You Only Need One Person in Your Corner
Rhia on the left and Marina
You Only Need One Person in Your Corner
Hi, I’m Rhia Brown and in 2024, I joined the UK Black Comms Network, which led me to read an article about a UK publicist named Marina Forsythe. Her story genuinely inspired me, and I hadn’t felt inspired like that in a while. I reached out to Marina, and to my surprise, she replied and even offered to have a virtual chat. During our conversation, she walked me through her career path and experiences, giving me a real insight into the film industry and she did it with such generosity and openness. Not long after, Marina invited me to shadow her at Soul Fest 2024. I had no idea what to expect, but the second I stepped into that space, I was hooked. Since then, Marina has taken me under her wing. She’s looped me into projects such as Supacell x Sickle cell the power of representation, the MOBO Awards and Soul Fest 2025.
Beyond opportunities, she’s given me honest advice, encouragement, and the kind of guidance you only get from someone who truly wants to see you grow. She’s also pushed me to lean into my wider skill set. I’ve always been strong in social media strategy, and she encouraged me to combine that with publicity and digital storytelling.
What’s wild is that all of this has happened within a year. One year ago, I didn’t even know film publicity was a space I could step into, and now I have secured my first film publicist role.
And that’s really the point of this piece: sometimes, all it takes is one person in your corner. The Black Comms Network gave me the chance to discover Marina, and Marina gave me the push, the opportunities, and the belief that I could step into something new.
If it wasn’t for that one article, that one message, and that one conversation, I wouldn’t have realised I could combine my passion for film with my career. It’s proof that sometimes, a single connection can change everything. I’m deeply grateful to the Black Comms Network for creating a space where people of colour can support one another, share advice, and genuinely feel safe and connected.
