It’s Black History Month, a time where we learn about Black history, and look to the future with Black tastemakers shaking things up industry-wide.
But first, we are going to look within, at the amazing Black talent inside BuzzFeed, and the work they bring to the table with Seasoned.
Seasoned; the Black British BuzzFeed brand – perfect alliteration – is here to bring you all the latest entertainment, news, culture and so much more.
Meet the team below and learn how they got their roles at BuzzFeed.
Dionne Grant
What's your role at BuzzFeed? How long have you worked here?
Hey! I’m the Senior Manager of Publishing at BuzzFeed UK. I have worked at BuzzFeed for three years, and am proud to say I’m one of the founding members of Seasoned UK, a vertical at BuzzFeed, which offers content and in real-life experiences that speak to the Black British experience.
What did you study at university, and where did you study?
I studied Film & Broadcast Production at London Metropolitan University. I always had ambitions of being in front of the camera, but also wanted to learn about the theoretical side of production and what happened behind the scenes.
Have you interned anywhere?
Yes, I interned at The Voice newspaper, Britain’s only Black newspaper, before being offered a full-time role there.
What was your first job ever?
My first job was as a Sales Assistant at Superdrug. I was so excited to get this role and start earning my own money. I met some amazing people in that job and really learned the value of money – it’s a lot different when you have to spend your own :-)
What were you doing before BuzzFeed?
I was the Online Editor at The Voice newspaper, which meant I managed all of the title’s online output. I led a team in re-designing the company’s website, which included repackaging its content and boosting its online and social media footprint.
What attracted you to working at BuzzFeed?
I really wanted to work at a company at the forefront of digital media and really develop my skills in social media, and marry it with all that I had learned in previous roles. BuzzFeed seemed like the perfect place to do that.
When it comes to BuzzFeed, what work are most proud of?
One of my greatest achievements at BuzzFeed is being one of the founding members of Seasoned. Pairing my love of Black culture with my job and providing a space and vertical for our stories to be seen and shared, is beautiful. Seeing the brand go from our imaginations to award-nominated fills me with so much joy.
What do you love about Seasoned?
I love that Seasoned allows Black members of BuzzFeed staff, across all areas of the business, to truly express themselves. I love that it affords our followers a safe space to express themselves and feel like they are being seen too.
How are you Reclaiming 2020?
I’m reclaiming 2020 by being unapologetically me. No playing small. Living and celebrating my wins and learning from my losses. Loving loudly and wholeheartedly. Giving people their flowers when they are here.
Ada Enechi
What's your role at BuzzFeed? How long have you worked here?
I am a Producer and Production Manager, and I have worked at BuzzFeed for three and half years.
What did you study at university, and where did you study?
I studied Film and Television at Brunel University - big up Brunel, BruWHAT?!
Have you interned anywhere?
I interned at Red Bull Media House, and that turned into a very short fixed-term role afterwards.
What was your first job ever?
My first ever job was at the Odeon cinema, I quit after two weeks once I realised I wouldn't get free tickets for six months and I had to clean up popcorn.
What were you doing before BuzzFeed?
I got offered the role at BuzzFeed while I was at Red Bull.
What attracted you to working at BuzzFeed?
No cap, I've always liked BuzzFeed content. But I'm a millennial, so if we're being honest, who doesn't?
When it comes to BuzzFeed, what work are most proud of?
Oh lol – I hate everything I do once it's published, which really isn't healthy on my end but I'm my own worst critic.
What do you love about Seasoned?
I love Seasoned because we're like a family. We started as friends and formed a brand, and that doesn't happen a lot. We respect each other greatly and we're making content / telling stories that otherwise would be ignored. I see us as serving our community, and what's better than that??
How are you Reclaiming 2020?
I'm reclaiming my time, I spent a lot of 2020 arguing with white people about why Black lives matter and why my life is important. I can't do that anymore, I'm tired – I'm going to take a lot of time off, spend time with those I love and just do me.
Ikran Dahir
What's your role at BuzzFeed? How long have you worked here?
News Reporter, four years.
What did you study at university, and where did you study?
I studied journalism at Brunel University.
What was your first job ever?
I've weirdly worked so many jobs I'm struggling to remember...!
What were you doing before BuzzFeed?
I had just finished working/training with Media Trust at London360, a TV programme that came on every fortnight on London Live.
What attracted you to working at BuzzFeed?
I really liked the way there was a combination of news and light hearted content and used to get lost on there for hours. Then when my friend Victoria got hired at BuzzFeed she encouraged me to apply.
