Everything to Everybody Internship Reflection Blog

September 20, 2023

Aaliah Ullah

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.

We Make Brum is on at the Shakespeare Memorial Room, Library of Birmingham till Saturday 30 September.