Women of Colour Media Group

The Media Women who are doing it for themselves

The Women of Colour Media Group (WoCMG) was set up at the end of 2009 to celebrate and recognise the talents of women of colour in todays media industry. Now launching a new website and soon to be announced awards, the 2nd quarterly meeting held recently in the private dining area of a London restaurant was a great success.

Why? Because at this invitation only event, women supported, networked, debated, discussed and enjoyed the company of those who work within a sector where diversity is not always common. And what do these women all have in common? They all have the tenacity to excel within the media, becoming leaders in their field. From Magazine Editors, PR & Media Professionals, Enterpreneurs to Media Campaigners plus the all important seat for a budding media star.

Founder of the WoCMG Diahanne Rhiney, created the group to give back to those women who are not recognised within their field. Diahanne already runs a successful diversity marketing & PR agency called 15 Degrees which she established 15 years ago. a No stranger to recognition, Diahanne was recently awarded the Natwest 2009 Everywoman Athena Award. She acknowledges that as a black businesswoman, it takes that little bit extra to get your business in the forefront of your business peers.

Diahanne said: "The sad thing is that within the media industry, people of colour only make up seven percent of those employed within this sector. The WoCMG aims to help those prosper within this sector making the diversity pledge become a reality, as opposed to being just ink on a paper".

The group is aiming high and one of the key things that WoCMG are working towards is to act as a lobbying group to improve diversity within the sector. Ultimately, being a strong guiding voice within the media industry.

The group also wants to prevent media talent in this country moving abroad to countries like America to establish their careers due to the lack of opportunities and recognition given to women of colour within the media industy.

The WoCMG will soon be establishing the Women of Colour Media Group Awards. The categories will include Television, Radio, PR, Digital Media, Journalism, Young Person within the industry and overall award for Lifetime Achievement.

For more info please email maria@womenofcolourmediagroup.com