Underrepresented.
Underappreciated.
So very talented.
We are Creative Resilience International - a not-for-profit, multi-dimensional cultural production and development organisation. We recognise the need for instilling agency, support and education for talented yet underrepresented individuals and organisations within the fields of design, art and fashion.The team comprises industry experts who have collectively over 20 years experience in cultural strategizing, creative production and advancing education and capacity building across international markets.
What We Do
Cultural Event Planning & Management, including:
• Catwalk Production
• Exhibition Curation
• Static and Live Fashion Showcase
• Art & Music Presentations
• Seminars & Conferences
• Talent Sourcing
Education & Development, including:
• Mentoring programmes for under-performing and at-risk-of-failure college and university students.
• Workshops / Masterclasses and Webinars.
• Facilitating work placement schemes in the creative design industry (with particular expertise in fashion and fashion marketing).
• Cross-cultural exchange programmes.
• Artist's residences and workshops in heritage textile preservation.
Visual Media Production, including:
• Photo & Video Shoot Production
• Digital Content for Social Media
• Projection
Consulting:
• Cultural & Creative Research & Development
• Talent Sourcing & Management
• EDI
The Team
Anna Marie Benedict
Michael Burgess
Anna Marie Benedict has had a multifaceted career trajectory. After graduating from the University of Arts London in 1992, she entered the Civil Service and for 15 years worked for many Government departments – notably the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Mayor’s Office Cultural Department.She has been a magazine Editor in Chief and served over 8 years with Africa Fashion Week London – one of the world’s largest catwalk, exhibition and education platform showcasing African fashion and design.As well as an experienced fashion events co-ordinator, she has superlative contacts in the world of African fashion – models, designers and other creatives. She is often requested for media interviews for the BBC and other broadcast media to talk about the rise and business of African fashion. Anna Marie also is an experienced producer for fashion photoshoots and videoshoots and has worked with many international photographers, artists and stylists.
Michael Burgess, Co-founder and Director of Creative Resilience International, truly lives an intersectional life: a vehement advocate for social justice and inclusion for People of Colour, he advises on ethical practices in fashion and is a keen advocate for socio-economic and environmental sustainability.
Michael's shrewd business acumen allows him to successfully navigate multiple disciplines and industries offering a unique perspective in cultivating creative potential, upskilling, upscaling and sustainable commercial efficacy in Arts, Culture & Fashion.His passion for culture, creativity and community strengthening, coupled with excellent negotiating and networking skills are attributed to his extraordinary transnational upbringing and diverse professional history. Over the past 10 years his roles have included; Director of Business Development and Partnership - Africa Fashion Week London UK Ltd; Programmes & Operations Manager - the Africa Centre; Creative Mentor and Coach; and Senior (Cultural) Diplomatic Officer for the Belize Government. He was also a professional dancer with an international career for over 25 years.Holding several degrees and a number of professional qualifications. His passion is elevating others to elevate others.
27 January 2023
Sodi Cookey - Live
The Camden Club
72-73 Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8AN
We are delighted to announce that Creative Resilience will be co-hosting a night of music, dance and good times with one of London's most powerful and inspirational singers.Sodi Cookey spent much of his childhood growing up in the creative melting pot of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Influenced by his musical parents, Sodi was a prodigy - composing and performing from age six.
In his twenties, he returned to London and began collaborating regularly with renowned musicians and producers such as David Mrakpor and Dele Sosimi; performing at London’s annual Jazz Festival and headlining at Vienna’s prestigious ORF RadioKulture Haus.Today, Sodi is currently working on his latest album, A&G, which is an eclectic mix of sounds, rhythms and storytelling – all drawn from his various musical influences and beliefs.Sodi's lyrics echo songsmiths of the past who possessed powerful voices. He takes influence from an eclectic selection of artists including Paul Robeson, Fela, Wilson Pickett, Minnie Riperton, Marvin Gaye, Jeff Buckley, Steely Dan and Luciano Pavarotti.His repertoire includes Jazz, Soul, Blues and Nigerian Hi-Life.He will be performing with his full band at the Camden Club, 72 Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town, NW1 8AN on Friday 27 January 2023https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/471306750177
Archive 2022 Events
21 April 2022
Amado Alfadni @ the Sulger-Buel Gallery of Contemporary African Art
Creative Resilience International produced the opening night of Sudanese/Egyptian artist Amado Alfadni's first solo exhibition in London - The Alternative Museum of The Sudan.This featured elements: digital projection, artist live-stream and a live mannequin performance.
29 April 2022
Mary Martin & Sikka Rhymes
Music Video Production
CRI provided Location & Production Management services for this music video featuring Mary Martin and Sikka Rhymes. Shot at Freemasons' Hall, London by Dego Visionz.
19 June 2022
Grace Jones Meltdown Festival - 9 - 19 June
CRI produced elements of the Southbank Centre's Night of 1000 Graces - part of the Grace Jones Meltdown Festival on 18 June. A People's Catwalk and together with Africa Fashion Week London, an exclusive catwalk showcase. Designers included: Adebayo Jones, Elfreda Dali, Sista By Eyoro, Adire Oouda Textile Hub, Soboye, Marty Martin London and Kalikas Armour. Mini-collections by the 2022 Graduates of Universities West London and Northampton were also featured.
