24 Most Influential Bristolians Under 24 – The 2016 List

06/12/2016
Rife Editor

Here at Rife magazine we are all about celebrating and nurturing your talent. This is our third list of 24 Influential Bristolians Under 24.

If you’re young and making movements in Bristol, we want to know about it. And we want to write about it.

We’ve gathered together 24 influential people in Bristol under 24 below.

Why?

We want to celebrate everything they’ve done for Bristol and for youth culture in the city. This isn’t the be all and end all of lists – no, it’s a conversation-starter. It’s a list designed to get you thinking. Who are we missing? Who do we need to know about? We’re here to celebrate all the talented young people of Bristol.

Here are our influential Bristolians under 24, in music, film, technology, fashion, social issues, politics and art, the 2016 class:

MOTIVATION: Lewis Wedlock

Lewis is a Bristolian university student currently studying Psychology with Sociology. He founded ‘Altiefe’ in February 2016, which amalgamates blogging, livestreaming and podcasting to inspire young adults to improve their lives and approach success from a different perspective. He is also a proud young advisor to Off The Record to help further develop the young mental health service for young adults in Bristol. Find him on Instagram here

Lewis said: This is an incredibly humbling moment for me as a young creator. I am honoured to receive this nomination. As a fan and follower of Rife this is something I will hold onto forever. Just being regarded as influential is enough to make my year – thank you.

MOTIVATION: Cameron Parker

Cameron is the UK’s #1 Schools Motivational speaker, not only inspiring thousands of students in Bristol but also around the UK. With a shaky upbringing, making some terrible decisions and getting bad grades in school Cameron has managed to turn his life around, focusing on education, completing his university degree despite having dyslexia and being the first person in his family to do so. Cameron also runs a business, working with and inspiring the younger generation in the UK. Check out his website here. Youtube. Twitter. Instagram

Cameron said: To be nominated for this is an incredible thing. Bristol is very close to my heart, and it is great to know my motivational work is having an impact, it makes all the hard work worth it. This is only the beginning, there is much more work to be done but I do appreciate the support and love from everyone.

FILM: Luke Barnett

Luke is a keen freelance film editor who works in digital marketing. He creates a host of online videos including rants and lifestyle vlogs. Driving around the country seeing friends is something he lives for and his family and friends are what he wakes up for. Youtube

Luke said: The creative industry is a must for me and I’m so lucky to live in Bristol where it is so driven. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard to get where you want to be, but I always remember that it could be a lot harder. Being exposed to opportunities that this city creates is amazing. Even walking around the city, I struggle to remember the last time I didn’t see someone walking round with a camera.

ART: Rosie Mclay

Rosie is a self employed artist and events director, co-ordinating markets, shops and exhibitions. Whilst studying Art at UWE, she directed the Market at the Moon and started selling her artwork as well as managing large exhibitions for her fellow art students. Now she co-directs the Bristol Bazaar markets and pop up shops alongside running her art business, being a technician at Spike Print Studio, picture framer at The Little Framing Company and chair for Synecdoche Art Community. Website. Instagram. Twitter.

Rosie said: It’s a wonderful thing to be considered for this, it makes me feel like me being a stressy plum sometimes has been worth it and it really is appreciated when I didn’t even realise, which is super nice and fills me with confidence to do it all more. It makes me proud thinking that if I didn’t organise the shows and markets so many people wouldn’t have made those connections, sales and influences. Networking and getting out of the studio is SO important and it can be so easy to nest in there sometimes. It can feel like I spend most of my time actually on the internet, whether it’s taking bookings, promoting or selling my work, so when I meet those customers and they realise i’m younger they’re often surprised. Probably also because I sound like a pompous fart when I type. It feels good breaking the stereotype of a 20-year-old student taking on more responsibility.

ART: Ailsa Fineron

Ailsa Fineron is a part-time barista and full-time multidisciplinary artist, intersectional feminist, mental health advocate and wannabe good human. She talks about mental health issues, race, gender and people and how they intersect. People have said of her: ‘Always brilliant to talk to. She has a way with words, a way with being.’; ‘Ailsa is clean and a very quick showerer. Also, living with a photographer means you always have a great profile picture. 10/10. Website. Twitter.

Ailsa said: Whenever someone reaches out to me –whether friend, acquaintance or stranger– to tell me that what I’m doing/writing/arting has helped them my brain melts into my heart and I am unable to express my feelings through mere language. To know that I have helped even one person is an honour and why I not only keep doing what I do but keep on plodding on through this life dragging my flesh prison behind me.

