Sophie #mixedmonday
I’m Sophie, I’m 31 and originally from Bristol. I now live with my boyfriend in London and work as a Senior Event Producer.
How would you describe your ethnicity?
I'm the youngest of four, from what I would call a blended family. Sometimes I say I’m one of five, as my half siblings have a sister two months older than me and we all get on so she’s an added sister. Leanne from @_beyond_the_mix is my “full” sister. My dad is from Jamaica and my Mum is Greek Cypriot. I've always loved the heritage of both my mum and dad, but as I’ve got older I’ve fallen in and out of touch with my dad, so sometimes feel I know more about my Greek Cypriot heritage more than my Jamaican. I've always called myself mixed race. I didn’t know I was different until my dad had to sit me down after an incident of racism in primary school and since then I’ve always been acutely aware of being the only brown person in the room. I went to an established Drama School to learn stage management and technical theatre and I was one of only two black people on my course. Luckily for me in my year Michaela Coel was studying, so I was exposed to her talent at a young age and it really pushed me to challenge expectations of being a black woman.
Has your mixed-ness influenced your career in any way?
Absolutely, working in the events industry on large global events such as the World Cup, I am really aware that few people look like me, or if they do they are the cleaners or security and this has been a driver for me to push for inclusivity. I’m lucky enough to work for a company that acknowledge the industry needs to change and we regularly work together from DEI&B initiatives to pushing where and how we look for talent.
Being mixed is a constant driver for me to be better so that I can show to other people like me you can succeed even if you are the only one that looks like you in the room.
If you could describe your mixed identity in one word, what would it be?
Unique
What is the best thing about being mixed heritage?
The ever changing journey that it allows me to have and the chance to break boundaries no one expects and proving to myself that I can do it.
