Disruptive Futures: The young people who are changing the face of the future of work and entrepreneurship
Make Shift Create is a youth-led organisation that takes an innovative approach to reducing barriers to enterprise for young people. They provide space for young people to work and trade, creating hubs that nurture talent through increased connectivity and access to information. Crucially, their model is founded on the principle of learning through action, empowering young people to launch their enterprises and ideas into the public sphere.
Team:
Shaun Danquah
Sebastian Turano
Marcus Tayebwa
Bayo Obasaju
Jen Christie
For various and often discussed reasons, young people from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities, and low socio-economic backgrounds are underrepresented in the creative and digital industries (CDI). Instead of asking “what is it that these young people are not doing” to try and explain this underrepresentation, The Social Innovation Partnership and Make Shift Create came together to explore instead what we call ‘Disruptors’ are doing. Disruptors are successful, ambitious young people from underrepresented communities who have developed successful, creative businesses outside of the traditional ecosystem in the CDI.
The Disruptive Futures is our collective attempt to make sense of a familiar story. The story is about a young black person from an estate or council house taking inspiration from their surroundings and wanting to bring their ideas and talent to the CDI. The story is also about the CDI situating itself in a place like Brixton and adopting the gestures and vocabulary of equality, and proclaiming it wants to make a space for young people, but being unable to connect. What is missing here?
This research is driven by a desire to change the harmful preconception that continues to inform the practice and strategies deployed to engage with young people in London’s inner city. At the heart of this research are questions around cultural production and cultural ownership.
Through this research we aim to showcase Disruptor’s stories and shed like on their movement. We also identify key characteristics of Disruptors, unpack the disconnect between the sector and young people, explore how Disruptors develop ideas in informal settings and provide insights on how we can ensure that more equitable opportunities exist for young people from underrepresented communities.
“I am optimistic by nature. And why not. I am seeing social movements open up new doors. I am seeing people like me achieving generational wealth. I am seeing communities grow and I want that for me too. I want the freedom to wake up in the morning and do what I want to do and help people with my creativity”
Insight and Perspectives
Over the past year, TSIP and Centric have worked with and researched what we call 'Disruptors'. Disruptors are successful entrepreneurs and creative young people from underrepresented communities. In this blog, Sebastian shares his perspectives on what a day with a Disruptor looks like and how they inspire him and others.