Lemonade Collective’s sold-out event at Rich Mix celebrated the many paths into the creative industries, while marking a new cultural partnership with social enterprise Iconic Steps to help create opportunities for emerging talent.
On Thursday 29 October, 150 filmmakers, artists, producers and industry creatives gathered at Rich Mix, London, for the latest edition of Gifted & Black, presented by Lemonade Collective. Now in its third year, the event returned with the theme No Blueprint: Finding Your Own Lane in the Creative Industries, bringing together an evening of film, candid conversation, creative play and celebration.
The sold-out event explored the unconventional paths, unexpected turns and defining decisions behind creative careers, while creating space for the kind of connection that can lead to something beyond the room itself. From the opening screening to the final dance, the evening was marked by a genuine sense of openness, energy and community.
A night shaped by creativity and connection
The programme opened with a special screening of Run Like We, a short film by Rhys Aaron Lewis, who introduced the work to the audience.
Guests were then invited to take part in an interactive activation led by Dionne Reid, founder of KiD iN YOU. Encouraging people to step outside the usual conventions of industry networking, the experience put play, spontaneity and human connection at its centre. The room was buzzing as strangers quickly became collaborators, conversations sparked and laughter filled the room. It was a fitting reminder that meaningful creative relationships are often built through shared experiences rather than formal introductions.
As Dionne explained: “Some of the best collaborations start with a shared moment, so I wanted to create a space where people can come as they are, play, laugh and naturally connect with the people around them.”
No blueprint, no single definition of success
Following a welcome from Corin West, Founder and Managing Director of Lemonade Collective, and an introduction to new cultural partner Iconic Steps, host Tina Mwazange led three intimate conversations with filmmakers Adriana Legay of Final Cut, Ricky RXSE of 1stAveMachine and Iggy LDN of Park Pictures.
Each brought a distinct perspective on building a creative career without following a predetermined path. From Adriana’s journey through music, cinematography and editing, to Ricky’s evolution as a director and visual storyteller, and Iggy’s unconventional transition from law into filmmaking, the conversations explored the risks, reinventions and unexpected opportunities that shape a creative life.
As Corin West reflected: “Creative careers are rarely as straightforward as they look from the outside. We wanted to hear from three brilliant filmmakers about what really happened along the way: the risks they took, the opportunities they spotted, the times they changed direction and the decisions that shaped their careers.”
Guiding the conversations with warmth, curiosity and a natural instinct for her guests was Tina Mwazange. Moving between three very different creative journeys, Tina created space for honest reflection, humour and moments of real insight, drawing out the experiences behind the professional highlights.
Following a break for pizza, drinks and networking, the filmmakers returned for a collective conversation and audience Q&A, bringing their different perspectives together and opening the discussion to the wider creative community.
Building pathways beyond the room: a new partnership with Iconic Steps
One of the evening’s most significant moments was the announcement of an ongoing cultural partnership between Lemonade Collective and Iconic Steps, the London-based social enterprise and production company founded by Victoria Ijeh.
Dedicated to opening doors for young people from underrepresented backgrounds, Iconic Steps combines industry-led training, mentorship and professional development with real-world production experience. The partnership will extend across Lemonade Collective’s cultural events programme, with both organisations working towards opportunities that connect emerging creatives with established industry networks.
Speaking about the partnership, Corin West said: “Our partnership with Iconic Steps is an exciting step towards building something with a lasting impact. We have access to an incredible network of creative talent and industry relationships, and we want to use those connections to help open doors, create opportunities and contribute in a way that genuinely matters.”
Victoria Ijeh, Founder and CEO of Iconic Steps, added: “At Iconic Steps, we're passionate about creating genuine pathways into the creative industries for young people who might not otherwise have access to them. Events like Gifted & Black are important because they make different career journeys visible and bring people together who might never otherwise meet. We're excited to partner with Lemonade Collective and explore how we can turn those connections into real opportunities for the next generation of creative talent.”
The partnership reflects a shared ambition to make the conversations around representation and access more tangible… connecting the visibility created by events like Gifted & Black with practical opportunities for the next generation.
A room full of possibilities
As the event came to a close, what stood out was not simply the number of people in the room, but the sense of community they helped create. Gifted & Black: No Blueprint brought together people at different stages of their careers and from across the creative industries, making space for honest exchange, shared experience and the possibility of new collaborations.
Part of Lemonade Presents, Lemonade Collective’s cultural events programme, Gifted & Black sits alongside The Female Lens, Queerness on Film and Brands Entertain Me! in a growing calendar of events designed to bring the creative industries together through culture, conversation and shared experience.
The event was presented in cultural partnership with Iconic Steps, with the generous support of Moore Kingston Smith, Final Cut Edit, Caviar, KiD iN YOU, Miller Insurance, Sheridans Solicitors, Felt Music, Looks Like Me Casting and Park Pictures, in association with Black History Month.
Lemonade Collective extends its thanks to the filmmakers, speakers, partners, supporters and everyone who joined us at Rich Mix. The Lemonade Collective team looks forward to continuing to create spaces that champion creative voices, helping turn meaningful connections into lasting opportunities.
Photographer: Femi Olubode
Videographer: Dale Hood
