The Junior Launches Manifesto to Empower Junior Creatives and Drive Industry Change

London, UK

Today, The Junior releases a manifesto committing to empowering junior creatives and fostering inclusivity within the creative industry. Lánre Adeleye, Founding Partner, delivered a talk at D&AD Festival in London highlighting the challenges faced by emerging talent and underscoring the organisation's commitment to transformative change.

Manifesto for change

The Junior’s manifesto is a bold declaration of our mission to obliterate barriers and create a more inclusive, equitable, and vibrant creative industry. It outlines our strategy to support and uplift junior creatives through targeted initiatives and community engagement.

Lánre spoke at the D&AD Festival about the barriers and inequities that stifle the potential of junior creatives. “Our industry is at a pivotal moment, brimming with potential yet plagued by inequalities and barriers to entry,” Adeleye stated. “It is upon us to rise to the challenge, dismantle these barriers, and create a more inclusive and equitable creative ecosystem for all.”

Key initiatives

The Junior’s manifesto introduces four initiatives aimed at empowering junior creatives:

1. The Network: A vibrant community platform designed to foster connections, collaboration, and mutual support among junior creatives. It provides a space for networking, sharing resources, and building a supportive creative community.
2. Dialogues: An event series showcasing the journeys, challenges, and triumphs of creative industry leaders, offering practical guidance and inspiration to junior creatives.
3. The Studio: A creative studio providing hands-on experience through real-world projects, helping junior creatives develop practical skills and gain paid opportunities.
4. The Showcase: A platform for junior creatives to present their portfolios to recruiters, agencies, and brands, facilitating career opportunities and celebrating diverse talents.

Community empowerment

The Junior is also implementing significant changes to its governance structure. Over the next 12 months, we will introduce a Community President and an advisory board comprised of representatives from our community. This new governance model prioritises transparency, accountability, and community representation, ensuring that the voices and aspirations of junior creatives are at the heart of The Junior’s strategic decisions.

A vision for the future

The manifesto is more than a declaration of intent; it is a call to action. “Our manifesto is a promise to empower, uplift, and create a world where talent knows no bounds,” said Ella Krohn, Founding Partner, Community and Brand. “With unwavering commitment and collective effort, we will reshape the creative industry and inspire a new generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers.”

Work with us to create an inclusive industry

The Junior invites agencies, brands, industry professionals, and supporters to join this transformative movement. Together, we can create a future where every aspiring creative has the opportunity to thrive.

About our organisation

The Junior is a pioneering organisation committed to empowering junior creatives and fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and vibrant creative industry. Through mentorship, skill development, advocacy, and community engagement, The Junior seeks to dismantle barriers and create opportunities for emerging talent to thrive.

Media Contact:

Lánre Adeleye
Founding Partner, Operations and Partnerships
Email: lanre@the-junior.com