Everything to Everybody Internship Reflection Blog

The Everything to Everybody project this year was in collaboration with year 12 students from

George Dixon Academy. To say I was stunned by the school on my first impression is an

understatement. The diversity of staff and students at the school had me in awe, this school really

acted as a microcosm of Birmingham’s diversity. Birmingham as a city of Sanctuary and its long

history of immigration were evident at this institution.

My main role as an intern was to assist the lead creative on engaging with and facilitating sessions

between the students and practitioners. Essentially, to help the students curate an exhibition,

regarding the civic gospel, to be displayed at the Shakespeare memorial room in the library of

Birmingham. The point of the exhibition was to be a celebration of Birmingham and its community,

spotlighting everything great about our city. The primary question to which we asked and carried

throughout the sessions and to the exhibition was, ‘what does Everything to Everybody mean for the

Birmingham youth today?’. This generated many insightful conversations, but it also arose a

consistent problem when conversing. It was hard to encourage positive opinions and perspectives

about Birmingham. It made me realise how embroiled the city was in its own negative self-image.

Regardless, we persisted, and our star sixth formers Rejwan, Jo and Ale were invested within the

project. Being able to work alongside them is one of the reasons I am so grateful to be interning on

this project. They have been so inspiring and have given me so much perspective on several different

issues. When discussing Birmingham’s diversity, most of the time its to refer to its ethnic diversity,

but the girls were always quick to remind us that diversity comes in so many other forms. People are

multifaceted and people’s identities are not exclusive to their appearances.

Specifically, what impressed and motivated me the most was the spirit of these sixth formers. Like

earlier mentioned, not everyone exactly thinks the highest of Birmingham. However, what made

them so inspiring is how they acknowledged they were not happy with something and then

proceeded to do something about it. The Edgbaston Youth Council is a council founded by Jo, to

create collaboration between the different schools within the district, amplifying a unified voice for

students. This was completely organised and formed by Jo, to say that they don’t take things lying

down would be trivialising their accomplishments. Their resilient spirit and their amazing

contributions, that led me to reflect and contemplate, have left a profound effect on me. They are

living an embodiment of Everything to Everybody.

So, when it was finally time for the launch of the exhibition, there was a warm feeling of pride inside

seeing the hard work of everyone being realised and applauded. Reading the poetry of the students

being displayed in the cabinets, and their ideas from the Pinterest boards that they created coming

to life, was such a fulfilling moment. Least to say that my cheeks were hurting from smiling ear to ear

the entire exhibition. It was also great seeing my colleagues Ava-Daniera and Heather, who also

worked with the sixth formers, and us reflecting on the entire experience together. Though I doubt

when the civic gospel was spoken into existence, they envisioned it for the students and artists that

worked on this project. I truly believe that this exhibition will celebrate the brilliance of our city and

embolden people to not be passive; but to possess the founding radical principles of Everything to

Everybody for the betterment of ourselves and our community.