Working in the media, I rarely see diversity and at times it can be difficult to relate to colleagues due to different cultures and upbringing. I’ve been battling racism both verbally and physically all of my life, and REFLECT is a chance to provide an outlet for truly inclusive media. REFLECT is an opportunity to influence and encourage change in the next generation, to see themselves as media professionals changing the landscape of media, not just in a tokenistic manner, but in a true genuine fashion that can reflect how society should be portrayed in media.

Kalil Irving

I’ve been in media and marketing for my entire career. As a woman, I’ve personally experienced the glass ceiling and misogyny. These days there is a better representation of women in media, although it’s not half at C-suite levels by any stretch of the imagination. Nor is media diverse. Either in race, creed, colour, sexuality, disability, neurodiversity – difference is not adequately represented. This needs to change. Advertising and content that is played out to the masses should similarly be created by any and all different kinds of folk. Diverse media made by diverse talent. And viewed by a diverse population. So, that’s why we set up REFLECT. We’d like to be part of that change. 
Why did we set it up as a not for profit CIC? Our hope is to encourage young adults, returning mums, ex-retirees, folk of all backgrounds into media and content creation. The profits we make will fund apprenticeships, training courses, internships, college places. And offer careers at REFLECT itself. 
As a white middle-class agency owner, what on earth do I know about social immobility? As a child, I came from a socio-economically poor family. My dad went bankrupt. Free school meals, second-hand clothes, ‘a common accent’ and no expectation of going to university. That would mean I was getting above myself. My expectations were set very low – both at school and at home. I fell into media quite by chance. I was one of the lucky ones. We’d like to help others to find their luck, too.

Nicki Murphy

REFLECT represents everything I am each day. I was born with a symbrachydactyly right hand. This is a rare congenital defect where my fingers are abnormally short and conjoined. As a disabled media professional spanning over a decade, I’ve experienced awkward handshakes, uneasy opinions and discrimination against fellow colleagues. I have recognised the problems and issues that need tackling, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the change that REFLECT is bringing to our everyday lives. I believe it’s important we all come together and celebrate differences, to work across a truly inclusive industry. It’s about time media was #opentoall!

James Wright

When I became a marketer, I would always get asked about my motivations for choosing this career path. My response was always the same – I wanted to see more people that represent me and my family reflected in advertising and media. Today, 16 years on, I still feel the same way, but this time I am actively and passionately championing change and fair representation at every opportunity. I am moved and inspired by so many people in my personal life, like my nine-year-old niece, who was born with a neurological and development disorder. I’ve seen first hand how these communities are excluded from the media – like a family secret that shouldn’t be shared – and represented poorly. But enough is enough. I want my niece to have a fair shot at life and live her life the best way she possibly can. That is why I’m team REFLECT. This new agency will give me the opportunity to finally see myself represented in the media as a Black woman from a diverse family, which includes a beautiful young girl called Myah.

Ancella Thomas-Evans

At The River Group, we encourage diversity and foster inclusion. It’s from that we draw our strength. In my team, we have people from different countries, different ethnic backgrounds, with different life choices and experiences, all working towards a common goal. I am proud of this project. It exemplifies what The River Group is all about, which is moving forward together. REFLECT is an excellent idea and a project that we can be genuinely excited to watch grow at River. It represents a perfect chance to be involved in an agency that will make a difference in people's lives. I'm looking forward to seeing new talent flourish and prosper in our industry.

Gavin Love

Having worked in broadcasting, publishing and content marketing, I’ve noticed the same patterns emerge and the same top-down, blinkered approach to diversity and inclusion time and time again. I’ve seen it in my workplaces, in marketing campaigns, and I’ve heard it from the young women I’ve mentored in the early stages of their careers, where opportunities feel out of reach or their lack of confidence and sense of feeling out of place puts them off applying for roles. So, when my colleagues presented the idea for REFLECT, I jumped at the chance to get involved, as I want to not just talk about the change that I feel needs to happen, but be a part of that change. The fact that REFLECT is a CIC and will offer training and employment opportunities for people to grow their careers in media, as well as offering a truly inclusive talent management service, really excites me. We’ve got a unique opportunity to create lasting change and I’m looking forward to seeing where this takes us!

Sarah Howell

Having worked in media for 11 years, first hand experience has shown me that there is a lack of diversity, inclusion and representation across the UK media industry. Equal representation in the media is paramount and to join a team so focused on achieving this through working with influencers and brands is an honour. As well as my belief in what we re going to achieve at REFLECT, I have also recently registered as disabled. From talking to others in a similar position I have been motivated but also educated on the need for change. We work in a sector that collectively we can make a difference to and show what real equal representation looks like. Working with the REFLECT Team and seeing the passion that is driving this new agency is exciting and inspiring.

Anthony Bennett

Talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not. That needs to change. I’m one of the lucky ones. I’ve always had support, and been given opportunity that I’ve taken. I feel guilty about that. I don’t want to think that opportunity should be prohibitive just because of where you’ve come from. We need to level the playing field. We live in a world where real change to diversity and inclusion is achingly slow, and at REFLECT we want to be part of the change. We will give people from every corner of society a chance to shine and show their brilliance and talent to the world. We don’t want to do this to make money. We want to do this because we care. We care that everyone – no matter who they are, where they’ve come from, what they look like, or how they think – deserves an equal chance in life.