#BGFAcademyAlumni — Kafayat Ayofe-Hall
Black Girl Fest Academy is a seven-month community-focused creative programme, created by Black Girl Festival, in association with Today at Apple and The Mayor of London.
Over the past few months, we’ve supported 30 Black women aged 17–25, equipping them with the tools to create events for their local communities. We’re excited to introduce our Academy Alumni sharing more about their event ideas.
Meet Kafayat Ayofe-Hall, founder of Thrive Digital — Thrive Digital will provide young black women with practical skills to live more sustainably; it will also showcase the sustainable businesses that have been launched by Black women within fashion and beauty industries
Kafayat Ayofe-Hall
Tell us more about your event, How did you come up with it? What impact do you hope it makes for your community?
I was inspired to create a platform which uplifts the voices of black women within the sustainability movement, to debunk the narrative that only affluent white people care about the environment. I was further incensed when Vanessa Nakate was erased from other a photo within others which contained other young, white climate activists. I decided to create a space to showcase black women who are attempting to live more sustainably and who have launched ethical businesses so that they can inspire and provide practical tips to other young black women who want to do the same.
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to sign up to the Black Girl Fest Academy programme?
Go for it! You will learn so many new skills, within a supportive environment. You will also have the opportunity to network with so many amazing young black women who are passionate about serving their communities!
Thrive
What have you learnt whilst being on the programme?
I have learnt how to build a brand; how to take a kernel of an idea into something tangible. I have also learnt to push myself out of my comfort zone, the importance of networking and how this can be leveraged to facilitate whatever mission you are trying to achieve.
Could you give 3 piece’s of advice you would give to someone who wants to run events for their community?
Identify a need, make sure your event is actually serving a purpose.
Tell your event idea to as many people as possible, explaining your idea will help you refine it, and this will come in handy when you begin to pitch for funding as you will know your event inside out.
It is never to early to start budgeting!
