iEMPOW3R Monthly: Spring is like walking after a long rest [Issue #17]

Hello and welcome fellow readers to another iEMPOW3R Monthly, which is a letter of reflection and renewal.

We’re Pivoting

It’s been over three years since iEMPOW3R 20:20 Community Interest Company (C.I.C) has been operating and finding its way. And what an incredible journey.

Some highlights from our first few years:

• Delivered community initiatives, such as iWrite, our annual creative writing competition for young people, which was self-funded in the first year (3 young people, ~￡600) and supported by Arnold Clark in subsequent years (13 young people, ￡1,000)
• Participated and contributed to sport community events (3x3 basketball) and minority women empowerment events (BFEG) led by established charities
• Delivered ad-hoc competitions and giveaways for young people (~￡500)
• Made investments in creative projects led by women and girls (~￡1,600)
• Made ad-hoc donations to the homeless and food banks (~￡1,500 – ￡2,000)
• Spotlighted cross-generational women professionals from minority backgrounds, sharing their learnings, career paths and guidance for younger generations through our iGEN project and provided a platform for women writers, authors and poets to perform at events (two international women’s day events) and write articles for our platform based on topics and causes they’re passionate about (iJournal) (~￡3,000)
• Amplified small businesses and the works of minority communities both here in the UK and abroad

Not only have I developed personally but this journey is something I’ve been very fortunate to have experienced professionally. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been an incredibly stormy road but a fulfilling one, and hopefully beneficial to those we’ve worked with and supported along the way.

It’s time to complete our pivot from where we began to where we’re heading. Which means closing the C.I.C, in favour of something aligned to our current works and future trail.

May Recap – Africa Day, iGEN - People Spotlights, Black Inclusion Week, Mental Health Awareness Week and Salesforce Women’s Summit

Africa Day - It's time for Africa!

We joined the wonderful team at Black Female Entrepreneur Greenwich to celebrate Africa Day. This year’s theme “Deepening the AU Vision for Unity for Africa through Prosperity, Peace and Modernity for a Better Africa and a Better World.”

The team held a full day of planned events at the Tramshed community centre, from African market stalls to a night festival of African culture and music.

A massive thank you to Lucy Isaiah , as always, for representing the continent the way she does and we’re always happy to support. Keep doing great work, uplifting and inspiring African and Caribbean women through your initiatives!

iGEN Season 3 - Getting to Know Some EXTRAordinary People!

May saw the reboot of our iGEN Project with our first people spotlight of the season, a seasoned filmmaker ‘Tianna the Writer’, a writer from North West London and in 2022 was selected to be part of the BAFTA x BFI Flare mentorship program. You can read the Q&A here: https://www.iempow3r.com/tianna-the-writer

Upcoming People Spotlight – Lucy Isaiah

Our next Q&A is with National Diversity Award 2023 nominee, the lovely light-filled Lucy, founder of the Black Female Entrepreneur Greenwich community. A frequent collaborator of ours and a dear inspiration for African women and girls. Here’s a snippet from Lucy’s Q&A:

“Representation equity, inclusion, and diversity are of utmost importance to me. They are vital for creating a society where everyone's voices are heard, respected, and valued. When individuals from diverse backgrounds have equal representation, it leads to better decision-making, fosters innovation, and promotes a fair distribution of resources and opportunities… Representation equity ensures that all individuals, regardless of their background, have equal access to opportunities, resources, and leadership positions.”

www.blackfemaleentrepreneurgreenwich.com

Black Inclusion Week

Took place between 8-14 May with a set of daily virtual and in-person events, covering everything from what it means to be unapologetically Black with a panel of thought leaders, the classroom experience to support young Black boys, a fireside chat with John Amaechi, women empowerment, what it means to walk in your purpose and much more. I was privileged to find time and the opportunity to listen to some of the events, and as usual left feeling uplifted and empowered. Kudos to the team for running such a successful week!?https://www.blackinclusionweek.com/

Mental Health Awareness Week

Took place the week after, 15-19 May. We ran a series of knowledge share on our platform, with an iEMPOW3R theme around nature. Here are our daily shares on nature:

Day 1: Learn how nurturing house plants can be a good source of nurturing our minds. This video was made on the back of an interview we did with Toni Rowe a couple of years ago.

Day 2: According to https://mentalhealth.org.uk nature generates many positives such as calmness, joy, creativity and can facilitate concentration.

Day 3: “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

– Albert Einstein

Day 4: Time in green spaces significantly reduces your cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Nature also boosts endorphin levels and dopamine production, which promotes happiness [source Ontario Parks]

Day 5: The stress of an unpleasant environment can cause you to feel anxious, sad or helpless. Nature heals! Researchers found, people choose a natural setting to retreat to when stressed [source Taking Charge]

Salesforce Trailblazing Women Summit

Held on Thursday 25th May and streamed live from London, and was all about ‘Driving Change’. They delivered a number of sessions with an incredibly diverse and international panel, covering topics around redefining the c-suite, changing the narrative, using platforms as a force for good and aligning career and purpose. Really great conversations and shout out to Emilie Sidiqian for the laughs! https://www.salesforce.com/plus/specials/trailblazing-women-summit

That’s All Folks

To all those in exam season or those with children sitting exams at the moment, wishing all the best of luck, do your very best and leave the rest. You’ve got this!

It’s Spring Bank Holiday Monday, I’m feeling well rested, London was beautiful this week, and I’m very much excited for what’s next for iEMPOW3R.

Focus on the good, do good, and watch how it benefits you tenfold!

They say when you love yourself, you move different. Here’s to me continuing to move, different.

The sun is shining, the weather is sweet and I’m incredibly and humbly proud of myself.

In June, the curtains close.

In June, the stage continues to be built.

Until June wonderful people. Continue to build one another, uplift yourself and others, motivate each other and empower yourself and others!