An event which includles special guest Sir Trevor McDonald OBE
This blog provides my personal experiences when attending UK Black Business Show at Birmingham's NEC and being able to participate in a Q&A with one of my icons This is the first time I've attended a business-related event in 5 years. My aim was to network and seek specific advice. Unlike other events I have attended during the spring months there was a reduced amount of organisations and people that I would approach because of their relevance. Throughout the event, I meet with Business leaders, Business support advisors, Media staff and management. Had a great conversation with a journalist from London-based Colourful Radio and covered different insights and perspectives. The main approach related to organisations is with the Greater Birmingham and Solihull business growth hub and the business advice service with the West Midlands combined authority. This was not the only reason I attended this event but also a special interview with one of the most legendary names in Britain and a very respected journalism and broadcasting. A special conversion was with Sir Trevor McDonald OBE was interviewed by Shelly Biston, head of diversity equity and inclusion at News UK. The interview shares Sir Trevor's insight since he started journalism and broadcasting when he was based in Trinidad. Also, how it led to different kinds of opportunities with coming to the UK first with the BBC then became a monumental icon with independent television news (ITN) and the ITV network. He shared different examples of the importance to display variety in journalism and reporting. Many people may not know that Sir Trevor reported on the disputes happening in Northern Ireland. He talked about how he approaches reporting in different parts of the world. Alsd Sir Trevor Shared his experiences when interviewing key leaders around of the world including Nelson Mandela the first journalist in the world interview him since he was imprisoned for many decades. Also, his insight on other exclusive interviews with Saddam Hussein over the gulf war and with former US President George W Bush. During that interview Trevor's hard-hitting interview to the former US Presedent related to Iraq War lad the president to have a defensive reaction. My Q&A Opportunity directly to Sir Trevor This keynote conversation opened to the audience for a Q&A. I had the special honor to be able to ask a question. However, because of the strict rules they only allow a person within a section of the audience so I had to take a risk to ask two questions because someone nearby also wanted to ask a question. However, I was very polite to them and mentions if they don't be cheecky but to ask two questions Trevor responded cheeky everybody laughed. Firstly off of an audience member nearby, I first ask if there are people you wished you had a chance to interview which it never got to do. The second question was what I plan to ask originally. It was to do with the progress of equality and diversity. As Sir Trevor was groundbreaking as one of the first black people in the fear his field of journalism and broadcasting. I emphasize other examples of progress for black and ethnic backgrounds in opportunities with women and with LGBT. I then conclude by asking if is it now time to be more accepting of black and ethnic backgrounds with neurodiversity and how to make sure a person's difficulty should not hold them back. I emphasize sharing living with the autistic spectrum and linked with neurodiversity and I explained that I have to face obstacles and prejudice. My planned question was the only one that the studio audiences clap to. Sir Trevor responded that they should be acceptance and explained there is no excuse for discrimination. He used this as a context for how it doesn't understand why in Afghanistan they banned women from work and education. After the event This keynote interview was being filmed for the event so after the interview I went to the production team to find out if the Q&A section of the interview was also filmed. With how I questioned Sir Trevor, surprisingly the team thought that I was a journalist. I found that as an amazing compliment, I wasn't expecting. I would be informed by the team at the UK black business show if my q&a question was filmed or not. I will keep you updated on this and if the video is available I will notify and share this with everyone online. Words cannot describe my experience when attending the UK black business show. It was an honor and privilege to not only attend this event but to be able to ask a Q&A question to my icon and someone with I look up to extremely high for most of my life. Note 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
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Throughout the spring & in early July, I have attended a series of events, conferences, community participation and seminar related to Neurodiversity, a particular neurological difficulties and disability as a whole. At these events, I attended key influencers which everyone needs to discover, or a presentation with enable them to inspire others. Three out of the events were located at The NEC one was at the University of Warwick, University of Birmingham and one was located in South Birmingham Health & Wellbeing at Work I focused on the neurodiversity component of the events related to education, voices from expert professionals, and influential people with lived experiences including Dr. Nancy Doyle who are providing companies to be cautious when using artificial intelligence as it could discriminate against neurodivergent related to recruitment. Also attended a presentation from Tumi Sobre sharing his insight as a researcher. In addition a got to meet some great people when networking including the team members from Lexxic. Dyslexia Show Seminars, presentations and panel discussions related