Other Box Community
It’s great to have you here.
We’re a company that started as a community.
Like us, there were people from marginalised backgrounds who didn’t see themselves represented fairly in the media or in the workplace. Many found a sense of belonging with Other Box that they hadn’t felt before.
That community still sits at the heart of everything we do.
Want to know how? Keep scrolling.
For founders, freelancers or creatives in the community.
Book a coaching call with Leyya (for free) to work through a tangle in your side hustle, creative project or business idea – or just to connect with someone who gets what it’s like.
Established businesses, employers and workplaces, you can also get in touch if you need consultancy/advisory.
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Other Box News is a place where we celebrate and spotlight progress. Get insights on inclusion, evidence-driven career advice and nuanced cultural commentary straight to your inbox.
Community Testimonials
WHAT’S THE COMMUNITY SAYING?
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Alia Romagnoli - Photographer
Other Box has been such an important and crucial part of my life, and I am so grateful for Leyya, who continually searches for new talent and brings light to the PoC creatives in the UK. The number of projects I have seen and been able to be a part of since then has truly been heart-warming, and being notified about creative events and having an all-around support system in Other Box Community group has helped me find another family away from home. The community has changed my life.
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Rachel Isabel - Artist
I think for me it’s support and understanding from people who have been marginalised and seen as ‘other’. There is genuine care and connection, and possibilities to collaborate in so many ways. Other Box gives us the opportunity to hear other people’s experiences and has provided a safe space for refuge and release.
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Simon Devereux - Founder ACCESS: VFX
Other Box has become such an inspiration to me and my work; as switched on commercially as any successful business, with the beating heart of a revolutionary. Refreshing, rebellious and authentic, they represent a genuine movement and a fight that a lot of businesses lack the confidence to tackle, but they absolutely have to if they want to survive creatively. Plus, they’re really cool people.
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Trish Cartner - Youth Worker / Illustrator
Just love the sense of community! Love seeing people who would have potentially never met before chatting, tagging each other on job opportunities & sharing achievements. BIG UP YOURSELVES for building such a great business, service and community that has allowed people to learn, discuss and achieve!
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Indiana Lawrence - Creative
Being part of the Nike x Jorja Smith workFORCE campaign was an incredible opportunity to work with a talented team that pushed me to think bigger. I'm so grateful to Other Box for including me in such a significant campaign—it has greatly helped me as a young creative of color. Entering an industry where you're underrepresented can be daunting, but having a platform like Other Box, full of relatable people offering support and guidance, makes it feel like there's no limit to what I can achieve.
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Kiran Sahota - Historian
I just wanted to thank you for all your support and help. I came across your work when looking for an artist and found your fantastic community. It is amazing what you are doing and you inspire the work that I do which is to empower, inspire and educate.
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Tolu Farinto - Founder of Limitless Live
Other Box community has been a great place for the most interesting conversations. Years of exploring concepts to the carefully moderated disagreements it's been a place where I have always learned from everyone in the community. Benefitting from the founders knowledge has also been a major plus for me. A community of like-minded, kind and incredibly talented people.
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Calum Hall - Founder
Leyya has created a company and community that empowers, educates, and champions diversity and inclusion both in the workplace and in society. As a friend and collaborator of Other Box for many years, I'm constantly inspired by their passion, determination, and resilience. Now more than ever, we need to celebrate those on the front lines of making the world a better place. Other Box is a true flag-bearer for a better society, and the future is brighter with their continued work.
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Natasha Kathi-Chandra - Creative
I’ve made many strong & meaningful connections and relationships with people both inside and outside of my industry through this community . I feel safe, uplifted and supported in here and hope we continue to thrive as Other Box community! Thank you Leyya.
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Monica M Sarkar - Journalist
I finally feel like I can celebrate! It's as though all the amazing individuals and communities usually on society's periphery have been invited to dance in the center. Growing up in London, I never felt that way—I thought my place was always on the outside. Through this group, I've learned so much about who else is out there. It has reinforced our rightful place in society, the media, and the world: right in the middle!
