Be United: Celebrating ten years of activism

Founded in 2014 by Scotland-based Emma Sithole and South Africa-based Boysie Gumede, Be United initially recognised the need for creative outlets of expression within South African creative communities. However, the transnational project evolved quickly when the team recognised a compelling need for greater representation of the Black community within Scotland’s own performing arts scene. Be United's ethos of equity and inclusion made sense both in the context of South Africa and Scotland and this international outlook very much inspires the multitude of projects and people that the charity continues to support and nurture.

In the ten years since its founding, Be United has helped 409 Black creatives into employment, with the intention to increase that number to 500 in 2025. Since its founding, the organisation has produced 40 events and collaborated with 50 organisations (including with Amazon Studios for the production of the film Anansi Boys, as well as developing partnerships with Edinburgh International Festival and Fruitmarket). 

Emma Sithole, the co-founder and current director of the organisation, describes Be United’s 2021 project Key Creatives Edinburgh as a personal highlight for her. The documentary showcased ten exceptional Black creatives in Scotland, highlighting the incredible talent in the country: "This project was a milestone in increasing visibility not only for our artists but also for Be United and the work we do." She also notes her pride at Be United’s Creative Partnerships programme, "Scotland’s premier networking and professional development platform for Black creatives," and the Producing the Future programme, which empowers young event producers in Scotland. "Producing the Future is a ten-week event management programme designed for young creatives (aged 18-25) or those aspiring to work behind the scenes in the cultural events sector. The course covers creative programming, technical production, project management, marketing, and more. Participants gain hands-on experience by organising their own event as the programme’s finale, which provides practical skills and experience needed to progress into the creative industries." The programme was developed in response to Be United’s own research, which highlighted gaps in Scotland’s creative industries and cultural events staffing, alongside consultation with Black communities on challenges entering the creative industries.

At a time when the funding landscape is so precarious for virtually all arts workers, this precarity is being felt particularly pointedly by Black creatives. I ask Sithole about the implications of this precarity on these creatives: "There is a significant gap between many of the creatives we work with and funders in Scotland. Bridging this divide requires better conversations between the two, particularly around the language and structures used to access funding, as well as ensuring funders are present within community spaces."

While Sithole says that the cultural landscape in Scotland has shifted for Black creatives "without a doubt" in the last ten years, significant challenges do remain. "When Be United started, Black artists rarely performed in major venues, festivals, or events, and there were fewer young Black artists entering the industry due to limited access, support and paid opportunities. Although we’ve seen progress in representation, inequities in the cultural sector and building sustainable careers remain challenges in Scotland. At Be United, we tackle these barriers by upskilling the community and creating paid opportunities. As more Black creatives enter the industry, we are proud to continue to be part of the change we want to see."

Next month, Be United will hold the Creative Partnerships Conference 2025, which will "serve as a platform for Black creatives, industry organisations, and funders to connect, build trust, and collaborate within the sector. As demand for tickets continues to be high, we urge funders to attend this event and engage with creatives."

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Be United’s Creative Partnerships Conference 2025 takes place at Advanced Research Centre (ARC), University of Glasgow, 21 Feb. Free tickets available via Eventbrite