When it comes to BuzzFeed, what work are most proud of?I am the most proud of my BTS interview because it was like the most full circle moment as a long-time fan and a journalist.
What do you love about Seasoned?
What I love about Seasoned is that it's carving out a neglected space in mainstream media and it wouldn't have come together without all of us working together. I love that because we all have so many different experiences, and we are able to have all these multifaceted discussions that just don't feel like meetings but then we go out there and make great content.
How are you Reclaiming 2020?
I am reclaiming 2020 by focusing my energy on how to improve things and do stories on things that I've always wanted to focus on. I feel like that and uplifting voices that should be are the only way to make something good out of the rest of this year.
Philippa Ako
What's your role at BuzzFeed? How long have you worked here?
Client Services Manager, a year and a half!
What did you study at university, and where did you study?
Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies at Cardiff University.
Have you interned anywhere?
Have I?! Haha I did stints at Sugar Magazine (RIP), The Telegraph, More Magazine, Yull Shoes, Professional Beauty, and a tiny boutique PR company I can't remember the name of now. The majority of these were in magazine journalism, which I wanted to go into until my last year of university, but then I realised that I had a personality better suited to working in advertising or marketing.
What was your first job ever?
Ladies Lingerie Assistant at Peter Jones in Sloane Square. I was 16 and the youngest bra fitter on the shop floor haha.
What were you doing before BuzzFeed?
Before BuzzFeed I was working as a Partnerships Producer at MediaCom, the UK's largest Media Agency. There I worked with lots of brands and publishers making a real variety of content – The All Blacks going on a Chicken Shop Date with Amelia Dimoldenberg was a highlight, as was working with Lucozade Zero on a Love Island partnership and heading to the villa the day of the final!
What attracted you to working at BuzzFeed?
Besides the content (which I already loved) the team! I knew a couple of people working there and the energy was always really great and they were super efficient to work with. When a role became available I snapped up the chance to get an interview, and the rest is history.
When it comes to BuzzFeed, what work are most proud of?
Anything Seasoned related.
What do you love about Seasoned?
I love making content that I would have loved to have seen when I was younger, and enjoy now! Representation is so incredibly important and I enjoy the fact that we're helping increase that, one video or post at a time!
I also really adore the Seasoned team. I have a different relationship with each member and they have all helped make my time here at BuzzFeed memorable – especially during lockdown. They help me get through the day and I honestly cannot imagine working here without a single one of them.
How are you Reclaiming 2020?
I'm taking the time to really look out for myself. Lockdown was enough of a struggle for everyone, and then came the added heartache of what is happening to the Black community worldwide. I, as I'm sure many people did too, started to unravel. I've now been able to take a step back, push away from constantly trying to educate those around me, and really look into what I can do for myself to help make myself better and I'm really happy to say I've now learned some coping mechanisms, gotten back into shape and am on a path to having a better outlook on my future. I can't necessarily change what's going on outside by myself, but the only one who can change myself is me, and a better me can help contribute to a better world.
Hanifah Rahman
What's your role at BuzzFeed? How long have you worked here?
I’m an entertainment writer and content producer, and I've been at BuzzFeed for two and a half years now.
What did you study at university, and where did you study?
I went to the University of Sussex where I studied English Literature at undergrad, then I did an MA in Journalism, with a focus on media and culture.
Have you interned anywhere?
Yep, way back in the day I when I was doing my A levels I interned at Shoreditch Radio Station, which I got after tagging along (and being annoyingly persistent) with a friend who had a part-time job there. Then during my summers at un,i I interned at a website called The Student Room and Latest TV (Brighton's local news station).
What was your first job ever?
When I was 16 I got my first job as a sales assistant at Abercrombie and Fitch lol. It was basically me and a bunch of other teenagers folding and spraying clothes in the London flagship store, and it was pretty fun.
What were you doing before BuzzFeed?
Before I started at BF I was working in television production. The last big show that I worked on was First Dates, and I was part of the casting team.
What attracted you to working at BuzzFeed?
When I was at uni I spent sooo much time procrastinating on BuzzFeed.com, and I always found the quizzes and lists relatable and fun. I also loved the YouTube content – it always felt like it had been made authentically and, unlike other media companies, didn't primarily cater to a white, straight audience. I applied for the editorial fellowship because I wanted the chance to work with writers and producers from diverse backgrounds, who were passionate about creating content that served a wide range of people.
When it comes to BuzzFeed, what work are most proud of?
