WELCOME TO
BLACKSTAGE UK

The Documentary Web series centering black voices in the UK Arts and Entertainment industries.

Our stories, told by us

A candid look into the experiences of racial discrimination and bias, from those who have lived it.

Now that you know. What will you do?

ABOUT BLACKSTAGE UK

OUR STORY

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BlackStage UK is a documentary style web series created and produced by Gabrielle Brooks. 

It is a cathartic sharing of accounts for the black community that allows space for healing but also acts as a tool and source for anti-racist learning for the Arts community and beyond. 

Born from an idea she had in 2018, Gabrielle Brooks (Actor and Creative Producer) started BlackStage UK in 2020. Provoked by the response of the Arts industry after the tragic and horrific events of the summer that led to the deaths of George Floyd, Armaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor.

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Episode 10

BEYOND DIVERSITY

What are issues and solutions that exist beyond diversity initiatives and quotas? How can we secure long lasting change and understand as black communities the power we have to incite change for ourselves?

YOUTUBE CHANNEL

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Is the ideology of colourism an issue in the Arts Community and in the UK?

In a nutshell, yes. While the origins of colourism date back to slavery, the television, theatre and film industries have certainly upheld its power and influence. Casting directors, producers, and directors are still being guided by their unconscious bias in opting for actors/ performers with eurocentric features over those with darker complexions. The Oxford dictionary describes Colourism as a “prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone.”
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UK Representation: The Backlash

A recent survey from Channel 4 highlighted that a total of 51% of Black, Asian and other minority ethnic people feel that UK television advertising does not represent different cultures. In response to the recent resurgence of the black lives matter movement there was a stark increase in black and brown representation in the summer months of 2020 into the winter months. But how did the UK feel about this ‘change of pace.’ The Gravy Song was the title of Sainsburys’ 2020 Christmas advert.
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Where are you in your journey of Allyship?

It’s no secret that last year opened up a pandora’s box to the anti-blackness that continues to plague the world. Rightly so, it also opened up a conversation about the elitism the UK Arts and Entertainment industries have perpetuated for many many years. The Arts sector has traditionally been perceived as a pinnacle of liberalism and inclusion, but in recent months the dialogue has changed and the vital structural changes that must occur to combat racism have been exposed
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Enquiries

BlackStageUK@gmail.com

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