Emaleigh Conn, 25, from Dudley, was invited to Buckingham Palace in November, where she had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet King Charles III. The meeting celebrated her impactful work in improving representation on stage and screen and her dedication to empowering underrepresented communities.
“Meeting King Charles and discussing my work was a ‘pinch me’ moment,” said Emaleigh, who graduated with a BA Honours in Applied Performance in 2021. “The highlight of the evening was not only sharing my journey but also connecting with other creatives who are shaping the industry.”
Her passion for social justice and storytelling began in her hometown, where she volunteered tirelessly to support local communities and tackle inequality. This commitment continued during her studies at Birmingham City University (BCU), where she realized the power of drama to drive social change.
“I’ve always felt compelled to tackle prejudice, and during my time at BCU, I discovered how theatre could be a tool for raising awareness and creating meaningful change,” Emaleigh explained.
A trailblazer in the creative sector, Emaleigh founded the Gypsy Roma and Traveller Working Group (GRTWG) within the Actors’ Union, Equity UK. Over the past six years, her efforts have focused on ensuring accurate and fair portrayals of ethnic minorities in film, television, and theatre.
In addition to her groundbreaking advocacy work, Emaleigh supports victims of modern slavery, helping rehabilitate those trafficked into the UK. She hopes to continue expanding opportunities for marginalized voices in the arts:
“My dream is to create a space where members of the GRT community and anyone who feels underrepresented in the arts can flourish and feel empowered to take their rightful place in the creative industry.”