Ripping it all up to start again with TV Executive Bunmi Akintonwa
This week’s guest is Bunmi Akintonwa, Producer, Writer, Exec Producer and CEO of the little black book co (lbbc) a UK production and distribution company backed by Impact X Studios, a fund created by a group of inspirational black investors to support underrepresented entrepreneurs with potential to make a significant difference.The last couple of years has meant certain projects went hold, which also meant the income from them ceased, and the investors' money was impacted. Bunmi's writing partner died too, and so she was left trying to pick up the pieces and push for new opportunities. Always resilient and go-getting Bunmi started out as the life style editor of the Voice and contributed to a number of other Youth style mags. Then she became a TV reporter on 2nd series of a cult youth series called Network 7. Everyone working there was young, hungry and up for doing whatever was needed to get the show in the road. It was all hands on deck and everyone had a chance to test their mettle.But when it came time to progress her career through the usual channels with a large broadcaster, reflecting her experience, Bunmi came face to face with sexism and racism, first hand. She wasn't imagining it; the producer told her straight up, they'd fulfilled their quota for black women. Undaunted, she accepted another job, that took her Rome and her career bloomed until she got pregnant and found that the company didn't want women who were mothers in their midst. By the time she came back from maternity leave, her job had 'changed'.So out of the ashes she created her own TV production and Distribution company LBBC, and eventually returned to the UK armed with her international experience. But the pandemic put a stick in her spokes. Only now she knew that her work was bigger than anything that could get in her way. Black Lives Matter was the catalyst to start working to help diversify organisations especially within TV industry. After realising the extent of underrepresentation at Cannes Film & TV Festival she founded & became a jury member of DiversifyTV Excellence Awards in partnership with MipCom. She defines courage as taking risks , pushing boundaries, pushing open doors (for yourself or others) having them slammed in your face, getting up again taking risks again. She believes that when things aren't working you've to rip it all up and start again.Thank you so much Bunmi for being a driving force for the underrepresented and for producing sustainable and inclusive content that leads the way for a more equal playing field across the board.Thanks also for showing us that even in the zig zag of life, when we have our eye on the end goal, we can get to where we want to be.You can find out more about Bunmi on http://lbbc.eu/ and follow herSupport the showLou is the founder of Brave New Girl Media, helping put your expertise, vision & mission in the spotlight by helping you launch and grow your podcast. https://bravenewgirlmedia.comPODCASTING SERVICES:Podcast production serviceCOURSES:Podcast planning workbookPodcast Guesting courseBOOK A CALL:Get in contact to book a 30 minute discovery call with Lou.Books by Lou Hamilton: Dare to Share- International bestselling guide to podcast guesting FEAR LESS- coaching guide to living more bravely Brave New Girl- How to be Fearless Co-author: Women Excelling Everywhere #1 International Best-seller Paintings by Lou @LouHamiltonart