Rebel Spirit: Activism Through Arts Leadership with Zerritha Brown

Ceri interviews Zerritha Brown, Head of Culture at London's Camden Council, about how her Jamaican roots fuel her rebel spirit to drive grassroots activism. Zerritha shares how she brings that spirit into institutional settings through relationship-building and empowering others. She provides insight on how institutions need to understand their communities, not just co-produce content. Zerritha also discusses her soft yet deep listening leadership style and how she’s paving the way for the next generation.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Zerritha’s Jamaican heritage and music instilled a rebel spirit in her to create access and open doors in the arts for underrepresented communities.
• She builds relationships with institutions to create change from within, like bringing a sound system into the British Museum.
• Institutions need artists and community members working at all levels, not just co-producing content.
• Zerritha’s approach involves collaborating with the same artists long-term to actively shape communities.
• Her listening leadership style achieves remarkable results by empowering others.
• She believes in succession planning to pave the way for the next generation of diverse arts leaders.
• Dance and movement energise and inspire Zerritha to keep growing as a leader.
• Despite challenges, she learned to lead as her authentic self rather than fit a typical leadership stereotype.

BEST MOMENTS 
"That rebel attitude, being Jamaican, from Kingston, Jamaica, music as well, particularly reggae was becoming quite politicised at that time. My dad always carried that warrior, fighter, rebel, rebellious spirit, which was ingrained in me and my siblings."

"The spaces that we have in our control are the public realm. So how do we start to use that public realm and our role as connectors and conveners, bringing people into public space through cultural intervention?"

“They've been able to come in and really connect with us with what is going on in the ground, what needs to happen, where we're doing things wrong, where we're not listening. But also feed that into some of the partners that they're working with. I've seen a real shift change.

"I think also just being me as well and, and just being that, you know, I find, as I said, listening is a real skill…I don't think I can do my job if I don't listen."

PODCAST HOST BIO
Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

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