Celebrating Black History Month: Be United’s October of Connection, Creativity, and Community
October is always a special and busy month for Be United, as Black History Month brings a wealth of community initiatives, conversations, and celebrations across Scotland. It’s a time that reflects what Be United stands for: connecting communities, amplifying underrepresented voices, and strengthening the link between the cultural sector and the diverse talent that shapes it.
This autumn, our CEO, Muse Greenwood, our Be United Operation Team and our Brand Ambassadors were actively involved in a range of events across Scotland, from industry panels to grassroots exhibitions, each reflecting the creativity, resilience, and collaborative spirit of our creative community in Scotland.
The groundwork began in September with Muse attending the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) Summit, a special two-day industry event in Glasgow that brought together key Scottish music industry players from across the country. From promoters, venues, and people who work with music talent to government representatives, industry professionals spent two days deepening their understanding of the challenges and experiences of artists in Scotland today. Muse described it as “a great launch to networking and a great place to meet the industry and those who support it.” The conversation at the summit explored a key theme: the future of the music industry in Scotland. “And to be part of that conversation is vital,” says Muse.
Muse also attended the Liquid Identities Festival, organised by ESEA creatives, celebrating Scotland-Based East and South Asian Talents, with Be United’s Brand Ambassador Coordinator Lok Pui Lo being one of the organisers and performers. Muse noted:
“The Liquid Identities Festival is the perfect example of how creative can determine their own destiny, taking the reins in how communities share their story with the world. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.”
The ESEA Creatives have been since shortlisted for the Inclusion Award by Creative Edinburgh.
On 6 October, our CEO, together with our Brand Ambassadors, attended the University of Glasgow’s Voices for Change event, hosted by the International Relations Society as part of Black History Month. Muse joined a dynamic panel to talk about sustaining a creative practise in the current landscape. Reflecting on the experience, she shared:
“I was honoured to be a part of a diverse and dynamic panel. My talk shared that at the heart of resilience is a simple truth – it grows from love for yourself, respect for yourself, and the unwavering belief in your own value.”
Be United’s CEO Muse Greenwood with Be United Brand Ambassadors team at the International Relations Society event.
Throughout the month of October, our CEO also actively engaged with community partners, environmental cohorts, and the wider creative industry – attending several cohort events as part of our ESG commitments and meeting with key partners to strengthen Be United’s presence across both Edinburgh and Glasgow.
While our CEO was engaging with the wider creative industry, Be United’s Brand Ambassadors were busy connecting with cultural events that celebrate Scotland’s diversity and creativity. They attended KIN-TU x Berlin: Building Global Connections event, a Creative Scotland-supported initiative exploring sustainability, ethical artist development, and international collaboration in independent music. Our ambassadors also participated in the IMP! Weird Eagle Exhibition, which celebrated the work of Nigerian-heritage creatives living and working across Scotland, showcasing art, fashion, music, and film that challenge norms and reimagine identity through creativity. Our Brand Ambassador, Nigerian-Scottish artist Lola Aluko, also delivered a music performance at the event.
Meanwhile, Be United’s Marketing, Media and Communications Lead Monika Navickaitė had the pleasure of serving as a judge for the 2025 Creative Edinburgh Awards, contributing to the selection process for the Development and Festival Award categories. She reflected on how thoughtfully Creative Edinburgh structures its awards to truly honour the depth and diversity of the city’s creative community. Monika noted that the applications highlighted how vital spaces like this are for recognising the immense, often unseen work that sustains creative practices, businesses, and organisations.
Monika also attended the African Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Pipeline event, organised by DataKirk, as part of Be United’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its business development strategy and deepen engagement with innovation emerging from Scotland’s African community. From sustainability practices to technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, the day was packed with insight and inspiration, with presentations, startup pitches, and powerful discussions exploring community, representation, and the narratives shaping how African entrepreneurs are perceived in Scotland and beyond. While reflecting on the event, Monika stated:
“I found the business space incredibly refreshing: the language was about opportunity, connection, and growth rather than just obstacles. It reminded me how the narratives we choose to tell often shape the possibilities we create, and how important it is to introduce narratives of opportunity into the Scottish creative sector.”
The African Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Pipeline event.
Be United’s Brand Ambassador Coordinator, Lok Pui Lo, also represented the organisation at several events this month, including the Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit, also organised by the DataKirk’s team. The event proved invaluable for expanding Be United’s network and identifying potential collaborators who share the organisation’s mission to empower and elevate diverse talent within Scotland.
Lok Pui Lo at the Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit.
We’re also proud to share that Collin Hills, Be United’s Creative Director, represented Scotland at WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo) 2025 in Finland this month. WOMEX is the most international and culturally diverse music meeting in the world and the biggest conference of the global music scene, featuring a trade fair, talks, films and showcase concerts. Scotland’s thriving music scene is filled with extraordinary talent, and Collin’s participation ensures that Black and African-Caribbean creative voices from Scotland are part of that international conversation. A filmmaker, musician, writer, and photographer, Collin has spent over two decades championing the visibility and empowerment of underrepresented creatives. His presence at WOMEX not only highlights his personal dedication but also strengthens Scotland’s representation on the global arts stage.
To close the month, Brand Ambassador Takura Shona attended the Afro Celt Exhibition on 25–26 October, a two-day celebration of the Afro-Scottish experience, organised by the African Caribbean Society of Scotland. The Exhibition touched on practises such as illustration, photography, music and printmaking, included conversations around the journey and influence of Afro-Caribbean music to the UK, featured exciting speakers, and, finally, a spoken word performance by the Edinburgh-based Tanzanian artist Pepita Mwanga.
Reflecting on poet Pepita Mwanga’s performance, Be United Brand Ambassador Takura said:
“I felt connected to Pepita’s spoken word performance. It reminded me of what its like to be growing up as a Black person while stepping into a new scene, new culture. Feeling like you always need to adapt just to fit in. People expect you to be the version of yourself that fits their version, even when it doesn’t feel natural or comfortable for you. Pepita also touched on the fact that wherever your home is, you create and bring in your own culture to have a sense of peace and belonging. She was expressing consistent balancing act of identity, comfort and self-acceptance. I feel she really got everyone to reflect on it.”
As October comes to an end, Be United’s work to bridge the community and the creative industry continues. Our CEO, Muse Greenwood, is serving as a judge for the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award 2025. Produced by the Scottish Music Industry Association, the SAY Award recognises the strength and diversity of Scotland’s recorded output. With her remarkable breadth of experience across 14 creative industries, including performing arts, film, publishing, design, and cultural education, Muse’s contribution to this year’s judging process reflects Be United’s ongoing commitment to supporting creative excellence and representation across the arts. A choreographer, showrunner, and award-winning producer, Muse has co-created a Warner Bros. affiliate children’s show, led a national arts magazine, and launched arts-based health initiatives with corporate backing. Muse combines intellectual rigour with entrepreneurial energy, applying her experience to identify gaps in creative support and build meaningful, strategic responses. Her leadership is defined by a conscious, evidence-based approach, one that connects with communities, listens to their needs, and translates insight into action. The Be United team is looking forward to the SAY Award ceremony that will take place on Thursday, 6 November 2025, in Dundee.
Be United remains dedicated to strengthening the connection between Scotland’s creative industries and the communities they serve, advocating for and empowering Black and diverse talent while enriching Scotland’s cultural landscape with strength, excellence, and innovation. Our commitment extends far beyond Black History Month. At Be United, we continue this mission every month of the year.