to education, expert voices and influential people related to Dyslexia and Neurodiversity. This includes presentations from Darren Clarke from Succeed with Dyslexia sharing useful examples of dyslexia in the workplace and how minor adjustments can make a positive difference. Also, addressing the workplace Natalie Brooks (campaigner and podcast host) from Adults with Dyslexia demonstrates examples of embracing dyslexia. During the event, I get to have a conversation with Arron Smith, one of the leading organisers of the event. Disability in the Workplace Summer Conference A series of workshops, presentations, panel discussions and live performances focusing on embracing disability with working opportunities in employment and business. This event is ahead of Disability Pride Month in July. This event took place at the University of Warwick (in Coventry), organised by S.I.C and Warwick Innovation Group. The event was divided into two areas: creative and the workplace component. The creative section of the event includes a panelist talk discussion and a fun interactive workshop. The panel discussion focused on the creative industries with representative voices by Alice Reeves co-founder & Director of Joyfully Different. With guests including Dr Zoe Watson founder of Make & Create and the well good well-being and Emila Moniszko Founder and managing director blunt and brave. Eight of the pound list discuss their personal insights which enable them to provide creative projects in the community and society. The examples of topics discussed include removing the barriers and it bracing new divergent just not only as an employee but also as a entrepreneur. The creative components of the event concluded with an interactive creative group play session using LEGO blocks where the audience was divided into more groups to construct different framed items including building a tower. The second part of the creative challenge creating something based on a particular challenge that affects the neurodivergent at work and in business, then using what was created to modify it into a solution. The afternoon session included a panelist discussion featuring Alice Hargreaves, Julie Reynolds (equity advocate), Robin Christopherson MBE (Head of digital inclusion, Abilitynet), Nikki Adebiyi (Founder of Bounce Back) and Sonia Rai (Founder of Netcar HR). Also, a family of 15 minutes of S.I.C presentation from and also your Dr. Mark Fostbrook, Include Me manager, West Midlands Combined Authority), Dieepa Ranawke (CEO, Sumrise) along with Dr Zoe Watson returning for the afternoon session. The event closes with a special music performance from the Sugar Coated sisters. Chloe & Tabby are international social media stars combining music and comedy which enable them to perform across the UK and internationally around the world. Both used their invisible disabilities to bring a different and candid perspective into their lives. Autism Show At the NEC with seminars, presentations and panel discussions related to education, expert voices and influential people related to Autism and Neurodiversity. This includes a panel discussion from some of the autistic inferences who participated in presentation talks earlier in the day. During the event, I get to meet for the first time I met with a TV Personality, Book Author and autistic influencer Alex Matters. He is featured in my awareness project focusing on listing achievers and role models of hidden differences. Links to the Plus Value Awareness project on achievers will appear here soon Levelling Up and Disability in the West Mids: The Event was organised by West Midlands Combined Authority at Sense offices in South Birmingham A community participation event involves a different representative of various organisations in the community and from Public Authorities in the region. This covers areas such as health & safety, transport, housing & communities along with skills & employment. University of Birmingham: School of Education study weekend As well as an attendee I was also a panelist during this event. This was part of a weekend of presentations and discussions focusing on different examples of autism awareness. The presentation talks I attended in cleaning one from Damian Milton. He was aggressing his insight as an autistic person and a father. Also, some of his work he has developed at the University of Kent and the national autistic society. Also, Karen Coney addresses the support for neurodivergent with Graduate Careers Advisory Service at John Moores University in Liverpool. Participation panelist Focusing on different aspects of research I was part of focusing on my involvement and experiences in autism-related research in local communities. My input includes my involvement in projects with Andrea MacLeod from the University of Birmingham including an online webinar aggression autistic people beyond the age of 40. Plus the development of a survey enables autistic voices to be heard without any filtering or wrongly interpreted. In addition, includes my aspects of research related to developing projects & information for plus value awareness. The intention is to gain stronger connections and spread the word on developments of what I have been involved with related to design, awareness or disability and transport matters. During these events, I had the opportunity to network with a variety of people from different backgrounds and shared my interactive digital portfolio & showcase touchpoint material was shared when communicating with attendees when networking. Find out more by reading the developments blog article "Interactive digital developments" The intention is to gain stronger connections and spread the word on the awareness I have them done which could help inspire others. 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 An event that combines workshops, presentation, talks and panel discussions.
