After a successful inaugural event, The D Word conference is back and will be hosted by BT Sport at their studios at the Queen Elizabeth Park, in London.

The second instalment on diversity, The D Word2, will take place on October 24 and will be free of charge to attend. The initiative is funded by Fare and Refresh Films and organised as part of the Football People weeks.

The D Word2 will build upon the foundation created in September 2014, where over 140 people flocked to the inaugural event at the London College of Communication. Located in one of the most multi-cultural parts of the capital, the delegates came to lend their voices to what proved to be an inspiring and challenging inaugural debate on this issue.

The aim of this second conference is to review progress since the first D Word, seek further advice and positive solutions, and set out targets for the sports media – to put diversity firmly on the agenda for the industry’s key decision makers.

Leon Mann, founder of The Black Collective of Media in Sport (BCOMS) and co-owner of Refresh Films, said: “BCOMS is delighted to be delivering our second D Word conference at the BT Sport studios. It is a fantastic venue to discuss, debate and ultimately come up with practical ways to help ensure the sports media becomes more diverse.

“We have some tremendous speakers lined up for the conference and the day will offer an unrivalled networking opportunity for those wanting to progress in the industry or get a foot in the door to begin their career in the sports media.

“The conference is free and we urge people to sign up early as there was a huge demand for the first D Word.”

Following the event, a D Word2 guide to delivering diversity in the sports media will be circulated across the sports and media industries. The guide will be based on ideas and contributions generated from the conference and put together by BCOMS who aim to be the first port of call both for black professionals in the sports media and talented newcomers looking to develop their careers.

On a similar note, after the conference in 2014 a good practice guide was also made available addressing the under-representation of ethnic minorities in sports media.

If you would like to attend this important conference, please get your ticket here or e-mail info@bcoms.co if you have any questions.

From Voice Online