29 July 2022
Soboye 'Lagos 54' Solo Catwalk Showcase
The Soboye catwalk showcase, in partnership with the students of Winchester School of Art, was produced and promoted by Creative Resilience International.
Every 1st Wednesday in the month
Music Box at the Windmill
Your Wednesdays just got more exciting with the launch of Music Box Live @ The Windmill in Soho - 17-19 Great Windmill Street between Shaftesbury Ave and Archer Street.Feast your soul on music, food and vibes. as our fabulous hosts and house band tempt you to step up to the mic.
4 August 2022
Garifuna Collective
This August, the Belizean quartet performs a must-see, culturally rich concert at the iconic London Jazz Cafe with their distinctive complex rhythms and deep grooves.Taking their position in the long line of predecessors, they are preserving and expanding the Garifuna cultural identity through a dialogue between generations and traditions that are still expressed in their music today.The musical ensemble that embodies a vitality that comes from performing and travelling the world together radiates a high voltage of tradition and affection across the numerous generations.Their captivating harmonies rest on the shoulders of cathartic guitar riffs and exult in a sea of exuberant drum rhythms that take complete control of the dancefloor as they share their music and tales with a worldwide audience.“The complex rhythms demand attention and quickly resolve themselves into a completely irresistible groove. When the melodies kick in on top of them, the lushness is overwhelming.” — The Wall Street Journal“Full of surging seaside rhythms and yearning, soulful melodies that hang in the memory.” — BBC Music.
13 October
The Black Effect -
CRI co-produced the opening night of an exhibition celebrating African-heritage artists at Hogan-Lowells, Farringdon.
2 November 2022
Creative Africa - 120 Year Anniversary of The Royal African Society
The Royal African Society hosted an evening devoted to "Creative Africa" in celebration of 120 years of change, on 2nd November at the Aqua Shard, London. Creative Resilience International were the official Co-producer and production managersThe evening brought together leading figures from worlds of film, fashion, literature, art and music. The best African cuisine was enjoyed on the night as well as performances by renowned musical acts - Shingai, Osibisa and a live auction.The special messages from our Royal Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales and the Royal African Society’s chairperson, Arunma Oteh reinforced the ongoing work of the Society, future projects and the need for wider support.In addition to spotlighting the achievements of the Society’s groundbreaking festivals, Film Africa and Africa Writes, the event honoured some of the legends and trailblazers of fashion from the African Diaspora including Alphadi, Shade Thomas-Fahm, Yemi Kosiba.
December 2022
International Festival of Fashion in Africa (FIMA)
Rabat, Morocco
This year we were specially invited to FIMA Africa in Rabat, Africa's City of Culture '22, as experts in developing successful emerging fashion creatives & facilitating stronger links between Africa, her Diaspora and the rest of the world.Congratulations to our dear friend, international fashion legend, Alphadi, for a brilliant event which was generously endorsed under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of The Kingdom of Morocco.Great prospects from an undeniably successful event. We were honoured to have met the First Lady of Cabo Verde, Debora Carvalho. We will be working together. Keep your eyes here.We are especially proud of our 3 mentees @carollineart @anjaliborkhataria
@julia.agba . We coached them into producing strong proposals for the Emerging Fashion Designer competition. Results below,We are super proud of Caroline, the fabulous fashion & textile designer who because of her brilliant presentation at FIMA 2022 and her upstanding character has been asked by the international cultural organisation, ISESCO, to be the Kenyan Ambassador for Peace, advocating for women and girls empowerment, entrepreneurship and visibility. Wow!Anjaliii! We cannot scream your name enough. To watch your climb and be one of your mentors has been great joy and inspiration. Congratulations on winning the 2nd prize of emerging designer at FIMA 2022. Big things coming for your amazing fashion brand, @ekan_tikJulia Agba, remember her name as we do believe an exciting future is ahead for her. She is, a designer who literally brings imagination, reinvention and couture to fashion designs using traditional fabrics. This is why she won 3rd place as a promising emerging designer #fima2022.
Advisory Board
CRI sits on the Advisory Boards of the following organisations:
Africa in London Committee / Greater London Authority
Aimed at strengthening London's diverse communities through access, representation and visibility. Together with Africa Fashion Week London, CRI provides a bridge by which the GLA engages directly with Caribbean and African-heritage creatives.
Ikenga
CRI is represented in the charitable organisation, Ikenga. Ikenga supports and encourages those entering the creative industries from the diaspora and other non-traditional backgrounds. Ikenga provides mentoring and work experience for graduates in major design houses.As the UK becomes more culturally diverse each year, so do workplaces. Ikenga also provides necessary Equality, Diversity & Inclusion development as an essential part of training for all organisations.
Centre for Sustainable Fashion
CRI is represented in an advisory capacity on improving greater inclusion and representation of people of colour in the UK's fashion industry.
Sulger-Buel Gallery for Contemporary African Art
CRI is committed to promoting and raising the visibility of Black Art. Through our partnership with the Sulger-Buel Gallery, we facilitate global access for artists to exhibit at international art fairs such as 1-54 in London and Marrakesh, AKAA Art Fair in Paris and artxlagos.
Contact Us
Creative Resilience International CIC
Registered in England & Wales: 13947595
