Make way for MANDEM

In 2016, a damning survey conducted by The City University London found diversity in the British journalism industry is shockingly low. Of almost 30,000 journalists sampled, 94 per cent were white. After constant frustrations and conversations surrounding the distinct lack of diversity within the sector, Elias Williams, a third year film student from UWE Bristol, decided that it was time for a much-needed change.

The outcome was MANDEM, an online platform that offers young men of colour the chance to express themselves and finally get their voices heard. The platform aims to explore not only difficult and relevant topics such as masculinity, mental health and race, but also articles that offer escapism and humour.

“The name MANDEM was a deliberate choice because it is relevant and speaks to an audience that we are trying to reach,” Elias begins. “We need to reach young black males who perhaps feel disenfranchised and unrepresented in the media. The platform encourages all of us to try and challenge the stereotypes that exist around men of colour within the media industry”.

Elias, who has been the driving forced behind the project’s immense momentum, described the growing response as a “snowball effect”. Public recognition of the concept has come after a string of successful panel discussions held by the online platform. Their most recent discussion, MANDEM Don’t Cry was held at Arnolfini and discussed the links between masculinity and poor mental health.

“I think that it is crucial that men are finally learning that the traditional notions of masculinity that we abide to are damaging to ourselves in a lot of ways,” he says of the event. “I just think we need to make sure that the conversation is as open and as diverse as possible, because everyone has a different perception of masculinity. It’s something so hard to quantify, that we have to be careful when we analyse it and break it down. It’s not a simple issue to deconstruct.”

An illustration of grime artist Stormzy, created for a MANDEM article by Eric Sings

The platform also aims to showcase positive role models to younger generations. Elias questions some of the celebrities young people look up to, including rappers with lyrcis containing references to misogyny and violence, and instead looks for a new form of male role model: one that talks openly and honestly about the experiences of young men of colour and the issues that must be dealt with with in current society.

The platform’s inspirational and unique logo is a perfect example of Elias’ message of hope and ambition for younger generations coming forward. The logo depicts Mansa Musa, who was a 14th century African Emperor who ruled over the Kingdom of Mali. Mansa Musa was one of the richest emperors and was chosen by Elias as a relatively unknown and untold story. The platform therefore aims to celebrate black history as a means to inspire.

“If people of colour are always told the narrative that you started through slavery and came up through slavery then it does naturally burden you with a victimhood mentality and I don’t think in the long run that is beneficial to us,” Elias says.

Film still from a video created by MANDEM, depicting emperor of Mali Mansa Musa, who Elias sees as a symbol of powerful black history

However, while the platform uniquely focuses on young men of colour and their representation within the media industry, Elias is quick to say that he hopes MANDEM will be a broad church for all those who can identify with the issues it covers.

“MANDEM is important is because it’s crucial to present an alternative to the alt-right movement that doesn’t just fall in to the stereotypical ‘social justice warrior’ category,” Elias says. “Quite frankly, I hope that there are people on the alt-right side who can identify with MANDEM and can relate to the issues that we talk about.”

This isn’t the first platform of its type to come out of Bristol: Gal-dem is a platform created for women of colour by University of Bristol graduate Liv Little, who has gone on to appear on the front cover of Vogue for her efforts in diversifying the media industry.

“She’s killing it,” Elias says. “Gal-dem was definitely an inspiration. I remember being in first year and I was introduced to Gal-dem when they were small and not as big as they are now – I remember thinking this is cool. They were definitely an inspiration but I think our platforms are different because they are a publication and are very article-based and do a lot of written stuff. Obviously with me being a filmmaker, I am interested in the visual media side.”

While Elias is well aware of the “hustling and grinding” that is needed in order to maintain MANDEM’s upward trajectory, the future looks exciting, with 2018 already busy. Elias hints at further panel discussions and videos to come, along with regular updates to the platform.

“With the video content that we are producing, there is definitely the opportunity for us to reach bigger audiences,” he says. “There is now a demand for it. So, I am super excited.”

To find out more about MANDEM, visit mandemhood.com.