Meet the Creative Mind Behind Our 2026 Showcase Campaign

Every year, the BCT Showcase asks something of the creatives who make it. This year, we decided to ask something of our community too.

Back in the June, we launched the Black Creative Trailblazers 2026 Campaign Open Call in partnership with The Onlii, inviting Black creatives to pitch a marketing campaign for this year's Showcase, built around our theme: Strength in Vulnerability. We wanted a campaign that didn't just look good, but that actually sat with the question we're asking our creatives to sit with this year: what does it mean to be fully seen?

The response told us something about where our community's head is at right now. We had submissions that were sharp, strange, tender, and confident in equal measure. Choosing one felt genuinely difficult, and we mean that as a compliment to everyone who sent something in.

The winner is Judah Shiyanbade, a Manchester-based artist working across photography, podcasting, and marketing. His concept will now be developed into the official campaign for the 2026 Showcase, taking place on Friday 4 September at Factory International, Manchester, and he'll receive £750 as part of the award.

Why Judah's concept stood out

Judah doesn't stick to one medium, and that's the point of his work. He moves between photography, conversation, and visual storytelling depending on what a story needs, not what's easiest. That instinct is shaped early: he grew up with a father who painted, in a house where making things was just part of the day, not a separate pursuit.

What runs through his work is a curiosity about what people carry and what they choose to show. His campaign concept met our theme somewhere honest: not a polished picture of Black creative success, but a look at the humanity and nerve behind it. That's exactly what Strength in Vulnerability is supposed to be about, and it's rare to see a campaign brief answered with that much care.

Over the coming months, Judah will work closely with our team and with The Onlii to bring the concept to life, and we'll be sharing it with you as it develops in the lead-up to September.

About The Onlii

The Onlii is a purpose-led, B Corp-certified agency delivering world-class, responsible creativity. We believe in the transformative power of community and are deeply committed to championing diverse, young talent. By actively supporting emerging creators and growing their industry skills, we foster an inclusive space where trailblazing voices can thrive, elevate their craft, and shape the future of creative excellence.

The 2026 Showcase

Black Creative Trailblazers' 2026 Showcase lands on Friday 4 September at Factory International, Manchester, bringing together artists, performers, designers, photographers, filmmakers, and creatives across disciplines under this year's theme, Strength in Vulnerability.

Congratulations again to Judah, and thank you to everyone who submitted a concept. We'll be back with more as the campaign takes shape.