Introducing Our Network Weavers

As outlined in our Theory of Change, our fundamental goal is to empower our members. Part of how we do this is by creating opportunities such as commissions, training and networking – aiming to equip our members with skills and experience, build up their confidence, and ultimately help shape a fairer, more inclusive media industry in Wales.

One of the main goals put forward in our strategic framework was the appointment of Network Weavers (i.e. members who can ensure that our outputs continue to align with our values and help facilitate transparent communication between Directors, staff and the wider membership). 

We are delighted to announce that we have appointed four Inclusive Journalism Cymru members in this role. Each of them will be leading their own Working Circle, that is, project areas such as running events in underrepresented regions or setting up a mentorship program. These particular issues were identified through discussions at our AGM last year, where our members had the opportunity to voice what was most important to them and where they wanted us to steer our focus. 

Here’s more about our Network Weavers and what they have in store.

Cheryl is a writer, editor, critic and publisher, specialising in the fields of science fiction and fantasy. She is the owner of Wizard’s Tower Press. Cheryl is also a public historian specialising in the history of gender diversity. She is a regular speaker at events such as LGBTQ+ History Month. Her academic bibliography can be found on her blog.

Cheryl will be looking to provide journalists in Wales with training and resources on issues to do with trans people. All too often, articles about trans people are produced without the writer speaking to any actual trans people, and consequently tend to be very one-sided. Wales will not be able to achieve its goal of being the most LGBTQ+ country in Europe if trans people are routinely excluded from public discourse.

BlueSky | Mastodon

Heledd is an anarchist writer based in Wales, writing bilingually. She is fortunate enough to have had her work published under both her own name and her pen name in different magazines and anthologies. She is also juggling parenthood and a PhD in Social Class and the Welsh language – funded by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Lastly, she is part of Literature Wales’ 2024 cohort of Representing Wales.

Heledd’s Working Circle will be Commissions and Events, partnering with the Wales Broadcast Archive to commission three marginalised journalists to respond to their material. Three events in the successful candidate’s localities will follow the completion of this project showcasing the work, with a conscious decision to select a candidate from north, mid and south Wales. More on the project here.

Instagram

Kaja Brown is an award winning writer, journalist and intersectional activist living in South Wales. Kaja explores themes of social justice, disability, LGBT+ life and environmentalism in her writing. She is also the current Reviews Editor for Poetry Wales.

Kaja will be focusing on Masterclasses, including “Writing the Environment”, and “Networking with Neurodivergence”. The events will be in-person and online with the aim to provide new skills and industry knowledge to writers, journalists and storytellers who are underrepresented in Wales. Keep an eye out for updates. 

Website | Instagram | X | LinkedIn

Sheryl Njini is dedicated to fostering collaboration and amplifying diverse voices in media. With a rich background in communications, project coordination, and advocacy, she also serves as President for Black Girls’ Space Cardiff, empowering young black women in South Wales. Sheryl leads impactful initiatives, including mentoring schemes, creative storytelling projects, and campaigns that prioritise inclusivity and representation. As a blog writer and social media strategist, she combines her expertise with a deep commitment to building supportive networks. Her work bridges communities and ensures underrepresented perspectives thrive in journalism and beyond.

Sheryl plans to launch a mentoring programme pairing experienced journalists with early-career journalists. The initiative will provide guidance, support, and practical insights to help young journalists build confidence and develop their careers.

Instagram | LinkedIn

We strongly believe this initiative meets our aim of supporting our members (and potentially creating a pathway to directorship), as well as our overarching values as an organisation. That is why we have committed the majority of our time and budget this year to the Network Weavers and their activities. 

As this is an experiment of sorts, we hope to learn from the process so we can replicate it again in the future. For example, we have signed up to Transformational Governance’s Community Value Exchange, a space where individuals and organisations are supporting each other on how to best shift power and create meaningful change. We intend to share our learnings throughout the process and invite members taking part to offer their feedback at every stage. 

If you’d like to be involved in any of these projects, or would be interested in becoming a Network Weaver in the future, please get in touch.