RISE Extends Programme to Support More UK Black-Owned Businesses

Weber Shandwick launched its Rise initiative with the Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) in 2021.

It aims to increase the visibility and representation of Black-owned businesses across the media landscape, ensuring the industry “mirrors the vibrancy of the Black business community”.

The next iteration of Rise is open for applications from Black-owned businesses seeking to “supercharge” their profile. Applications close on 7 June 2024.

In its 2024 cohort, Weber Shandwick and the BBBAwards will work with three promising businesses to grow their reach and influence with mainstream audiences.

Each chosen business will receive £20,000-worth of consultancy time from Weber Shandwick tailored to each business’ specific needs, ranging across creative campaigns, strategic positioning, thought leadership, social media and political advocacy.

So far Weber Shandwick has worked with five Black-owned businesses from the BBBAwards community of entrepreneurs on a pro-bono basis through the scheme, including Nigerian tapas restaurant Chuku’s, 2017 finalists of the BBBAwards.

The Weber Shandwick-backed Chuku’s campaign reportedly secured 800 bookings in six weeks and a viral launch video gained 700,000 views, with engagements from high-profile figures including British model Jourdan Dunn and rugby union player Maro Itoje.

Ifey and Emeka Frederick, co-founders of Chuku’s, said, “We already knew how expensive PR fees are, and for a small business like us, having an agency on a retainer wasn’t feasible. However, I don’t think we anticipated the difference having Weber Shandwick alongside us would make. They’ve come to really feel like a part of the Chuku’s team and we can lean on them for advisory support.”

In the first cohort of Rise, Weber Shandwick also worked with Inclusion Labs, which creates programmes that embed inclusivity into schools. The cohort also featured 2018 BBBAwards Person of the Year Roni Savage and her engineering company Jomas Associates; remote diagnostic solutions provider TekiHealth; and BBBAwards Judge Eva Sonaike’s sustainable luxury interiors company which specialises in West African prints in soft furnishings.

Eva Sonaike, creative director and founder of her eponymous company, said, “Participating in the Rise programme has been a transformative experience for my business, especially in understanding and engaging our diverse audiences. The detailed insights into audience behaviour, competitor activities and market dynamics have been instrumental in implementing a robust marketing approach.”

Dr Sophie Chandauka MBE, chair and executive founder of the Black British Business Awards said, “I am immensely proud of our partnership with Weber Shandwick and the transformative Rise initiative. Together, we recognise the critical importance of publicity and product placement in ensuring that Black-owned businesses breakthrough and prosper in the B2C and B2B global marketplace. From Nigerian tapas sensation Chuku’s to the creative brilliance of Eva Sonaike, whose products feature in prestigious stores such as Liberty, Amara and Selfridges in London, each success contributes to our mission of reshaping narratives, breaking barriers, and redefining possibilities.”

Helen Bennett, UK chief executive of Weber Shandwick, said, “It has been impressive to see colleagues across our business come together for this cause, helping cement Rise as a core part of our commitment to enact lasting change that addresses systemic inequalities within our control. We are looking forward to continuing the BBBAwards partnership and supporting the next cohort of businesses to see how we can continue to help raise the visibility of Black-owned businesses to a wider range of audiences.”

To apply to RISE, please visit here.