The new channel 4 recruit shining a light on Bristol’s diverse talent

In the not-too-distant future, Stacey Olika would like there to be no need for a conversation about diversity because it will be so entrenched in creative industries.

The graphic designer, who has been newly appointed by Channel 4, is setting the wheels in motion to make that vision a reality.

“I’m just happy to be in this position and I’m hoping we can shine a light on the amazing diversity we have in the region,” she tells Bristol24/7.

“I did not realise how powerful it could be to be a young black women and be able to be in this position and how that could influence a generation. It’s about being a catalyst for people to see themselves in this position.”

When Channel 4 announced Bristol would be the home of one of its new creative hubs, it was hailed as an opportunity to champion diversity, be a catalyst for change within creative industries and shift away from the previously London-centric focus of national broadcasters.

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Read more: ‘New era’ for broadcaster as Channel 4 officially opens Bristol hub

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Part of this work saw the appointment of Stacey as the company’s creative diversity coordinator in April this year, with a focus on the South West region, as well as Neila Butt as the new creative diversity lead, based in Leeds.

At the time, Stacey said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Channel 4 team in Bristol and bringing together more of the South West’s undeniable talent.

“Representation must be at the heart of everything we do in this industry, and I’m looking forward to helping ensure Channel 4’s content represents and authentically portrays a wide range of voices, backgrounds and experiences from across the UK.”

Stacey Olika is set to shine a light on the diversity of talent in the region – photo courtesy of Stacey Olika

Speaking to Bristol24/7 just a couple of weeks after the announcement, St George-based Stacey is excited to have secured the position (and to be going into an office following a long lockdown).

“I had always thought you have to be in London for creative opportunities, but actually staying here has proved to be the right place for me,” says the 24-year-old, who was born in the USA and lived in Switzerland before moving to Bristol at the age of eight, where she has lived ever since.

She continues: “I just want to shine a light on creative people who are under-represented. It’s about being able to tap into that creative stream and show the UK, and the world, that this place that has at times been neglected, actually has so much talent.

“It’s just about allowing people to flourish and seeing more representation on and off-screen and more spaces for black creatives and other diverse groups.”

Stacey studied graphic design at UWE Bristol and became an “accidental freelancer” after graduating, always seeking out projects that meant something to her and championed her work around representation and identity.

She has worked with various organisations, including Rising Arts Agency, and was working as a production management assistant for the digital team at the BBC when she was approached about the Chanel 4 role.

“I never thought that I wanted to go into TV,” admits Stacey.

“But when I think about representation on and off-screen, it always comes back to TV. Even being a young girl, seeing myself in art and on TV and how we were portrayed wasn’t always inclusive.

“Being a young, black girl, there are creative spaces where you do not see yourself represented; it’s surreal because you did not even think you could be in those spaces. It was not even something I thought about before so then to be in this position now is just a bit overwhelming.”

Stacey worked for the BBC before landing the job at Channel 4 – photo by Parys Gardener

It was Mel Rodrigues, the founder of Gritty Talent, who first approached Stacey about the Channel 4 job. The newly appointed creative diversity coordinator says organisations such as Gritty Talent and Rising Arts Agency play a monumental role in the city in nurturing diverse talent and opening up opportunities.

“It’s because of them I have been able to work with so many organisations and make my mark,” says Stacey.

Looking to the future and what she hopes to achieve in the role, she adds: “What I hope will change is we will not even have to talk about representation because it’s already part of the norm rather than a separate conversation.

“And when we talk about creativity, we are talking about the whole of the UK, not just London.”

Main photo by Parys Gardener 

Read more: ‘Channel 4 want to take risks here in Bristol’