Introducing ‘Join Our Table’: A New UK Collective for Black British Women in Advertising and Media

Above: The founding members of Join Our Table pictured left to right: Annika Allen, Chloe Davies, Gerry Anyanwu, Maria McDowell, Collette Philip, Elizabeth Anyaegbuna, Nadine Leighton, Samantha Lewis

Join Our Table is proud to announce its official launch as a new UK initiative celebrating Black British women and creating a platform of equity and visibility for Black women in the communications industries. The collective was founded by eight influential Black British women from across the industry. It launches in October 2023.

Join Our Table was conceived at this year's Cannes Lions Festival of Advertising, where, despite some notable efforts to spotlight diversity, its founding members recognised a crucial gap in the representation of Black British women, particularly in panel discussions and judging panels. As an immediate response to this, these women devised Join Our Table with a clear mission to celebrate Black women in the UK advertising and media industry and champion increased visibility, not only at Cannes, but throughout the sector. 

At a time where the advertising industry is at risk of losing 30% of its Black talent (All In census 2023) and the anti-racism initiatives that followed 2020’s resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement are fast disappearing; Join Our Table launches in October 2023. The platform will amplify the work that Black women are doing across this industry and kicks off with the UK’s 2023 Black History theme ‘Saluting our sisters’, a celebration of sisterhood and the matriarchy.

Gerry Anyanwu, client director at Global Media, and founding member of Join Our Table said, “As a 40+ Black woman, I want to use my position to support my wider community. The Black female position in the workplace is too often a hard struggle. I want this campaign to say boldly “we see you; we see how hard you work, and we got you sis.”

Join Our Table is sponsored by Brand By Me, a brand and strategy consultancy focused on social justice. It will launch with an outdoor campaign created by Brand By Me, with advertising space donated by C-Screens, IQOOOH, JC Decaux and Clear Channel.

Collette Philip, founder of Brand By Me, and joint creative director for the campaign said, “As a Black female founder, I know first-hand that a seat at the table can be a double-edged sword. This campaign is about showing up for Black women on our own terms. I’m super proud that Brand By Me is sponsoring this powerful campaign, using our resources to amplify Black women in the communications industries”.

Steve Chambers, commercial director of C-Screens, said, “C-Screens are happy and proud to support this initiative. We are committed to supporting and championing this great cause and will endeavour to use our platform as a catalyst for change.”

The digital outdoor campaign, created by Brand by Me, is a clear call to action with the strapline “It’s time to celebrate Black women”. It features uplifting, colourful images of the 8 founders together against bold headlines – each execution designed to illustrate community and joy and challenge stereotypes. The campaign was shot by photographer Crystal Nyarko and art directed by Thad Cox, for Brand by Me. Brand by Me also commissioned a custom music track, developed specifically for the campaign called ‘Wings’, written and performed by James Junior.

Join Our Table is partnering with Bloom UK, WACL (Women in Communication and Advertising and Leadership) and Media For All, three industry networks on a social media campaign throughout October. All activity will drive people to the campaign spotlight hub, joinourtable.co.uk showcasing Black British women within the advertising, media, and marketing industries. This hub promises to be a valuable resource for event organisers, businesses, and media outlets that intend to amplify minoritized voices.

The founding members of Join Our Table are: 

• Gerry Anyanwu (client director, Global Media) 
• Collette Philip (founder, Brand By Me)
• Elizabeth Anyaegbuna (founder, 16 X 9 Media)
• Samantha Lewis (account manager, Kinetic)
• Nadine Leighton (marketing consultant)
• Chloe Davies (founder, it takes a village)
• Annika Allen (head of diversity and inclusion, ALL 3 Media)
• Maria McDowell (founder, Lollipop Mentoring)

For more information about Join Our Table and their mission, please visit here.