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Jamie Windust - Writer
This past year has shown us that community is adaptable, and The Other Box family have been a constant reminder of that. I have deeply valued the sense of conversation, help, allyship and nourishment that Other Box has created over the past couple of years, it's a lifeline for so many.
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Poorna Bell - Author and Journalist
Other Box community make me feel seen and heard, but also instantly connects me to the vast wealth of talent that don’t often get the opportunities and recognition they deserve. Their work is vital.
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Jade Coles - Head of Programming, Apple
Words cannot describe how beneficial Other Box community has been to me. From meeting new people to fostering collaboration, engaging with new talent and simply having a 'go-to' place for both emotional and practical support over the past couple of years. Thank you to Leyya!
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Simon Alexander Ong - Author/Speaker/Coach
Other Box community has been an incredible place to connect with new friends and the diversity of its members provides wonderful perspectives and ideas. One of the best things to come out of it has been the introduction to talented individuals whom I’ve ended up collaborating on projects with!
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Bhavini Goyate - DEI Programmes Manager
I’ve gained so much knowledge, networks and joy being a part of this community and following you since you began in 2016. You’ve created such a wonderful community. Thank you for it all.
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Sanjay Lago - Actor, Writer and Comedian
In my years in this group, I’ve made new friends and contacts and learned so much about various industries, people, and myself. Other Box has provided a safe space to discuss my work, tackle tough topics, and connect with others. I'll always remember when people from Other Box helped with the test run of my workshop. Thank you for the laughs, tears, and empowerment as a Gaysian dyslexic artist in Scotland, knowing I am not alone.
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Shilpa Bilimoria - Founder & Creative Director, House of Bilimoria
My life is so much richer with Other Box in it. I feel seen, heard, and in a collective energy that was so much missing in my life before you arrived. Your seminars this year, the events I have had the pleasure of being at and participating in have been in absolutely wonderful. And the community you bring, warms my heart. Wishing and looking forward to many more. Thank you.
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Sidra Hussain - Blogger & Artist
I have adored being part of such an amazing community group. In such a short period I have been able to gain confidence in talking about my projects and Other Box has been a great help to me. As an artist it has been so difficult to communicate with others however with Other Box I have found many other artists to share my work with. You have given me a voice to be free and I am forever grateful.
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Sulaiman Khan - Founder ThisAbility® ltd
Joy, inclusion, friendship, creativity, support, and love. That’s what being a part of Other Box community means to me since founded in 2016. As a South Asian man who is a disabled entrepreneur and a continual work-in-progress, apart from my disabled global family, Other Box community is one of the few places where I feel fully seen, heard, and valued. Here’s to many more years (and beyond) for Other Box Community!
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Ryan Lanji - Presenter/Cultural Producer/Curator
It’s incredible to see a community like Other Box grow from strength to strength into a paramount support system for many. They have successfully grown not asking people to do better but leading by example. So blessed too have collaborated with Other Box and observed their beautiful community and achievements.
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Sereena Abbassi - Mum
Other Box provides a space for different types of people (with a synergy in values) to come together and psychologically/emotionally feel safe. There has never been a bigger need for this. The biggest thank you, as I know that you pour your heart and soul into nurturing the Other Box community.
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Charlotte Khushi - Creative
Other Box, it’s amazing how you connect, support and bring joy to so many people's lives. I’m so proud to be part of the community - it constantly enriches my life. Wishing you many more years of bringing ‘others’ together, and growing in strength, beauty and brilliance.
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Mary Lo - Founder + Designer
Other Box has given me lifelong friends and a cherished community that supports me no matter where I am in the world. I'm so proud of Leyya for creating a space for all people of colour and honoured to have watched the community grow over the years. Though I am no longer in the U.K., I always remember how blessed I am to have experienced firsthand the wonderful space and community Other Box provides.
