The Be United Creative Partnership Conference has announced Dr Eunice Olumide as its keynote speaker. Taking place on Friday 21 February, you can book your free place at the conference here. 

Designed to provide an inclusive platform for Black creatives, professionals, and industry organisations to network, collaborate, and develop their skills, Be United’s Creative Partnerships Conference aims to share insights from leading industry professionals. The day-long event will include sessions on professional and personal development from maintaining mental wellbeing to conquering financial challenges. 

Olumide promises to share insights on her values and how her expansive career has led her to model for advertising campaigns all over the world as well as making her mark in art curation, filmmaking, acting, presenting and writing. She has consistently used her platform to advocate for Black voices in the arts, as well as being a campaigner for sustainable fashion. In November 2024, Olumide received an honorary doctorate from Open University Scotland.

Whilst Olumide is the tentpole announcement for the conference, it will also welcome contributions from MoneyMatix CEO Tynah Matembe, artist and choreographer Ashanti Harris, Be United founder and executive director Emma Sithole, Be United creative director Collin Hills, creative producer Serena Piotto, mindfulness coach Natasha Iregbu, anti-oppression trainer and therapist Ellie Muniandy, and film director, critic and cultural communications expert Monika Navickaitė.

Be United programme coordinator Sharon Thomas said, ‘When programming events, I always ask myself, what kind of experiences do I wish I had access to but never did? This year's Creative Partnerships Conference is a response to that very question. It is a day of talks and workshops designed to connect and uplift Black creatives at every stage of their career.

‘The gathering is not just about networking; it's about creating meaningful moments for growth, collaboration, and inspiration. Our goal is for individuals to walk away feeling empowered – equipped with holistic and practical tools they can use to advance their professional development and nurture their mental health and well-being practices.’

Olumide said, ‘I’ m really looking forward to this event. Organisations like Be United are vital to the development and diversity of our community.’

The announcement comes alongside a week of good news for Be United, which celebrated being granted Multi-Year Funding from Creative Scotland alongside 250 other creative and cultural organisations. Discussing the funding, representatives for Be United said, ‘The three-year funding cycle will allow the organisation to deliver an ambitious programme of events and development opportunities building on the success of this year’s Creative Partnerships Conference. 

‘This programme of events and initiatives to both upskill Black talent and develop more opportunities for emerging creatives and event staff will allow the organisation to deliver on its goal to support 500 Black people into and up in the creative industries over the next five years. The milestone demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to our community and to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion within the sector.’

Be United Creative Partnerships Conference, Advanced Research Centre (ARC), University of Glasgow, Friday 21 February.