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MAKING A CHANGE In 2005, Clarke was established in his career as an editor, but as a black man from a working-class background, he knew he was the exception. “Somebody said to me, ‘There are not enough black people in the industry.’ I got angry at myself, thinking, ‘Well, what have I done about it?’ My justification was that it’s hard enough as it is. I’d been looking after myself,” he admits. Knowing that he was in a position where he could make a difference, Clarke founded MAMA Youth Project, a charity organisation that trains young people from underrepresented backgrounds, providing them with skills and employment opportunities in the broadcast and media sectors. Though surprising to some, Clarke “immediately included white working-class people, who are also underrepresented. I think they’ve been forgotten about in this country,” he states. “I’ve done full inclusion from the very beginning.” Celebrating its 20th anniversary, MAMA Youth Project takes on 24 trainees at a time out of ‘450 to 500 applicants’, according to Clarke. While trainees must be 19-30 years old, “there’s no criteria really other than: do you want to work hard to change your life?” Those taking part in MAMA Youth Project receive hands-on training, professional and personal mentorship and work placements at the end of the programme. “We have a management team looking after them for the rest of their life,” says Clarke, with all trainees becoming part of the project’s alumni
talent pool. “We’re family,” he continues, and he means it wholeheartedly. “I don’t think, for me personally, you have to be blood to have that family feel.” HIGHS AND LOWS While MAMA Youth Project has plenty of success stories, the first few years were an uphill battle. “I really didn’t mean to be,” begins Clarke, “but I was the main funder from 2005 to 2013. I remortgaged the house twice, I had money on credit cards. I put it all into the charity. Nobody was helping me financially, but I carried on because of the results.” After self-funding the organisation for nearly a decade, Clarke finally received some financial support. Fremantle was the first to pitch in, signing up to a three-year partnership, and then it wasn’t long before other sponsors, like ITV and the BBC, followed suit. While this support “made such a big difference,” says Clarke, “it’s still a struggle.” Without financial stability, the organisation can’t properly pay its employees. These days, there are lots of charities like MAMA Youth Project that aim to open doors for underrepresented talent, though most haven’t been around as long. In its 20 years, Clarke has noted a societal shift in how racism and classism are discussed, but he’s frustrated by the lack of tangible improvement. “It’s a never-ending cycle I’ve seen all my life,” he begins. “An incident happens. Everybody’s like, ‘We must do something. This is terrible.’ Things are put in place. Everything’s calm for a while, and then another incident happens, and it goes
around again,” he summarises. “Breaking that cycle is hard.” Through dedicated outreach efforts, such as partnering with ‘over 100 grassroots charities’ and recruiting from prisons, MAMA Youth Project has a fair shot at breaking the chain. “It’s who you invite to the table,” suggests Clarke. “We go out there and find people to apply. That’s why we get such a mixture.” Preferring the term ‘inclusion’ to ‘diversity’, Clarke stresses the importance of listening to different perspectives. Broadcast TV has historically struggled with representation, and certain groups were long barred (and perhaps still are) from making top-down decisions. “Whatever industry you’re in, having an inclusive group of people around your worktable is good for business. Why would you not want that?” Clarke asks. MAJOR MILESTONE “I feel like I’ve run a marathon, with more uphills than down, and I’m ready to collapse,” Clarke admits. “It’s a whole series of races that you’ve got to win,” yet he still feels far from the finish line. Though the industry no doubt requires systemic change, MAMA Youth Project is playing its part, providing opportunities for those who might otherwise never have had one. Recognised for its work by BAFTA and the Princess Royal Training Awards, the organisation celebrates two decades of hard work paying off.
GETTING TO GRIPS MAMA Youth Project takes 24 enthusiastic trainees out of 450-500 applicants
Learn more or apply at mamayouth.org.uk
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