Empowering communities to own their narratives
School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) Hampshire Fellow and former TV news journalist, Veronica Gordon is the founder of Our Version Media CIC, based in Southampton. She combined her fifteen years’ broadcast journalism expertise – spanning ITV regional news, BBC local radio, Unity 101 community radio and digital media – with her fifteen years of community activism to create Our Version Media, a social enterprise that’s using new media for social good.
Its mission: to increase positive and authentic representation of black and other communities most demonised by traditional media and the tabloid press.
Veronica left her TV news career and set up OVM in 2019 after becoming increasingly frustrated by this negative portrayal and the harm it was having on people’s self-esteem, wellbeing and life chances. Back then, brimming with journalism skills and a clear mission, but with little to no business skills, Veronica enrolled onto the 2018-2019 SSE’s Start Up here at Action Hampshire. She credits it for giving her the entrepreneurial skills and knowhow to launch her social enterprise.
Veronica now shares her media and journalism skills and expertise with the very communities being failed by the press, empowering them to rightfully own the narrative of stories told about them. And with changemakers, whose stories are often ignored by the press. OVM teaches people how to use digital media – through mobile storytelling, smartphone videomaking, and content creation – to tell and share their own, real-life stories. This makes positive stories more visible, increases understanding, and boosts self-confidence, while countering negative stereotypes at the same time. Equally, these modern digital skills have proved crucial for learners’ personal development and careers.
Managing a fast-growing enterprise
OVM’s demand and social impact grew rapidly during its first few years. As a new social entrepreneur, this success brought Veronica another challenge: how to manage a fast-growing enterprise. She once again sought the help of SSE – this time, gaining a place on the 2021-2022 Trade Up programme in London to better develop her business skills.
Today, OVM’s mission has become a grassroots-led movement that’s amplifying real people’s voices and untold stories, and empowering people to challenge negative narratives. OVM doesn’t do this alone. As well as with community groups and an Advisory Board of individuals from the communities it serves, OVM has partnered with major regional and national organisations. This includes local authorities, social landlords, MAST Mayflower Studios, Solent NHS Trust, Action Hampshire, and Impress, the UK’s only independent media regulator.
Reflecting real lives for the future
OVM is helping to make sure that that we all – and our children and young people – can see ourselves and our real lives better reflected and represented in the world around us.
Follow this link to find out more
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