Be Mogul
Patrick Vernon OBE, founder of Every Generation Media which works in the creative and cultural industries is recognised and saluted in the Black Enterprise (BE) Mogul publication for 2016.
BE Mogul is a new publication celebrating the contribution of black British business owners. On 4 February 2016 NatWest hosted the official launch ceremony in London where over 75 of the most innovative and successful black business owners featured in the BE Mogul publication were in attendance along with other VIP guests.
The exclusive event highlighted and showcased the movers-and-shakers in the black British business industry from technology to law firms. In addition to the profiling of successful nominees, the publication highlighted the contribution that entrepreneurs of African and African Caribbean descent are making to the UK economy.
Patrick born in Wolverhampton but based in Hackney for the last two decades has established Every Generation to develop and produces education programmes, publications and films on cultural heritage and family history was delighted to have been featured in the publication and said:
“It is great to be recognised by BE Mogul for my work in the last 14 years in developing my social enterprise Every Generation Media. I established my company whilst working as a senior manager for the NHS in Brent. It was based on my experience as volunteer mentor working with African and Caribbean boys and young men in Brent and Hackney. I thus decided that I wanted to develop a resource around family history, identity and black heritage to improve confidence and belonging to young people and families. With the support of a Millennium Award I launch my website www.everygeneration.co.uk. and then 100 Great Black Britons. The theme of Every Generation was also inspired by the African American Jazz musician Ronnie Laws 1980 album ‘Every Generation’. Ronnie Laws ( former member of Earth Wind &Fire) who has personally endorsed the site.
Patrick further added:
“I then established my social enterprise as a limited company in 2004. From 2005 I moved in to publishing ( When We Ruled, Caribbean Sepia, and Masters of the Airwaves), filming making ( A Charmed Life and Speaking Out and Standing Firm and consultancy work for the heritage sector. I have also advised the BBC, The National Archives, The National Trust, the Royal Geographic Society, The V&A , British Council and local archives ad museums. In 2007 I was a Clore Fellow which allowed me to travel to the Middle East and East Africa looking at the impact of Islam in Africa around cultural heritage and family history.”
Patrick finally adds:
“I want to thank previous staff, advisers ,supporters and family members as the journey to achievement is a bumpy one with lots of traps and pitfalls along the way. I still have so many stories and narratives to share through film and publications.”
Mavis Amankwah, business owner of Rich Visions and founder of BE Mogul said: “BE Mogul provides a platform for positive business role models, who may or may not have been recognised in the mainstream media, to inspire and encourage others. We want to shout loud and proud about the positive economic contribution black-owned businesses are making in Britain today.”
Daniel Thompson, Enterprise Director for NatWest, said: “Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the UK economy and NatWest is delighted to have the opportunity to highlight and celebrate the important contributions made by the black business industry.
“For the first time ever, there are over 5 million businesses in the UK. Our research has shown that nearly half of Britons would love to be self employed, but are held back by the belief that there isn’t enough support in their local area in terms of advice, knowledge and funding.
“As by far the biggest supporter of SMEs in the UK, NatWest is committed to identifying ways to help and support entrepreneurs. Working with BE Mogul will give us the opportunity to highlight the hard work and innovation demonstrated by these entrepreneurs while providing inspiration for budding entrepreneurs both in the black community and across the UK.”
Official messages of support for the publication also came from 10 Downing Street and Greater London Authority (GLA). The publication not was a triumph for Black businesses in general but also recognised the increase of Black women starting and growing their businesses in Britain today. Other highlights in the publication includes a Business Celebrity section that features and salutes CEO,MOBOs, Kanya King MBE and Entrepreneur Levi Roots (Keith Graham) as well a one to watch for 2016 second runner up of the 2014 BBC’s Apprentice Bianca Miller.
For more information, please visit www.bemogul.co.uk or contact Dami Abajingin at dami@richvisions.co.uk