BY JANNAT ANWAR
At the very foundation of all humble beginnings, is inspiration and inspired is exactly how I felt, leaving my first BCOMS masterclass, at the BBC in Media City. For many of us, it was not only our first step into the revolving doors at BBC Quay house, but also our very first step into the industry. Daunting as it may have felt, that all went away when I was warmly welcomed by our incredible programme manager, Jack Badu, who I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to virtually over the past several weeks for guidance and support. During one of our calls, he was attempting to cook dinner & I had the misfortune of witnessing him de-boning a raw chicken. In that moment stepping into the BBC reception, that slightly horrific flashback was oddly comforting. I knew then, there was nothing to worry about.
The masterclass kicked off with BCOMS founder, Leon Mann, who shared with us his struggles as he has progressed through the industry. Highlighting the lack of diversity and the need for progressive representation within the sports media industry. In an interview in 2019, he urged for ‘people in power to show that they care about diversity’ which is the philosophy that birthed BCOMS. Drew Christie, BCOMS chair, followed after, reminding us of the power we each hold and encouraging us that our dreams are within reach and that BCOMS is there to support us throughout our journeys. Leon and Drew, both encouraged us to be the change we want to see in the world and that possibilities are limitless even for people like me, from diverse, ethnic and working class backgrounds. Seeing and hearing the care, genuity and sheer passion and commitment to the cause was incredibly inspiring. To see such a vibrant and flourishing community being born as a result of this, was remarkable and immensely powerful, and I am thrilled to now also be a part of it.
We then had the pleasure of hearing a panel of BCOMS alumni, a panel of brilliant individuals with humble beginnings and now turned success stories. They discussed theirjourneys with BCOMS and shared how they acquired their current positions in the industry. Hearing how fondly they spoke of their time with BCOMS only propelled my own excitement. The alumni all encouraged us and advised us to be proactive and open-minded to make the most out of the programme. To hear how a year ago, some of the panellists were in our positions, at their first masterclass and were now working at the BBC motivated me tremendously, and helped me believe that I could also do the same. BBC Senior Sports Journalist, Shajan Miah and Senior Business Advisor Lauren Lennon then followed providing advice and guidance that was worth gold – how to get experience with the BBC when there are no current work experience schemes. The answer – you can apply to either the New Voices scheme or the First Steps placement programme, they exist but are just hidden – you are welcome!
After a range of icebreaker challenges amongst the cohort, Genny Cotroneo, BCOMS North programme leader, resumed the session by providing us her top networking tips and interviewed one of my favourite speakers of the night, Rasheede Speede, assistant editor at BBC Sport. A key point that Rasheede made was to fight for the story you believe in but to do so you must build your credibility within your field to ‘back up’ your argument. In saying this, he explained how he was able to greenlight a project that initially intended to be a short interview with Olympic medal winner and actress Ronda Rousey, to an entire documentary about the WWE champions story. Rasheede’s way of storytelling was incredibly captivating, we were all engrossed with everything he shared and even when he was finished – I could have listened to more! I had the pleasure of speaking and interviewing Rasheede after, and this is a moment I will never forget. It was my first time interviewing a senior individual, with a professional camera and I even had a little audience – I was extremely nervous, I had to do so many takes! Regardless of this, Rasheede was so incredibly kind and patient with me, he gave me advice and believed in me even when I doubted myself and so did my mini audience! (BCOMS alumni.) It may seem trivial, but it was a big moment for me, and the support I received made such a positive impact on me, and boosted my confidence greatly.
We ended the night with networking amongst the cohort and the speakers, thanks Leon Mann for deciding to sit down with me so I didn’t feel short – very demure, verymindful of you. Networking is always my favourite part, I know controversial right? But I’m a people person, whether it is listening or talking to them, the intricacies of people have always been fascinating to me and the art of networking gets a bad rep, unnecessarily so. I am privileged and grateful for my humble beginnings to be in the hands of BCOMS, as I know that I am in good hands, and that I will continue to be nurtured and pushed to make the seemingly impossible, possible. Once joining BCOMS, you are now part of the ‘family’ as Jack Badu likes to say and I can confirm that it felt exactly like that. As the night came to end, I got some content of the night-time skyline. It was fitting that Old Trafford’s ‘theatre of dreams’ was staring right back at me, the dreamer that left inspired and anchored in her aspirations that night.