When it comes to making progress on diversity, the creative industries have often been accused of focusing on talk, ahead of taking real action to drive change. 

With only 13.7% of UK advertising agency employees coming from Black, Asian or minority backgrounds according to the IPA, there is a desperate need for greater diversity within the creative industries. But traditional internships are fit only for a select few, often unattainable for those working to support themselves financially or without contacts in the industry.

This is where The Brooklyn Brothers’ Night School programme comes in. Now in its second year, the free training and mentoring initiative was launched to attract more diverse talent into the creative industries and support them in finding work and placements once the programme was over.

The programme is open to 18-25 year olds from ethnically diverse backgrounds and this year, is available to students nationwide due to the virtual nature of the training.

The Night School programme offers students an opportunity to receive free training facilitated by guest tutors from a wide range of creative industry sectors, including music, fashion, journalism and film production. 

Following graduation, each student is paired with a mentor to help them take the next steps in their creative career. Throughout the process every student develops a personal manifesto, designed to encapsulate their individual creative ambition. From the class of 2019, 80% of graduates are now in paid employment in the creative industries.

The six-week course starts in November with several of the sessions to be led by 2019 graduates paying it forward. These grads will take the lead on this year’s curriculum, collaborating with The Brooklyn Brothers and guest experts across a wide range of fields to share their collective wisdom with this year’s young creatives.

The Night School programme is designed to empower and educate young creatives; to unlock their potential and show them, and the industry, what they are capable of. The old adage of actions speak louder than words never rang so true as it does with the creative industry’s attitude to diversity. With Night School, The Brooklyn Brothers are demonstrating what can happen when a community lifts up the next generation of talent.

Entries for Night School are now open for all 18-25 year olds. Visit the Night School website to find out more and register your interest.