Cephas Williams’ Post

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Human

“This is what you were born to do” - Was it worth it once again? Spending my own money, 10’s of thousands of pounds to take around 70 Black people to the Cannes Lions Festival?….. Yes, it was. When I look at what this has been able to enable for others, words can’t really describe what has been achieved, and the value ad to the Black Network community, the festival and organisations who have benefited from our collective presence and contribution. I’m often stopped as I navigate Cannes and greeted with love and appreciated by people from all backgrounds, this doesn’t go un noted and is very encouraging to experience. At the same time, despite how powerful and important this work is, not everyone wants to see it happen. As a leader, you will face many battles, especially when you are working to support and positively impact Black people. I’m not sure why this is, but many thought leaders / change makers are not often supported in the way they should be. Many are appreciated better after they die, so as much as I don’t do this for praise, it does evoke a positive emotion in me when I see that people appreciate and value me in my lifetime. It’s not always easy to continue to give to people and show love in the face of hatred or unwarranted negative behaviour. This year someone apologized to me for the way they had been led to view me and as a result the way they chose to behave towards me negatively, I wasn’t quite sure how to respond to this and it did hurt, I can’t lie. I don’t know half the people who have receive negative and false information about me or my character, but I genuinely wish you nothing but peace. Because when you find that peace, I will no longer be the subject of whatever it is you are battling with. My only current fight is with systemic racism and those who enable it, not with my brothers and sisters. To anyone watching me, navigating negative energy in the face of being a blessing. Regardless of how people view you, the stories or pictures people may paint about you behind your back, the appreciation you do or do not receive at any level of change, whether you’re changing something within your family dynamic, local community or on a global stage. Continue to be a blessing. “This is what you were born to do” Support the work I’m doing here - https://lnkd.in/eegZMFDn If you’d like to partner with us please email bn@cephaswilliams.com The Black Network / Together We Are Stronger #BlackOut2024 / Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity

If you’d like to partner with us please email bn@cephaswilliams.com

Thank you to everyone who has shown love in your own posts and on this post. I value and appreciate you all. Blessings 🖤

Edward Odofin (LL.B.) (PRINCE2) (CMP) (CBCI) (MoR)

Acting Head of Business Resilience at the BBC | Project, Change, Business Continuity and Resilience Leader | BCI Awards Europe 2022 Winner | Neurodiversity, Diversity and Inclusion Advocate

3w

This was such a bittersweet experience for me - I am honoured to be part of something so monumental and impactful with my brothers and sisters at The Black Network, what has been achieved in such a short period of time is truly amazing however i’m upset that after spending over 10 years in Media, this is the only opportunity i’ve had to go to Cannes Lions, the epicentre of all things advertising - there is further work to be done and ive started those convos internally - organisations have the resources and finances to scale this to unbelievable heights so 2025 i’ll be expecting you all to stand with The Black Network in taking this iniative to new heights

Thomas Hodge

Brand Marketing Manager at SciPlay

3w

The velvet durag to cap it all off at Cannes is tough🔥

Carrie Kenyon

Global Sales and Ops Director, Finger Industries. Award winning animation studio. Founder, Ouch!

3w

I read a post the other day, and to paraphrase (can't remember who was the author, apologies and do name yourself if you see this!) it talked about how Cannes has changed to be more corporate, how agencies are no longer covering the ticket costs for young creatives to attend. Its saddening that you had to pay out of your own pocket to achieve this Cephas Williams and it's shameful that accessibility to Cannes is so difficult for so many dreamers and disrupters. Kudos to you, and please do share what it says on the screen in the film.

Brandi Rand, CDMP

Award-winning Marketer | Speaker | Mom | Connector | Investor

3w

Chills as if I was on those steps in that moment. Salute. More than a pleasure meeting you last week, sir.

Audrey Hall

Podcaster, award winning Presenter Producer, specialist long form and music journalist, committed to Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB). #Tellingitasitis! on #stuffthatmatters in work and in life!

3w

Thank you for your candour Cephas Williams . We are on a long journey constantly rolling with the punches with people on the outside rarely recognising the personal sacrifices made to share our truth - in whatever art form. And with comments supporting deib shared with great encouragement from people who have jobs, the reality of the freelancer, consultant or more likely, the volunteer is never expressed… And so you put up and shut up or do something about it. And that is what you have clearly done and I applaud you. Your candour has given me the spur to speak my truth. Black & brown female creatives 35+ are at the bottom of the pile across the arts industry. And I am saying this bottom of the barrel disparity for mature female creatives is not OK, so I am putting my money where my mouth is, encouraging such conversations offering a different #Grownup perspective of who and what we are through the #sss, working together with industry for parity. It was launched at WOW end May and we’re at the start with membership signups, collecting opinion in the survey to help focus our services and direction. And I will gladly partner with you.

Dudley Sawyerr

Health & Social Care Business Consultant | DE&I Champion I HealthTech | Trainer | Mental Health & Well Being | Speaker | Host/Moderator

3w

Top stuff Cephas Williams much appreciated the grind and hardwork to bring the Black voice to Cannes. Great seeing you there and sure we will be connecting more in the future. Big up to the family and the Little man ✊🏿

Moments we will never forget.

Samuel Obaseki

Presenter at Sky Sports

3w

Historic 🙌🏾

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