Broadcaster and entrepreneur Maya Jama is once again partnering with Creative Access, a leading social enterprise, on a mentorship programme for women from under-represented backgrounds launching careers in the creative industries.
Following the success of the inaugural programme, the six-month initiative will connect 11 emerging creatives with 11 accomplished mentors from Maya Jama’s professional network, offering guidance, industry insight and career support across 9 creative sectors.
Running from September 2026 to March 2027, the programme will support women interested in pursuing careers in the following categories: talent management, branding/communications, PR, photography, business/entrepreneurism, broadcasting/comedy, TV production, theatre production and music.
Maya Jama has enlisted a group of leading women from across the creative industries to act as mentors, including:
- Janine Fernandes, VP Global Marketing, Coty
- Issy Lloyd, Director of Entertainment, Insanity
- Francesca Hayward, Senior Culture & Entertainment Manager, Diageo
- Thanyia Moore, Comedian, Writer, Actor and Presenter
- Sara Berger, CEO, Sproud
- Victoria Buzzington, Talent Producer
- Anna Meacham, CEO and Founder, Huxley
- Eleanor Lloyd, Theatre Producer
- Annie Reid, Photographer
- Alice Beal, Head of Insanity Records
- Shabz Choudhury, Global Entertainment & Celebrity Partnerships, Nike
Maya Jama said: “When I started out, some of the opportunities that changed my life came from people who were willing to share their time, advice and belief in me. Not everyone has access to those networks, and that’s something I’ve always wanted to help change.
Seeing the impact of the programme’s first year made me even more determined to bring it back. There is so much incredible talent out there, but talent alone isn’t always enough — sometimes what makes the difference is having someone in your corner who can help you navigate the industry and open doors.
I’m incredibly proud to be bringing together such an inspiring group of women from across the creative industries to mentor the next generation. My hope is that this programme gives participants the confidence, knowledge and connections to build careers they might never have thought possible.”
Stephanie Hall, director of talent and outreach at Creative Access, said:
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Maya Jama for the second year of this transformative mentoring programme. At Creative Access, we know the importance of equipping the next generation of diverse talent with the skills and confidence needed to create lasting industry connections. With 11 mentors and 11 mentees participating in this year’s cohort, we’re creating more opportunities than ever for emerging creatives to build successful careers.”
Renaya Dhillon, who was mentored by Julie Adenuga on the programme in 2025, commented on how valuable her experience was:
“The opportunity to move to London and get my foot in the door of the media/ creative industries will have a lasting impact on my career trajectory and opportunities that come after!”
Applications open on 1 July 2026 and close on 14 July 2026 at 11.59pm. For more information and to apply, visit here.
Image credits: Zac Mahrouche