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Matt Smith - Creative
I’ve been staying in tune with your work, events and activities and liking and sharing as much as I can. But sadly there is no “fucking awesome” button, so those platforms all feel kinda limiting. So I wanted to send you a message to say... wow, wow, wow. What you are doing is amazing and inspiring. Even for a middle-aged white bloke - see, you are engaging all the demographics :) Keep at it!
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Poonam Dhuffer - Founder, Somatic Coach, Artist, Creative Facilitator
Seeing people celebrate, uplift, and support each other has been so beautiful. There is so much richness in our diverse lived experiences. The world needs more spaces like Other Box, where we can come together to learn, listen, and share without judgment. Thank you for always supporting my vision of YSM8. Witnessing you grow as leaders, founders, creatives, and women have inspired me. Thank you for always making me feel welcome.
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Emma Sexton - Founder
Other Box events and their community are just incredible. As much as I know all about their amazing initiative it was the first one of their events I was able to go to and honestly have to say it is one of the best events I have ever been to for the atmosphere and conversation. These events are helping me to unpick a lifetime of conditioning and privilege so I can do better for ALL women.
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Andrea Spisto- Creative
Being an immigrant in the UK can be incredibly isolating. Not having a network of family, close relationships and acquaintances means you are disconnected from a large community. Other Box is one of the only real examples of an online community which makes this easier. Having a space to express support, friendship, community building and sharing of resources is what community is all about. Thank you Other Box community!
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Francis Augusto - Artist
Other Box has consistently shown me the beauty and power of community and what it can do on a professional and personal level. From the job listing giving us opportunities to work, to events where you see yourself and people from your community. As a friend, I have loved being in the background and being a cheerleader of Leyya & Co. As a member, I take pride in Other Box, and being in the community.
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Nadia Javed - Musician, Actor, Writer
Working and collaborating with Other Box has been a fun and welcoming experience. I felt comfortable and accepted as a woman of colour for the first time. I've felt supported in a community of like-minded individuals in a relaxed, non-competitive environment. Other Box challenges structural racism and amplifies the voices of people of colour, providing a safe space to share our stories and experiences. Other Box has made me feel special and unapologetic about my culture and skin colour.
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Mikaela Dragon - Freelance Creative / Design Director
What makes Other Box truly special are the members, who are talented, open-minded, and brilliant. It’s my gateway to a vibrant community full of diverse talent I never imagined I'd connect with. Members are very active on the forum, so there's always something interesting to follow and new things to learn. The community inspires new ideas for my personal and work projects.
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Shanu Walpita - Educator / Foresight Director
To me, Other Box represents connection, cultural sensitivity and nuance. It’s a welcoming place where inclusion, learning and unlearning are posited as the building blocks of an equitable future. In times of deficit and polarisation, it’s so important for online spaces like this to exist and thrive. I’m really proud to be a part of this community.
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Bosola Ajenifuja - Digital Creator
Being part of Other Box community has been invaluable to me, especially in difficult times. It's restored my faith by showing me firsthand that many people in the world are fighting to make it a better place. When I have concerns about race or inequality, Other Box provides a safe space where I can openly discuss and express myself fully.
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Priya Saujani - Artist
Other Box has been a valuable platform essential to nurturing emerging talent and supporting experienced members alike. It's building a community that was lacking throughout my studies and career. Having a safe space after so long is truly beautiful. Witnessing the growth of members and connecting with others on this platform is immensely valuable. Thank you for the people, opportunities, and events you've facilitated so far.
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Isabelle Silvers - Journalist
Other Box has been an invaluable resource for me as a South Asian creative. Not only have I built a strong professional network, I’ve also developed a supportive community of likeminded creatives, all of whom want to push for a more inclusive and representative sector. Leyya is a true champion who is a credit to any business or individual she works with and I count myself lucky to be a part of this community.
Stay on top of our latest news, free educational content and cultural commentary. And get to know the talented people who make up the community. Trust us, you’re in good company!
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