The New Black Film Collective presents a Town Hall Debate –
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TOPIC: KING, KANG OR KONQUERED - Impact of the perceived ‘threat’ of the Black man on screen.
Join us for a dynamic and thought-provoking virtual town hall discussion that will break down, analyse, and explore the timely and important subject of how Black men have been portrayed throughout the film industry -
What has been the social impact of a negative self image?
Who has really controlled the perception and perspective of the Black male image?
Is there such a thing as Black masculine toxicity?
Could a strong and positive image of Black men be perceived as a threat to the industry?
This interactive session will feature a panel of industry professionals who will share their insights, lived experiences, and strategies for driving real change. Whether you're a creative, a student, or simply passionate about progress in the arts, this event is for you.
Host: Brother Hakim
Special Guests: Professor Robert Beckford, Yao “Tuggstar” Togobo, AmeN NoiR
Professor Robert Beckford is scholar-activist researching the intersections of faith and racial justice in and through diverse media texts. He has written a dozen books which triangulate the fields of theology, cultural studies and politics.
Beckford is a BAFTA award winning documentary filmmaker. He has written and presented over twenty films for the BBC, Channel 4 and Discovery USA. His films explore a range of themes including political critiques of the British Empire, biblical history and popular culture.
Robert’s creative reach extends into drama and black British urban music production. In 2017, his debut radio drama was broadcast on the BBC Regions. ‘Jesus Piece’ is a fictional account of a reformed gang member turned Pentecostal preacher-detective. Beckford’s current research is a practical theo-musicological project ‘The Jamaican Bible Remix Project’. Taking the form of a studio album, the project inscribes black liberation theology in urban music (grime, drum and bass, and UK Soul).
Yao “Tuggstar” Togobo began carving an impressive international reputation in spoken word poetry in the early 2000s as a solo poet and founding member of Best Kept Secret. He went on to diversify his writing style through journalism, blogs, poetical theatre, documentary, drama and graphic novels.
He was the senior writer and story producer of Adopted ID, and contributing writer of CBC’s Mr Jane and Finch. He is currently the featured author in graphic novel The Longest Night and is working on an urban mythical drama named Ghetto Messiah.
AmeN NoiR is a prominent and multi-talented artist and educator known for his lyrical wizardry and contributions to the world of poetry and performance.
He has been a force in the performance scene since 2000, both nationally and internationally. His work is recognized for bringing a fresh perspective to the world of spoken word and poetry, particularly focusing on the Black African experience. He has self-produced (6) studio albums and is due to release his 7th early 2026. In addition, he has developed a full feature spoken word documentary and graced many high profiled stages.
As a highly experienced education consultant & practitioner, Amen utilises his unique and powerful delivery style to engage and take participants on an immersive journey; on stage, classroom, or lecture theatre.
Tee Visuals is a filmmaker and creative director whose work explores the power of visual storytelling across music, film, and branded content. As the founder of a thriving production studio in the West Midlands, he has carved out a distinctive voice, crafting bold, cinematic narratives that connect with diverse audiences.
A cinematographer and editor by training, Tee has developed an extensive portfolio of music videos, commercials, short films, and documentaries, collaborating with artists, brands, and organisations across the UK and internationally. His approach blends technical precision with an instinct for authentic, emotionally resonant imagery.
Tee’s creative reach extends beyond the camera into mentoring and supporting emerging talent in the creative industries. With a commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices, he continues to shape stories that inspire, challenge, and entertain.