POETRY: Malaika Kegode

Malaika Kegode is a poet and promoter, always looking for stories to tell. She is the creator and host of Milk Poetry, a monthly event in Bristol, showcasing poetic talent from the South West and beyond. Her poetry is emotive and people-centric. She has performed across the country at theatres, literary events and festivals such as WOMAD and Boomtown. Her debut poetry collection ‘Requite’ will be published by Burning Eye Books in 2017. Facebook

Malaika said: I moved to Bristol just over two years ago, the years preceding this move had been very difficult and the poetry scene here helped me to heal, I finally found ‘my people’ who aided me in rediscovering myself as a person and as an artist. I’m truly proud to be included on this list of incredible young people, I’m also so bloody glad this beautiful, crucial artistic community exists and has accepted me as part of it.

PERFORMANCE: Jo Bligh

Photo Credit: Paul Samuel White

Jo is a producer and performer living and working in Bristol. Jo runs THORNY, a local club night and platform for outsiders in the city. It’s an inclusive show and a safe space, featuring live music, performance, drag and a lot of partying. Jo also plays synth in Oliver Wilde‘s live band. Jo’s mission is to bring separated communities of artists together to encourage openness, silliness and collaboration. Facebook

Jo said: There aren’t enough opportunities for young creatives, which is why a year ago I gave up on the traditional route and nervously put on a music gig in a pub to an audience of 10. Now, through meeting and working with the massively inspiring community of artists that exists in Bristol, I’ve managed to create a world that I find really exciting, and I know has given confidence to other people like me. The lesson: take a risk and try Doing It Yourself.

MUSIC: Maya Gamble

Maya currently works in the music industry, behind the scenes on live events and festivals. She has worked in production, accreditation, programming and artist liaison, at high profile events like Love Saves The Day, Massive Attack at The Downs, Dismaland, Glastonbury and Nocturnal Live. She is the Bristol city manager for DICE who are radically changing the ticketing industry. Instagram. Twitter

Maya said: The music business is overrun by oldies, I constantly find myself being the youngest person in most work opportunities. But I live for that look of confusion on people faces when I tell them I’m 19.

WORDS: Simran Randhawa

Simran Randhawa is currently in her final year at University of Bristol, studying Sociology and specialising in issues surrounding ethnicity and racism. In her spare time she’s involved with online magazine gal-dem (who she writes for), models (for the likes of H&M and Skepta), and performs spoken word poetry. She’s also on her University’s 2nd basketball team and hoards make up. Twitter. Instagram

Simran said: I’m really proud of the representation I am giving South Asian girls on digital media. I can’t be a spokesperson for us all, but through my work I have been able to provide wider representation for brown girls in the diaspora and show them they’re worthy and can be part of the fashion industry, which I think is pretty important.

SOCIAL ISSUES: Chanté Joseph

Chanté is a 20-year-old Social Policy with Quantitive Research Methods Undergraduate student at University of Bristol. At Bristol she is the Chair of Student Council and President of the African and Caribbean Association. She also runs an initiative called Bristol Is The New Black that seeks to connect black students with the black community in Bristol. She is also a Trustee for the British Youth Council, competitive cheerleader and writes for gal-dem. Twitter

Chanté said: This feels incredible, though my time at university has been isolating the city has always treated me well! The community, the life the opportunity is amazing and I am so grateful to be able to create in such a vibrant place.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Patricia Ekall

Patricia is a freelance journalist and photographer based in Bristol. Having worked in the creative industries from an early age, Patricia has used her knowledge and passion to fuel her career as a freelancer. As a result, she has collaborated with other creatives, editors and publications. Patricia’s resume includes a creative directing project for Citizen Cashmere Paris and contributing to the Huffington Post, ThandieKay and Bristol 24/7. She was also features editor at XXY magazine. Website Instagram.

Patricia said: Being a young person in the creative industries is challenging but liberating. The support fellow creatives show each other far outweighs the heaviness of competition. As a youth, you have little to lose but the potential for growth is uncapped.

