#RightTalent sends young people to Cannes Lions as part of diversity initiative
The #RightTalent initiative is sending 11 young people to attend the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity as part of its mission to call for more diversity, equity and inclusion at the annual gathering.
#RightTalent is led by Digilearning, an official partner of Cannes Lions’ Equity, Representation and Accessibility programme.
Digilearning, a charity that helps young people find fulfilling careers in the digital and creative industries, is working with four other organisations on the scheme. They are: The Amos Bursary, Mobo Trust/Mobolise, the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and The Marketing Academy Foundation.
#RightTalent is calling on the industry to “walk to talk” when it comes to diversity by providing mentors, pathways to job roles such as work experience and offering jobs to young talent from under-represented backgrounds.
Companies including Accenture, Talon and VaynerMedia have already pledged support for the initiative.
The 11 candidates chosen to attend Cannes Lions will take part in a leadership acceleration programme. At the festival itself, the young talent will meet senior leaders through attending panels, mentoring sessions and roundtables featuring organisations that are supporting #RightTalent.
Other training includes an online bootcamp before the festival that provides tips and advice on confidence, networking and what to expect at Cannes Lions.
Becklyna Gyampoh, one of the 11 participants, told The Media Leader: “The opportunity for exposure to amazing people and networking at such a prestigious event is absolutely invaluable. I’m most looking forward to connecting with industry leaders and innovative thinkers, gaining insights that will help us continue to champion and support diverse talent in the digital landscape.”
The 11 people chosen by #RightTalent are:
- Arron Yearwood — actor; CEO, Privic Media; creotor and Writer, TXSaga
- Georgina Snape — application development analyst, Accenture
- Jannat Anwa — freelance author and assistant editor, Finberg Media
- Maia Jones — artist relations, Au Vodka
- Steph Larkin — client engagement executive, The Digital Voice
- Elvrie Matu — content creator
- Becklyna Gyampoh — law student, University of Brighton
- Aaran Wallace — digital media planner apprenticeship, Amazon
- Jada Ervin — youth minister, the Rio Ferdinand Foundation
- Graft — artist
- Mia Holder — apprentice, EY (volunteer)