The Future of Media: Gal-Dem
We can’t wait to beg for inclusion from a landscape which has devalued our existence for so long. An Interview.
Liv Little, 24, is the London- based founder of gal-dem, a media juggernaut that is comprised of an online platform, print publication, events, radio show and pretty much whatever their community demands. Founded as an online space for women of color to have their voices heard, stories told and art seen, Liv and her team are well on their way to permanently changing the face of media to be inclusive, collaborative and always rebellious. Listen as Liv lets us in on her plans for world domination.
What makes you excited about the future of media? Where do you see it headed in the next 5 years?
LL: I’m really excited, it’s beautiful to see women and nonbinary people of colour taking up space and demanding a seat at the table. We can’t wait to beg for inclusion from a landscape which has devalued our existence for so long. The work which my peers and other young people are producing is so strong and gone is the view that there is one way to make it in media. In TV traditionally you’d have to go through the route of production companies but now we have YouTube series ending up on HBO. It’s beautiful. I hope that I’m not so shocked when I see someone that looks like me on TV, it’s different in America — they actually cater to black people, there is a lot more representation on screen [than here in the UK]. We still have a long way to go but I hope that in five years we are the ones with the power — controlling how the money gets spent and what gets commissioned.
(Obviously) you are focused on women, and nonbinary POC, but you are still accessible to other audiences. Why do you think that is?
LL: I think good journalism should speak to the masses and every piece of content which goes up on gal-dem has been rigorously edited and thought about. We don’t publish content for the sake of it and the quality of the writing really does speak for itself. It’s why we beat the Financial Times for Comment Site of the Year. It’s all about women and nonbinary people of colour writing about whatever they want, whatever interests them — just as white journalists are given the opportunity to do across the whole of mainstream media. It’s about us demonstrating the nuance within what is a very broad category, people need to understand that our voice is not homogenous. I think it’s refreshing for a lot of people because these are not perspectives which they are getting to hear most of the time.
How do you create content that both celebrates your editorial vision, and educates “outsiders” (which includes cultural and creative outsiders)? Or do you? Do you feel like as a journalist and media company you have any responsibility toward this kind of education?
LL: I wouldn’t say we have a responsibility to educate people, but, of course, when you provide resources on the internet, that is something which ends up happening! And it can only be a good thing. I’m someone who believes in the power of dialogue. I think through engaging with individuals who you might not normally, there is the power to bring about Positive change and push things forward. gal-dem is also massively about providing a space where women and nonbinary people of colour can find a sense of community! It benefits us which I guess in turn benefits other people.
How would you love to see brands interacting with WoC/gnc run publications? Any advice (or warnings) for them?
LL: We want to work with brands that we feel are authentic, and want to develop long standing relationships with them. We aren’t interested in filling diversity quotas or being the thing of ‘now.’ Sustainable relationships are the way forward. I also think it is very important to recognise your strengths/limitations. I’ve done a lot of brand consultations and it’s really valuable when there is the opportunity to truly shape a creative vision or project. Often messages can get diluted and that is not what will leave WOC feeling represented.
What tools do you use to engage younger audiences with your platform?
LL: We’ve started doing more outreach in schools and workshops with young people. The digital is really important but actually developing real world connections with people is even more important. We forget that sometimes given the digital age that we live in!
What would a meaningful partnership look like to gal-dem?
LL: A meaningful partnership would be one in which there is true collaboration. Something which goes beyond hosting a dinner party for influencers to attend. It’s about creating experiences and these shouldn’t always be exclusive. I’m all about inclusivity and creating something really special — the more immersive the better.
With media pivoting increasingly to digital platforms, why is creating print issues — physical objects — important to your publication?
LL: Online provides a space where we can turn around huge volumes of content, content which responds to the world in which we live and print serves a different purpose. Print for us (once a year) is about curating an issue which relates to the year which we have had. Last year we explored the theme of home because its meaning was being challenged left right and centre. We don’t publish a flimsy publication — it’s the size of a book (if not bigger). it’s a collectors item. Something people can keep and pass down to other people to read.
You also focus on events. Do you see these as a necessary extension of the company and if so, why?
LL: I think at first you have to build your brand and get good at one thing. We started with content online but as a lot of us work within the visual arts — events were the next extension of gal-dem. We didn’t want the community to only function online! We wanted to meet our readers and get to know them and also find new ones. We take a lot of our content offline — for example, our #SELFCARESUNDAYS article series has now also become an event series and people are really excited by that!
How do you maintain editorial creativity (and fun) in an increasingly politicized media landscape?
LL: Having fun is so important! Life can be difficult, draining and isolating — so we have to find time to get together and laugh. The tone of our content is very chatty, it’s relatable. It’s possible to do both.
How do you find and mentor younger talent?
LL: At the moment, through the many internship requests that we get every day. We’re submitting a bid to roll out a mentoring scheme at the moment.
