Stories that made us smile - September
Autumn is officially here and as it gets colder, with the days a little darker, we’ll be wrapping up warm and staying safe at home where possible. Even though the end of summer is never a happy occasion, September has seen some positive stories about the Black Community.
Bumble puts Black Love centre stage
Social app Bumble has joined forces with prominent Black British artists, actors, athletes, entrepreneurs and activists to launch a new campaign to better document black love. #MyLoveIsBlackLove aims to better represent the breadth of black love in a real and authentic way.
The campaign includes stories from model Jourdan Dunn, presenter Clara Amfo, Olympic GB boxer Nicola Adams, model and entrepreneur Leomie Anderson, spoken-word artist George the Poet, rapper MS Banks, comedian David Whitely, Vogue Director Vanessa Kingori, Gal-dem founder Liv Little, presenter AJ Odudu, sex and relationship expert Oloni and many more all interviewed by author Yomi Adegoke.
The campaign aims to open a conversation about love in the UK within the black community. Each of the stories highlight the many voices that make up the black British identity, across gender, skin tone, heritage, sexuality, and location.
BBC progress through Diversity Commissioning Code of Practice
The BBC published their second progress report on meeting its Diversity Commissioning Code of Practice, which highlights the investments and support that the BBC has implemented over the last year to help continue to build an increasingly diverse and inclusive organisation and output.
The Code of Practice was published in 2018 and puts diversity at the heart of the BBC’s commissioning processes and reporting framework across TV, radio, online and digital content.
Successes included The Small Indie Fund which in January ring-fenced £1 million per year to support small independent production companies. 25% of the selected companies were diverse-led, receiving a commissioning mentor and a bespoke support package.
Zendaya makes history at the Emmy awards
This year’s Emmy awards went virtual in light of the pandemic, but nothing stopped the Black Excellence on display that night as Zendaya became the youngest woman to win best actress in a drama series - as well as the second Black woman to achieve the feat. 24 year old Zendaya won for her role as Rue in the critically acclaimed series Euphoria.
Other notable wins on the night were Uzo Aduba for her supporting role in mini series Mrs America, and Regina King and Yaha Abdul-Mateen II both taking home awards for their lead roles in incredible series Watchmen.
Shea Moisture announces new social change initiative
Popular haircare and personal care brand SheaMoisture has announced the creation of a social justice coalition with a $100,000 investment in support of activists working toward social change and as a direct response to continued racial injustices. SheaMoisture will award $20,000 each to five different activists in the U.S. and £20,000 for one UK. based recipient.
Additionally, a digital initiative, ‘This Has to Stop,’ has been announced as part of the brand’s continued commitment to supporting communities of colour and the work needed to combat institutional prejudice and inequalities.
Those are just a few of the many positive things that are happening in our community; if you have a positive story you think we should know about, why not let us know via our social channels or our website? Follow Black Happiness Matters on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and stay tuned to our website or BHM Club newsletter for even more happiness content and reasons to keep smiling.