The important reason Lenny Henry and Coldplay are collaborating on a new project

Birmingham City University Chancellor Sir Lenny Henry has joined forces with global chart-topping band Coldplay in a unique collaboration.

But the former stand up star who hails from Dudley and is renowned for his worth with Comic Relief isn’t launching a music career.

He is working with Coldplay to raise funds to improve diversity and representation across UK media.

And you could win an actual Coldplay guitar!

Sir Lenny is offering the public a chance to enter a ‘Crowdfunder’ prize draw to win a Fender guitar previously owned and signed by all Coldplay band members.

The funds raised are set to enable the delivery of new research, grants and action via Birmingham City University’s Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity.

What else has the Lenny Henry Centre done?

Since its inception almost two years ago, Birmingham City University has funded nine key research projects through its Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, including a collaboration with Cardiff University and work with Channel 4.

The Centre has published important research findings, examining the portrayal of Black people in UK documentaries, the use of the term BAME in broadcast media, and how entertainment trade unions should provide better support for their members of colour.

It carries out an array of independent activities including offering Practitioner Investigating Media Industry Diversity grants to industry professionals, while it aims to further expand its work to ensure the media better reflects UK society.

What has Lenny Henry said about his work on media diversity at BCU?

Birmingham City University Chancellor Sir Lenny Henry said: “Through our Centre we have already made great strides in ensuring we shine a light on representation in the media and hear from the many unheard voices in this industry.

“We want our work to be even more impactful to ensure it delivers the real change that is required to shape our media landscape for years to come, bringing new opportunities and tangible shifts across the sector.

“Media diversity matters to all of us, in shaping who tells our stories, which stories are told, and the career pathways open to people from under-represented communities.

“That is why I am launching this fund-raising initiative, with the help of Coldplay, to get support in helping us provide even more grants and change our industry for the better.”

What has Coldplay said about the collaboration?

Confirming the guitar’s authenticity, Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin said: “We fully support, applaud, and encourage everything that is being done to increase diversity and inclusion in the media through all of the brilliant things being done by Lenny and the whole team.”

What have BCU academics said about Lenny’s media diversity centre?

Visiting Professor Marcus Ryder, Head of External Consultancies at Birmingham City University’s Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, added: “Having worked in the TV industry for over 25 years, including campaigning for more media diversity and providing oral evidence to both Parliamentary select committees and House of Lords select committees, I believe passionately in the quality research we are carrying out and look forward to our future impact affecting real change.”

What happens to the money raised by the Crowdfunder - and how do I enter?

Through the Centre, all money raised through the Crowdfunder initiative will be used to provide grants for research and activity which promotes media diversity both in front of, and behind, the camera.

To enter visit the crowdfunder page at: Win Coldplay guitar crowdfunder

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