Shayma’s Story: Building Bolder Futures Programme

Shayma’s Story

Saluting our sisters

Over the last 18 months, we have been working with a group of 8 young Black and Brown women as part of our Building Bolder Futures programme.

Building Bolder Futures is all about bridging social mobility gaps experienced by young people of color when it comes to professional development and mentorship.

This black history month, we’re sharing Shayma’s story following her amazing placement with Black-owned luxury event design company Casa Di Gaia.

So Shayma, tell me a bit about yourself?

I’m 16 and from London, I love all things event planning, particularly design. I want to study either business/marketing at Uni to launch my own event decor business or an interior design course to build my technical skills before starting my own brand.

Oh wow, that sounds amazing, where do you think your love for event planning and design comes from?

Growing up, my mum was constantly re-designing the interior of our house, and I would watch her and beg to go out to find all the best bargains and trendiest items for the next switch around. I taught her about Pinterest and so we’d spend hours and hours sifting through for inspiration.

I think I’ve always been a very creative person, I love art but I’m also very academic so it was expected of me to pursue traditional routes like Maths or Science courses in the future. Mainly because we aren’t taught about non-conventional career routes like creative arts and design.

Amazing, you’ve got to love Pinterest! Can you tell me about your experience with the building bolder futures programme?

The programme has been amazing for me, I’ve been able to get my first bit of real experience at CDG, which has been SO eye-opening. I think I underestimated the importance of the simple, operational stuff, so it was great to see and understand that in action.

Before joining the programme, I had applied to a couple of similar work experience opportunities but I wouldn’t get responses or the placements were inaccessible for me (no payment or expenses covered etc). I don’t know anyone in the industry I want to get into so it’s very difficult to gain opportunities with no one to directly approach.

Whilst on this programme I was able to pick up useful skills like application support and interview techniques to support me in the future, as well as actual experience that I add to my CV and portfolio and real connections.

I’m currently in the process of applying for interior design placements, and I feel much more confident this time around with all of the things I’ve learned in the last year.

We agree it’s so important that people from all communities have access to opportunity. Based on your experience, what do you think needs to happen for more Black and Brown young people to gain similar experiences?

Well, I guess programmes like this are needed, they should be available for all young Black and Brown women, and companies should be responsible for making sure they are trying to reach women from diverse backgrounds.

In creative industries especially, it can be about who you know and not what you know, which means so many people without connections fall behind or are completely left out. This should be addressed and changed.

Also, better support to build the confidence of young Black and Brown people who may come from homes where their parents don’t understand or support non-traditional routes.

In your own words, why is it important that we prioritise engaging young Black and Brown women or people?

If it’s just the same people getting opportunities and jobs, then there’s no diversity in thoughts and ideas. Black and Brown people bring fresh, diverse perspectives that may be reflective of their unique experiences and journeys. Creativity is all about uniqueness, and design should be constantly evolving.

It’s 2023, and the playing field is still not level, things have to change now to benefit all young people and all industries. Opportunities like this programme provide those that may otherwise get left behind with the tangible support and access they need to get their foot in the door.