Takura Shona: Finding My Voice in the Creative Scene
My name is Takura Shona. I was born and raised in Zimbabwe and now live in Edinburgh, Scotland. I’m an aspiring creative who completed a degree in Events Management at the Edinburgh College and I am currently studying Festival and Event Management and Marketing in the Napier University.
When I first stepped into the world of creative events, I had no clear map of where I was headed. Growing up, I wasn’t drawn to most school subjects except for sports and anything that involved going to events with family or friends. I was often seen as the quiet kid, not because I didn’t have anything to say, but because I hadn’t yet found the space where my voice truly belonged. But when it comes to talking about events (the energy, the people, the vision), something always shifts in me. That’s where I come alive.
Over the past two years, I’ve been carving my own path, learning through hands-on experience, collaborating with others, and organising events that reflect both creativity and culture. One of the most meaningful events that I curated was Zim Independence, an event celebrating Zimbabwean culture and heritage – a powerful reminder of the importance of community and identity. The event was meaningful to me because I grew up in Zimbabwe and organising it felt like reconnecting with my community. Seeing all the Zims show up and embrace their culture to the fullest was honestly such a joy to witness. Working with cultural platforms like Issavibe.ent and AmaAfroScotland has also been incredibly inspiring. Seeing the joy within the community and how people embraced their culture made me realise that this is the kind of career I want to pursue.
Some of the other projects I’ve organised include a basketball tournament, a Y2K-themed party, and a formal gala. Each event had its own style and audience which pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and continually challenge myself to grow. It hasn’t always been easy. There were moments of doubt, wondering if event management was for me. However, I kept striving, driven by a desire to develop new skills and expand my creative vision.
Over the years, I slowly started to make my way up, learning more about the industry. I got involved in a fashion show as a front of house staff and later even took part in modelling – something that had always been an interest of mine. Seeing the organisational side of fashion shows, along with networking and meeting creatives who have been in the scene for a while, inspired me to think about new types of events I’d like to organise myself – ones that combine fashion, art, dance, and live music.
Then I discovered Be United, an organisation that supports Black people working in the performing arts, cultural event and screen industries. Be United’s mission deeply resonated with me. Their work in empowering Black creatives in Scotland through learning, development, and advocacy felt like the kind of impact I want to be part of. Attending their Creative Partnerships Conference in Glasgow in 2025 was a turning point. It was more than just inspirational; it was a call to action. That led me to join their Producing the Future (PTF) training programme, which taught me the key fundamentals of event production, from marketing and budgeting to technical production and creative programming. Doing this while still at college was incredibly useful. I got to work alongside like-minded peers, and together we brought an event to life.
Takura Shona at the In-Person Be United Brand Ambassador, October 2025. Photo by Monika Navickaitė.
The event we curated was called “Be United Presents: Bloom,” built around the theme of growth and infused with elements of visual art. Our headliners, Viv Latifa and Tayoh, are both incredibly talented artists. The event ended up being completely sold out, which felt amazing. From the setting up to seeing the event come to life on the day – all of it was a fun experience. Being part of the production team and collaborating with other creatives was exciting and rewarding. Seeing the crowd, the energy, and the result gave me a clear insight: this is the career I truly want to pursue and grow in.
In September 2025, I joined the Next Level programme and stepped into the role of a Be United Brand Ambassador. Next level was designed for past programme graduates and passionate community members who actively represent Be United, their mission, and their goals. Being a part of it still feels huge for me. The programme is so enriching because I got to develop professionally and learn presentation, communication and marketing skills, as well as grow my confidence, take on initiative, and represent an organisation in community and industry events – from film screenings and art exhibitions, to live panels. Ultimately, the programme prepared me to progress within the industry and further fuelled my ambition and passion for cultural events.
I’m excited for what’s next, and I’m deeply grateful for what Be United has taught me so far. They’re helping me find my voice. With every step, I’m getting closer to making a lasting impact and building a legacy.
This text was prepared as part of the Next Level (Brand Ambassador) programme training which is is supported by the Regenerative Futures Fund.
