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“Young people have such drive and passion; I think it's so important to nurture their voices and fresh ideas. As much as I'm an adult now and my thoughts and behaviours have very much so been fashioned by my experiences, I am still at my core the same girl, young person, young woman that I've always been. I've always been this passionate, hard working and this creative. Young people have more power and are more bold than society sometimes gives them credit for.”

Meet Ann Akin, founder of Harts Theatre Company 

Read her full feature here: http://www.ic3mag.com/2016/01/actress-writer-choreographer-and.html

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“The business started with a team with many ideas, and we incorporated it all into our brand. To cut a long story short; a year and half later the team broke apart and the business flopped.

- Lao Karunwi and Nigel Twumasi founders of Mayamada

Click the link and read their full feature www.ic3mag.com 

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"I am comfortable in the skin that I'm in - it’s important because that self confidence channels through everything that you do. It could be the reason you have the confidence to go and speak to someone at a networking event, or pluck up the courage to go out with friends, and have a great time socially - being comfortable in your own skin is so important, and I don’t think we encourage it enough in society."

 - Melissa Henry aka @herroyalthighness

Click the link and read her full feature www.ic3mag.com

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“I was walking with a pupil on work experience down Dalston market, in Hackney, and I couldn’t hear what he was saying so I bent down to talk to him. A shop owner of one the buildings the company managed saw this, walked up to me and said - ‘Why are you bending down to talk to him? Stand with your back straight, you’re a king!’ I tried to explain to the shopkeeper that I’m a lot taller than the pupil and I can’t hear him but he didn’t accept my reason. He replied,’No! Do not lower yourself, rise and stand tall, so he’ll learn to rise and stand tall too!”

Anthony Opoku-Owusu, construction site manager and founder of Young ‘n’ Connected

Read his full feature here www.ic3mag.com

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"I remember feeling ashamed of where I was from, my dark skin and my hair and I didn’t completely know why. I didn’t want my father to attend my school parent's evening because I knew he would wear African clothing which would embarrass me. Until I found out music artists like Dizzie rascal, Lethal Bizzle and Tinchy Stryder are Ghanaian; I was proud to say I'm African." 

Nana Boa Amponsem, founder of Maarifa Circle

Read the full feature on www.icmag.com

Like, share, and comment, we would love to hear your thoughts!

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"I had to stress to the girls that despite my insecurities, I love my body - each and every muscle from head to toe. Tell yourself everyday how much you love yourself; the more you say it, the more you believe it! It’s so amazing seeing how each young lady I came across had changed their thought processes in such a positive way by the end of camp. It felt great being a part of that."

Tanya Compas on her thoughts on embracing insecurities.

Read her full feature here www.ic3mag.com

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“Urbanimated is the term I coined for my art, and other artists’ work that reflects the urban experience.USA and Asian culture is popular, but I feel our culture (British urban) is very unique and that is something to be proud of. When I was younger, listening to Dizzee Rascal and Kano was like reading the Bible; the lyrics were gospel - No whip, out the manor linking chicks, that's slipping, that's slipping. This gave birth to ‘Hood Heroes’ animation - a cross between superheroes and British grime/rap artists."

J.King, Artist - Read his full feature here www.ic3mag.com 

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"Like most people, I didn’t get a decent job for 18 months after university. I worked a day job at Wandsworth Council, and at night I was doing radio promo; packing vinyl for the radio stations and sending out stuff to the U.S. I was paid in vinyl and got up to 100 records a month – I loved it. I did 18 hour days and still loved it. I saw in the papers that the BBC were looking to launch a national black music station and my eyes lit up immediately. I wrote to the BBC and didn’t hear back for 18 months. I pitched loads of ideas and eventually became a broadcast assistant. I always said that if I ever got my foot in the door, I’d make the most of it. It’s been a wonderful 20 year journey!"

