives
April 2024
Categories
All
Copyright Keith Mckenzie
All content must not be reproduced without permission |