Seize the narrative - bringing diversity to storytelling

In the modern world, we are bombarded with stories and videos from all walks of life but even with widespread access to publishing tools it can be hard for people in minority groups to be heard and seen. Now, a course in Southampton is looking to help people learn how to make their stories and experiences travel further.

Our Version Media was founded five years ago by journalist Veronica Gordon, who said stories involving marginalised communities within mainstream media were sometimes told "through the lens of misunderstanding" with "dominant false narratives about black people".

Recent research by the Reuters Institute and the University of Oxford found that black journalists were "under-represented" making up just 1.3% of the share in the UK.

This lack of representation could lead to news stories being covered with a "cultural misunderstanding or not enough insight", Ms Gordon said.

Witnessing this first hand is what inspired the creation of the social enterprise.

"My background is in social sciences so I've always been interested in social justice and equity," she continued.

Through digital storytelling workshops, her platform has covered topics ranging from mental health and sickle cell, to classical singing and leadership.

Many of its courses on mobile journalism and storytelling techniques are free and have been taken up by a wide range of people - from teenagers to pensioners.

Bukola George is one of almost 1,000 people to have shared a personal story through a digital storytelling course run by the group in Southampton.

The entrepreneur owns three businesses in the city - a hair salon, a Nigerian grocery shop and a cafe - but her path to becoming a businesswoman has not been straightforward.

"There's an untrue narrative that Nigerians are cheats," Ms George opened her self-edited video with.

Referring to the breakdown of her marriage and divorce, she said: "When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade."

The "lemonade" was finding a way to "earn money as a single mum of three, while being present", she continued.

She also revealed her increasing career success led to suspicion from "neighbours and onlookers", resulting in several visits from HMRC and the police.

"It turned out people were reporting me to the authorities but there was nothing to report," she explained in a candid voiceover.

She said she signed up to the course because she wanted to tell her own story rather than let others make assumptions.

"For years no-one knew that I wasn't married," she explained.

"I wasn't keeping it a secret, I just didn't think it was anyone's business.

"But it's about showing people that it can be done."

Since taking part, Ms George said she felt much more confident creating video content for her businesses.

Ms Gordon said Our Version Media was "not a monolith" but about "showing human stories".

You can listen to more stories from our African and Caribbean communities on the Kamilah McInnis radio show on BBC Sounds.