This woman has offered to be a stand-in mom at LGBT weddings
I'm proud of this because no other big media outlet had picked up on what this woman was doing until it was published on BuzzFeed, but since then she's gone completely viral and her story has been shared everywhere. It felt like a success to share a positive story from the queer community because I don't think we see enough of that.
Can Americans Guess British Slang?
Even though the frame/format of this has been done hundreds of times before, I'm proud of it because I got the chance to collaborate with some really talented Cocoa Butter producers.
What do you love about Seasoned?
In Seasoned, we're all so different, but we all support each other, I'd only been at BuzzFeed for four months when we created Seasoned, but my voice and input has been taken as seriously as others who had been at the company for years. Everyone's ideas are taken into consideration and if one person has a project they want to work on, there are always people on the team who are keen to help them make it happen. We also have a really good time together – whenever there's a Seasoned meeting in the calendar I always know I'm gonna laugh.
How are you Reclaiming 2020?
While Black people have been at the centre of the 2020 news cycle, I feel that Black voices haven't remained at the centre. I'm reclaiming 2020 by turning my attention to authentic Black content. There are so many writers, musicians, designers, and creators making a whole range of content that truly represents their experiences, and I feel like soaking this up is a great way to reclaim the year.
Mariah Jean-Baptiste
What's your role at BuzzFeed? How long have you worked here?
Office Manager/ Office Queen, one year.
What did you study at university, and where did you study?
Media and Communications – Greenwich University. I was super lazy so wanted to be close to home.
Have you interned anywhere?
Nope, I’d be terrible. Apparently, I can’t make a good cup of tea.
What was your first job ever?
Invigilator for an art studio.
What were you doing before BuzzFeed?
Office Manager at a tech company… That doesn’t exist anymore LOL!
What attracted you to working at BuzzFeed?
It seemed fun – inclusive of Black and LGBTQ+ people. I was tired of working in a super corporate office and wanted to be in a place I could be myself.
When it comes to BuzzFeed, what work are most proud of?
I organised several events last year under short notice!
What do you love about Seasoned?
I love that it started as Dionne’s passion project and has grown into a place where Black people in the office can be accepted and feel good. We are all different but have blackness in common and I love it.
It’s almost always the second question people ask me about working at BF.
How are you Reclaiming 2020?
I’m definitely going to focus on the good in the world. Most of this year has been about suffering due to the pandemic and BLM. I want to start celebrating wins...especially Black wins!
Muinat Abdul
What's your role at BuzzFeed? How long have you worked here?
Social Media Editor. I have been at BuzzFeed since February, right before the pandemic happened!
What did you study at university, and where did you study?
I studied Fashion Journalism at the London College of Fashion.
Have you interned anywhere?
I’ve interned in a lot of places that I barely remember now, from Fashion Writing, to Fashion Ecommerce, to Content Creation. The coolest thing I ever did (which wasn’t really an internship) is that I was featured in Company Magazine – now defunct – for my fashion film work!
What was your first job ever?
My first job ever was a waitress/ bartender job. It was in a really cool independent diner, and I had a lot of fun, and ate a lot of free brunch. I definitely developed my people management and customer service there, plus now I can make a mean margarita. Hello, transferable skills!
What were you doing before BuzzFeed?
The Most™. JK. I was a Social Media Editor and Content Creator for British tabloids i.e. I spent a lot of time in costumes making videos, and utilising my curation and creation skills.
What attracted you to working at BuzzFeed?
It’s an iconic media company. I definitely spent most of my early twenties watching BuzzFeed content, I loved all their sketches, and the focus on diverse storytelling, I felt very seen!
When it comes to BuzzFeed, what work are most proud of?
Honestly, taking the social reins of such a big media organisation is a point of pride for me. Beyond that I really loved starring in the Brits Try Each Other’s Baked Bean Recipes – making my colleagues put marmite in baked beans was *chef kiss*.
What do you love about Seasoned?
Being part of a team that is unapologetically black, and for black people is amazing. Media outlets which uplift black voices are few and far between, but there’s a momentum building in the creative world and beyond, and it’s amazing to be a part of that. Can’t wait to see what Seasoned does next.
How are you Reclaiming 2020?
It’s so weird, because I got my dream role and then the world went to hell in a hand basket. Reclaiming 2020 for me is about setting the stage for 2021. Making sure I am fulfilled inside and out, and creating new things for me. I think a big thing for me is focusing on my mental health and what I can do to protect that. I also want to find new ways to experience the world even if it is from inside my flat. Any ideas?
_________________________________________________________________
And there you have it! The BuzzFeed Seasoned team who will be bringing you Black content for Black History Month and beyond!
How will you #Reclaim2020?