Hype & Genius

### About Hype & Genius

Hype & Genius is an award-winning creative cultural organisation founded in 2023, focused on improving access to the creative industries and addressing structural barriers within the sector.

The organisation works with brands, institutions and funders through consultancy and advisory services, while also developing creative education and programmes for individuals working across areas including music, fashion, media and content.

Its programmes have supported more than 2,500 people, with a focus on helping creatives develop careers, build communities and access opportunities within the industry.

### Purpose & Social Impact

Hype & Genius aims to make the creative industries more accessible by addressing issues such as unpaid work, closed professional networks and unequal treatment.

Alongside its commercial consultancy work, the organisation develops standards around fair and sustainable creative practice and delivers educational programmes designed to help people develop skills, careers and professional networks.

Hype & Genius operates as a social enterprise through both a limited company and a community interest company (CIC). The commercial side provides agency and consultancy services, while the CIC delivers free programmes, with income from commercial activity supporting initiatives that are free to participants.

### Leadership

The organisation is led by co-directors Korinna Williams and Khadijah Noel, also known as recording artist Lylo Gold.

Korinna Williams has more than ten years of experience across youth employment, education and creative enterprise. Her previous roles have included leadership positions in the youth sector and a technology startup, as well as running her own creative agency. She has also led partnerships with brands including Sony and Samsung.

Khadijah Noel is a strategic consultant, educator and programme designer with experience in creative learning, artist development and inclusive programme design. She works within the music team at Arts Council England and has 15 years of experience as a recording artist.

### Values

Hype & Genius places emphasis on five core areas:

* **Creativity** — Encouraging originality, individuality and unconventional thinking.
* **Fairness** — Improving access to creative opportunities and challenging barriers within the industry.
* **Community** — Connecting people from different backgrounds and creating opportunities for collaboration.
* **Action** — Turning ideas into practical change and supporting people to develop and adapt.
* **Curation** — Taking a deliberate approach to programmes and projects, with a focus on meaningful outcomes and learning.

### Awards & Recognition

Hype & Genius won the Partnership Working Award at the London Youth Awards in 2023 alongside youth charity Shadow To Shine.

The award recognised the Hype & Genius Creative Summer School, a six-week programme designed to help young people gain skills and explore careers within the creative industries. Garden Studios and Fender were delivery partners on the programme.

### Services & Activities

* Creative consultancy
* Creative industry consultancy
* Strategic consultancy
* Creative education
* Artist development
* Programme design
* Youth creative programmes
* Creative career development
* Inclusive programme development
* Creative industry advisory services
* Community programmes