The Black Collective of Media in Sport (BCOMS) announces that its flagship conference, D Word 5, will be held at Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge on November 13, 2024. This invite-only event, the UK’s only conference focused on diversity in sports media, marks its tenth anniversary and will be supported by the Chelsea Foundation.
D Word 5 aims to connect senior executives from the sports media industry with academics, EDI experts, experienced professionals, and emerging journalists. The conference will place diversity firmly on the agenda for the industry’s key decision makers while evaluating progress made in this critical area over the past decade.
Leon Mann, founder of BCOMS, stated: “BCOMS has made significant strides over the last few years, particularly since the Black Lives Matter protests, both in its development as an organisation and in our collaborations with many different partners in the industry.”
The conference will provide a platform for in-depth discussions on addressing under-representation in sports media. “We are looking forward to bringing all stakeholders of the sports media together to dig deep into solutions that address under-representation and vitally create inclusive environments,” Mann added.
While acknowledging progress, particularly through initiatives like the BCOMS Media Academy and collaborations with partners such as the Chelsea Foundation, Mann emphasised that “under-representation in the sports media continues to be an issue.”
Chelsea Foundation underscores the importance of collaboration in addressing diversity challenges. Mann explained, “We continue to research the situation, look for proactive solutions, and maximise the partnerships we have in place.”
D Word 5 at Stamford Bridge represents a significant milestone in BCOMS’ ongoing efforts to drive change in the industry. The event promises to be a pivotal moment for reflection on past achievements and strategizing for future progress in creating a more inclusive and representative sports media landscape.
For more information about D Word 5 and BCOMS, please contact Andew DuCille (Andrew@bcoms.co)
