Bristol’s first black-owned TV production company has been launched with a mission to create content from a fresh perspective.
Blak Wave, which has been co-founded by filmmaker Michael Jenkins and equality and diversity campaigner Dr Mena Fombo, is unique among Bristol’s 140 TV production companies. 
Michael and Mena, pictured, said the company would give a voice to those underrepresented on our screens while telling stories that reflect and resonate with today’s TV audiences.
As well as being a highly regarded equality and diversity campaigner in Bristol, Mena is credited with founding Black Girl Convention – an event that celebrates, appreciates, connects and enjoys all the things that unite black women – and has a background in filmmaking, including heading the creative production agency Eight at Knowle West Media Centre.
Michael, whose recent documentary about St Pauls Carnival won wide acclaim, has produced content for the BBC, Channel 4 and a range of digital platforms.
Blak Wave is being incubated by Bristol-based award-winning production company Drummer TV, which makes entertainment and factual programming for Channel 4, BBC1, BBC3, Channel 5, CBBC and British Sign Language Broadcast Television.
While Bristol is synonymous with a range of often internationally acclaimed TV output, diversity and a lack of representation continue to be an issue at all levels of the sector just as it is at a national level.
Michael Jenkins said: “I’ve been a filmmaker for the past seven years and more often than not, when I enter a commissioning room, I’m the only black person in it.
“Blak Wave is a huge opportunity to invest in developing new narratives and tell untold stories that reflect the population”.
Mena added: “You’ve heard of a rogue wave, well now a Blak Wave is coming, and we’re inviting everyone to jump on board and ride it. This is going to be great for the industry, particularly in the South West.”
Drummer TV directors Tamsin Summers and Rachel Drummond Hay said: “When Drummer started we were one of only a handful of production companies owned by women and now Blak Wave is paving the way for BAME-led TV in our region.
“We’re thrilled to be supporting them. There’s a misconception that the underrepresented want to make niche programming and Mike and Mena will prove this wrong with ideas that are broad, big and bold.”