Meet Rob Littlejohn, BBC 1Xtra Editor

Read his full feature here on www.ic3mag.com

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“It was tough getting into the industry, especially starting from scratch but thankfully I managed to do it. I started out not knowing anyone in the industry and slowly but surely I managed to network and build the right relationships. I wouldn’t want it any other way - by working hard and smart you can achieve your ambitions because things are not always handed to you.”

Meet Jennifer Adeeko, ITV Production Coordinator

Read the full feature article here: www.ic3mag.com

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"The Groundnut has been a fantastic venture so far. We’ve been able to work intensely on our plans, from the dinners to the completing The Groundnut Cookbook, and have also been fortunate enough to travel to France, Holland, Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia together in the name of work. We couldn’t have asked for much more when we started the project."

Meet The Groundnut, Folayemi Brown, Duval Timothy and Jacob Fodio Todd - Foodies/entrepreneurs

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"I'm British and acutely aware of my Nigerian heritage, and proud of it. Different culture, different settings; when I'm at work, parts of my Nigerian culture don’t really tend to flair up in me. When I'm in a Nigerian setting, I don't feel 100% Nigerian, but feel that may be down to not being able to speak the language. Language is an important aspect of identity. I know who I am as a British man, Nigerian man and a Black man."

"Coming from a Nigerian background means that education is very important. The Nigerian perspective of success is having a respectable or elitist job such as a lawyer, doctor, engineer or accountant; that's the pinnacle of success."

Meet Jide Adega, accountant and one of the founders of www.soobax.co.uk

Click here to read the full article on www.ic3mag.com

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“I was ecstatic! I had to go through many stages to get there. I didn’t doubt myself or anything, it was just a shocker knowing that this happened so early in my career. I took a bold step of faith and thought ‘what’s the worst that can happen?’ - when I got the role, I was pleasantly surprised!

I am a liquidity risk management professional. We oversee several other departments, create reports, ensure no-one gets in trouble with regulators, and we monitor what key money-making departments of the bank are doing and ensure that they don’t step out of line!”

Meet Agnes Opaleye, banker and talk-show host

Read her full featured article here: www.ic3mag.com

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“Our mother always used to tell us, why don't you two start a business together. It’s somewhat prophetic that many years later we have...”

“We have been speaking about this idea since 2011. We both have been doing different things which has made it difficult. But there has been only one person I always wanted to work with.”

“...I looked at my younger sister for inspiration and I waited for the right moment to work with her and now we are here. Your energy triples when you are working with someone who is on the same level” said Emeka.

Meet Emeka and Ifeyinwa Frederick of Chuku's - the Nigerian-inspired tapas lounge. 

Read their full story here: www.ic3mag.com 

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“Life changes and what's most important to me is being happy with myself and being the best I can be. I don’t know if this comes with age, but I notice that I value the people I have around me more, and what value I add to them.” “In traditional Asian culture, you are pushed into becoming a doctor, accountant or a lawyer. My older sister was like a mum to me and she urged me to express myself and not conform to the expectations of others.” 

Meet Kam Punia - talking healthy lifestyle, coconut water and what made him leave his job to start a business here: www.ic3mag.com

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"I’m lucky to have my wife who has been very supportive of me. She’s been my champion, backbone, best friend and business advisor. When I had my son, he became my heart and motivation to work hard, achieve highly and create a legacy."

Meet Mohammad Bolaji, Managing Director and FA/FIFA Licensed Agent of SSM

Read his full story here www.ic3mag.com

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"I remember when we were kids going to our granddad’s office and feeling so chuffed, looking back at those moments subconsciously we knew as kids working for yourself was a great feeling. So our grandfather has indirectly and directly inspired us in many ways to start our business. Our Grandmother too, well subconsciously as she was a seamstress." Meet Aisu London, bespoke fashion designers Read their full story here: www.ic3mag.com

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"Don't let the high rises block your horizons - Jobs come and go. If you believe that your passion will take you places, remain proactive and do something each day that will push you further toward your dream. Also it's so important to surround yourself with the right people that will push you further.”

- Mathieu Ajan Film maker and Photogrpapher

Read the review of Mathieu's 'Treehouse exhibition' online here: www.ic3mag.com