SPORT: Joe Bryan

Joe Bryan was born in Bristol. He came through the Bristol City youth team and signed his first professional contract in 2011 on a two-year deal. On 24 November 2011, Bryan joined Conference National side Bath City on loan until January. He scored in a 3–1 win over A.F.C. Telford United. He made his professional debut on 6 March 2012, in a 3–2 win over Leicester City at Ashton Gate. In March 2013, he joined Plymouth Argyle on loan until the end of the season. Bryan made his debut the same day against Bradford City and scored his first Football League goal at Chesterfield in April. He returned to Bristol City at the end of the season having played on the left side of midfield in ten consecutive games for Argyle. Bryan scored his first goal for City in the Bristol derby with Rovers in September, and his first league goal for the club came in November against Crawley Town. In June 2015 he signed a contract extension keeping him at Bristol City until 2019. Twitter. Instagram

THEATRE: Eno Mfon

Eno Mfon is a writer, performer and a recent Bristol graduate. Following Mfon’s one-woman show ‘Check the Label’ performed at the Bristol Old Vic, her play ‘Shipped’ hit the stage in Bristol. Mfon recently hit national headlines when she challenged Bristol University over the lack of black writers in their curriculum. Instagram. Twitter

Eno said: I’m most proud of the ripple effect that has come from my statement about the lack of diversity in our curriculum; the dialogue is continuing and BAME students are fearlessly making their voices heard.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Suzi Bird

Suzi Bird is a Bristol-based professional photographer who specialises in dance photography. As a dancer herself, Suzi has grown up surrounded by the beauty and creativity of dance. One day she combined her life-long love of dance with her passion for photography, and everything just slipped into place. Her understanding of dancer’s movements, combined with her ability to predict when a dancer reaches the climax of their movement, enables Suzi to capture dancers at the perfect moment. Website. Instagram

Suzi said: Being a young person in the creative industries is hard work in order to stand out, but immensely rewarding. It’s great to be able to focus on something that you love that enables, not only your skills to develop, but for you to grow as a person. There are so many endless opportunities that enable you to apply your art to many different end uses – it’s exciting.

POLITICS: Ebony Clark

I was elected to the Bristol City Youth Council in 2015 for a two-year term of office. I’m also a shadow Safeguarding Board member and an Equalities Champion focusing on disability and I’ve shadowed Helen Holland (Labour councillor). I also became Bristol’s overall young hero for 2016, I love to rant and nag until things are done. I’m very optimistic about ending discrimination and social injustice in Bristol. Twitter

Ebony said: To be nominated it feels amazing I will use it to help people in Bristol as much as I can, I’m most proud of becoming Bristol’s Overall Young Hero for 2016 and being on the Youth Council. Hopefully it goes some way to proving to young people that you can actually make a difference somewhere. Don’t change who you are to fit in because being you can do great things being you. My doctor, Dr Barnes, called me special in more ways than one. ‘Not all heroes wear capes’: me and one of my American friends share a moment during a video call, where she pointed out my concentration face and it’s one of the most funny stories me and her share.

FILM: Jay Carter-Coles

Jay is a filmmaker/producer. His recent achievements include winning two international film awards at this year’s COP22 Connect4Climate competition, where he and Dani Tinez created a short film based on carbon pricing. Jay has also worked with a variety of organisations in Bristol, including Above and Beyond, Babassa, and Knowle West Media Centre – the latter of which where he has been working on the XLR Sessions Programme, to create music videos with young artists. Website. Instagram. Twitter. Vimeo

Jay said: Being a young person in the creative industry is as terrifying as it is amazing. It’s like being on a roller coaster ride, but i wouldn’t want it any other way.

FILM: Myles Hoo

Myles Hoo is a cameraman from Bristol. He started a Youtube channel called 365 Recordings nearly four years ago, starting off filming music for artist from his own city, then expanded to Leicester, London, Wales and more. Since then he has continued to grow and produced films for Bristol-based companies, including Bristol Community Health and Bristol Night Stop. He is now working on his on content for 2017. Instagram. Twitter

Myles said: This a big thing for me to get nominated, because I don’t if I’m going in the right direction, but this is like a checkpoint to let me know I am.

MUSIC: Anna Tehabsim

Anna Tehabsim is the deputy editor of Bristol-based music magazine, Crack Magazine, and a cultural commentator who has written for the likes of i-D. Anna has also produced a documentary on Amsterdam’s dance music scene. Website. Twitter

COMEDY: Hari Ramakrishnan
Hari Ramakrishnan is a writer and performer based in Bristol going under the name Pariah Khan. He was part of The Latimer Group and BBC Three’s 2016 Playground Project, where the top 50 creative young people in the UK were consulted about the move for BBC to move completely online. Since then, in 2016 alone he has taken part in the HighTide writer’s Academy, been selected for the latest round of Calling the Shots for 16-24 year olds to make a broadcast quality short film, performed across the South West as professional wrestling manager Pariah Khan for Pro Wrestling Chaos, written a play that reached the Bristol Old Vic’s Top 20 selection for their Open Session, been selected as part of the JMK Trust’s initiative to help new theatre directors, started working as an Assistant Producer for In Between Time’s flagship of IBT Festival 2017 The Record alongside performing his own original work at Bristol Old Vic, the Tobacco Factory, the Wardrobe Theatre, the Bike Shed in Exeter and Camden People’s Theatre. Former member of Bristol Old Vic Young Company and current Open Session Script Reader for Bristol Old Vic, Hari also wrote, directed and performed in two original West End musicals held at the Lyceum Theatre whilst he studied at university. Hari Ramakrishnan also wrote this short bio. Website. Twitter
Hari said: What makes me tick is pushing the boundaries of satire and comedy in order to create multi-layered work that can be seen from different angles and points of view through film, theatre and original writing.
Nasra Ayub