The festival was over a two-day duration at different venues within central Birmingham. The first day of the festival was mainly located at the Parkside campus of Birmingham City University when where the School of Art and Design along with the furniture showroom Minima near Hockley. The brand master class is a combination of workshop and presentation by the legendary international designers Brian Collins and Astrid Stavro from the award-winning consultancy Collins. Sharing insight and experiences of how they developed their business and projects even through changing times with the worldwide pandemic. As well as showing some examples of the projects they also enable the entire audience to be involved in a fun and interactive workshop. The Type Trends report presents a collection of examples of the current trends in typography. This was presented by Brian Garham and Emilos Theofanous from Monotype. Later on the same day a palelist discussion addressing the issues of career opportunities in design. It was presented by Design Council's Chief Design Officer Cat Drew. With guests including artist and broadcaster Vanessa Scott, Phil Garnham from Monotype and Graphic lecturer Jane Anderson at the School of Art and Design at the University of Birmingham. Asked a question during the Q&A session During this event, I asked a question to the panelists on how they need to improve opportunities for neurodivergent. The responses includles an apprentice scheme for Neurodivergents. BDF Social The first day ended with a social event which was located nearby at the Hockley social club. The opportunity to network with someone of people involved with the Birmingham Design Festival. Thanks to the kind comments of Jane Anderson, I was invited to the Art & Design Degree Show. The Conference The second day was conference day with a total of eight different presentation talks. The event was presented by Venessa Scott alongside Matt & Luke from the Birmingham Design team. This was locatred at Birmingham's Repertory thratre better known at "The Rep". A perfect location as the surrounding area of Central Birmingham has gone through major redevelopment with near by contemporary architcture and up to date transport links. (Inc trams running nearby along Broad Street) The conference kicked off with a presentation from Marya Cerdà Alimbau demonstrating her work and emphasising the importance of inspiration from calligraphy as an inspiring source for developing typography design. Addressing the importance of having the same union between image and type while not mistaking flexibility for communication. Marya what's one of several guests of this festival which embraces artificial intelligence {A.I) to generate creativity. Lex Fefegha demonstrates creativity tech and interactivity linking community, culture and solutions in today's issues and topics. Areas such as using tech for a broadcast network to develop wide perspectives on topics such as knife crime, and digital interactivity for public authorities. Also, many examples of how tech can be integrated with different aspects such as music and health care. A project was developed to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop music including using art to develop poetry with a rap glove. The morning session concludes with a presentation talk by visual artist and author Oliver Jeffers. Is demonstrates his work including illustrations for several books I've ever written by himself or for others also he's working on a special animation film on the theme of the universe. The conference continues with the afternoon session starting with a presentation talk from puppetry director and designer Toby Olié. Gaming design was the theme of the next presentation talk by Abbie Heppe Director of Live Service at Media Molescule. This incluldes developing an virtal gaming festival during the worldwide pandemic. Focusing on the topic of the theme of play and how it is still relevant to all ages was the theme from a presentation from the global brand director at the Lego group Sonal Jhuj Gemma O'Brien, a designer and artist came from Australia just for the Birmingham Design Festival. Not only she shared examples of work using the PowerPoint presentation she also brought a very personalised creative collection book that uses how she develops her creativity with a high level of quality and how this is used to embrace her work for clients. Not only Gemma supports artificial intelligence in generating creative ideas but also in using A.I for generating writing using Chat GBT. The event concluded with design and creative legend Brian Collins (Global Director of Collins) returning for the second day with his insight and perspective along with some sharing of his projects from his team at Collins. Brian emphasise of developing unintentional ideas to generate creativity and design. Despite the worldwide controversy with artificial intelligence, Brian emphasised A.I will not take over us humans. The emphasizes that artificial intelligence needs to be embraced. Brian closes the final presentation of the festival with an interactive karaoke with one of the most recognisable musical films in the world. This involves selected members of the audience to join in. Birrmingham City University's Art & Design Degree Show Three days after the Birmimgham Design Festival has ended, I was invited to attend the latest Art & Design degree show which displays of projects from students from Fine Art, Architecture, Product Design, interiors, Fashion, Graphic Communication and Photography. This was locationed at Parkside campus of Birmingham City University. Key memebrs of the Birmingham Design Fetsival was there along some of the volunteers of the festival. Final Point Embracing deisgn is important, the festival and the quests has proved this. 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 A special one-off seminar event presented by Birmingham Design, (the team behind the Birmingham Design Festival) focusing on artists and designers based in the north of England.
The presentation I watch including from Sana Iqbal from Studio Sana who uses design to benefit communities. Caroline Dowsett shares her insight on illustration and visual art. Tom Heaton from PHMG shows a variety of branding and creative presentation work through different platforms. Also, I saw a limited presentation from Ryan and Mark Edwards from DR.ME. That was one of the professionals who were so projects to the audience. This is related to Tom Heaton expressing his concern about how his original work has led to other organizations great something similar to what he has developed. I had a brief conversation with Tom and his presentation and acknowledge his frustrations with creativity challenges I explained how I face similar problems where I have developed and then found other organisations developed similarly up to two years afterward. It was an amazing discovery to see the amazing project by specific creatives from the North of England and for the team to spend a couple hours in the Midlands 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 |
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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
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