--  PAMELA ROBERTS MA
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
THE INTERNATIONAL BLACK MEDIA FESTIVAL: BREAKING THE ILLUSIONS

Pamela Roberts started her career in media via a medical accident. Pamela was introduced to video production as a form of therapy; after attending a number of professional courses in a range of video and scripting skills Pamela realized that there was a need for media organizations to provide professional courses for disabled people that did not patronize them. Realizing the need and no provision, Pamela set up the first training course for black women with disabilities in 1988.

The success of the course led to Pamela setting up her first business, delivering disability equality training and disability media representation for arts organizations and independent production workshops. Her client lists included among others the British Film Institute, Arts Council of Great Britain and the Greater London Council. The success of the business led to Pamela becoming the Young Career Woman of the year – runner up for the South East region 199.

Pamela was soon headhunted by Channel Four Television to develop their first production media training scheme for disabled people. Pamela was also invited to become a mentor for one of the students.

Pamela worked with a range of commissioners, Ravensbourne Television School and independent production companies on developing the first scheme. This brought Pamela to the attention of the BBC where she was headhunted to set up their first disability broadcasting unit.

Pamela produced and directed a range of programme during her time
at the BBC, including the first documentary, filmed in America, on race, disability. Whilst at the BBC Pamela was awarded a bursary to learn to fly a single engine airplane. The flying lessons precipitated a move from her home in London to Buckinghamshire, where the flying school was situated.

After relocating to Buckinghamshire, Pamela went on to study for a master’s degree in media management at the University of Hertfordshire. The university was the first university in the country to offer a post graduate programme in media management. Pamela enrolled with thirty other students; they were all men and all white.

Pamela graduated with only two other students. She became was the first black woman in the country to have a master’s degree in media management (film and television).

Pamela founded the International black media festival in 2003. The rationale for starting the festival was there were no opportunities to go and watch black films or debate topical issues affecting black people in the media within the South east region.

In it two year history, the festival has established it self as the premier black media festival situated in the south east of England. Pamela received the Windrush Award for professional achievement and the European Federation of Black Women Business Owners Award for media in 2004. However, the crème de la crème was being invited to Buckingham Place to meet the Queen of England in recognition of outstanding contribution to media services.
 

Bucks Newspaper feature on Pamela