Passionate about violence against women and girls, Nasra Ayub, 19, is a Junior Trustee at Integrate Bristol who helps facilitate their nation-wide education campaigns around FGM. She has featured on the BBC Tonight Show in an exposé on the experiences of trafficked Yazidi girls who escaped from ISIS. She uses her twitter platform to raise awareness on the stigmas surrounding mental health and shared her social media expertise with the Avon and Somerset police force to improve diversity. Website. Twitter. Instagram

Nasra said: It’s very motivational to be nominated as influential young person as it pushes me to carry on campaigning and reaching as many people as I can. I’m most proud of seeing practical changes of attitudes in relation to mental health amongst young people.

ART: Cai Burton

Cai is an illustrator, designer and runs Cai Burton Design. What that really means is that he draws for a living. Which is pretty cool. Black and white is his speciality and his work is always based on patterns. Recently, he has been working on illustrations of various animals, and has previously created work for Upfest, Festival of Ideas and Off The Record. He previously worked for Rife Magazine. Website. Twitter. Instagram

Cai said: Doing anything in the creative industries is hard. Especially when you’re just starting out. Which is why stuff like this – that celebrates young people doing amazing things – is so brilliant. And it’s so cool to be picked as part of it.

FILM: Owain Astles

Owain is a filmmaker, whose work predominantly focuses on political and social issues, ranging from bullying in schools to loneliness. Currently, he’s directing a film entitled ‘Sleeping Rough’, raising awareness of homelessness in the UK, based on interviews taken with rough sleepers from Glasgow to London. Website. Youtube. Twitter.

Owain said: It’s pretty cool to be nominated. I just hope it goes somewhere, and can actually be used to make a change. Rather than personal praise, I hope people look at the things I care about, think about them, and hopefully do something about them.

SOCIAL ISSUES: Katie Finch

At 23, Katie Finch co-founded her own mental health festival (along with 2015 24 Under 24 alum, Ella Marshall) and is the Managing Director of Freedom of Mind CIC. Over four years ago she became very unwell as her mental health rapidly took a turn for the worst. Mental illness is isolating and convinces you that things will never get better. It took a lot of time and energy to first starting talking about her experience, but once she did things slowly became brighter. Freedom of Mind is her way of trying to help others have conversations about mental health even before it becomes a problem. Website. Twitter

Katie said: I am most proud of myself for choosing to not complete my degree. I had spent three years being incredibly unwell, my mood was unstable, sleep was sporadic, my self-esteem was often non existent, and all for a subject I didn’t feel would further the career I wanted. I had managed two years and 1.5 modules from third year when I made this decision. My friends were all about to graduate and I couldn’t take any more. I decided that my health and happiness was more important and that my self worth (and intelligence) was not defined by a piece of paper.

SPORT: Estella Maloney

Estella started playing for Bristol Storm in the u14 category of the Basketball England leagues, Estella quickly progressed being invited to the Regional Performance Centre for the South West. Estella has been a key part of the South West squad representing them in Europe and also the Regional Development Tournament and captaining in her final u17 year. Due to her basketball IQ and mental strength Estella played senior national league as well as junior for Bristol Storm, and this challenge yet further enhanced her game. And she achieved all of this while managing her asthma, something she never let rule her. Youtube

Estella said: Being a student athlete is demanding but I love what I do. My life has revolved around basketball since age 12 and I couldn’t picture myself not being involved in sport. My experiences have given me countless opportunities on and off of the court, whether this be competing abroad as a player or achieving several coaching qualifications, and because of basketball I have gained the knowledge and understanding to pass on this information to assist people who also want to get better and learn. My dedication to sport is something I am very proud of.

That’s all for 2016. See you next year.

Tweet us @rifemag #24under24 and let us know who we’ve missed and why.

Head to the Rife Guide for ways to up your game and improve your skills

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24 Most Influential Bristolians Under 24 – The 2016 List

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