Where to start with Es Devlin? The artist and stage designer has been transforming cultural experiences for decades. Whether she is creating monumental artworks, breath-taking installations, innovative set designs for stage and global popstars, serving as Artistic Director (London Design Biennale), being chosen to represent a nation at a Design Expo (Dubai 2020) or reconsidering the concept of catwalks - Devlin, and her team, are doing it in an epic, exciting, considered and challenging way. We are honoured to trace a path of inspiration with her.

LISTEN to Es in conversation with Pharrell Williams on Chanel Connects

Es selected Sulaiman Khan, a “South Asian disabled wheelchair user adventurer” who is Founder and Chief Purpose Officer of ThisAbility, a disability-led justice business which helps socially conscious organisations focused on sustainability, technology and design.

I first met Sulaiman a few years ago at a design awards ceremony. I actually smelled Sulaiman before I saw him: he wears the most phenomenal fragrance. The next thing I perceived was an aura of iridescent light beans: Sulaiman wears sequins in many forms and on this occasion they were dichroic pearlescent on a bomber jacket. I was walking from the stage having made my speech and Sulaiman grabbed my attention. We became fast friends and have followed one another’s progress ever since.

“His credo is that all of us will become disabled eventually so disabled design thinking is in fact futuristic design thinking.”

Sulaiman runs an exemplary design consultancy called ‘thisability’. His credo is that all of us will become disabled eventually so disabled design thinking is in fact futuristic design thinking. His design approach has massively reshaped my own thinking, but more importantly, his personality, wit, emotional intelligence and joie de vivre have enhanced my life and the lives of everyone he meets.

Sulaiman selected Michael Lutterodt-Quarcoo, the founder of A Tribe Called Progress which aims to connects people to African/Black History.

I have only known Michael for about two years or so, but he has had a profound impact on my life. I first met him at an African diaspora event where he was hosting. From the moment I met him, I was deeply impressed by his engaging hosting skills and have attended several further events where he has done a marvellous job hosting.

Soon after meeting him, he invited me to attend the first lecture series in 2019 of the organisation he founded - A Tribe Called Progress (ATCP). A Tribe Called Progress’ vision is to connect, unite and transform the Black community through progressive actions and allyship. I have been a part of the organisation ever since, and it has been the most enlightening and transformative experience, by the people and content Michael shares. Michael is an inclusive community builder and activist at heart who is working to raise up the Black community by investing in and amplifying leaders to make positive change.

“A Tribe Called Progress’ vision is to connect, unite and transform the Black community through progressive actions and allyship.”

He is the co-host the Grit Podcast too, which tackles the nitty-gritty of life and its biggest questions each week such as race, sex, popular culture, drugs and more. More recently, he has joined an international tech company to lead community partnerships within the African continent.

Through Michael’s podcasts, lectures, organisation, his work ethic, his inclusiveness, his ability to express ideas, his killer dance skills, his sense of humour, and his impact is ongoing and growing on people of all kinds - this is what inspires me about him. Although his focus is on black leaders, his impact is beyond that - I am living proof of him through my respect and admiration of his talents and accomplishments.

Michael proposed his brother Christopher who is an entrepreneur, designer, director, writer, global speaker and lecturer. He is the Director of The ADV_™, an immersive forum that weaponises empathy for societal progress, change, and impact for changemakers.

I have known Christopher for 30 years. I have seen him grow from a young boy into a man who is driven to make an impact on this world. His goal is not to impose his will on the world, but to get individuals and the world to ask questions about its past, present and future. Growing up Christopher was a young man who was quick to learn, from football to basketball he seemed to have a mutant ability to absorb and perform at a top level in the least amount of time.  

He started in Graphic Design, selling custom made tracksuits to people twice his age. He studied Interactive Design at UAL and attended the prestigious Royal College of Arts for his Masters. In his final year most, graduates produce one final piece he produced five. That is his work ethic. 

He is a man who is wise beyond his years. He current focus is the ADV immersive forum – that creates engaging scenarios that turn knowledge into action through interactive experiences. Getting the ADV to this stage has been no mean feat. After learning how to design, physically build and wire bespoke machine interfaces (which took over a year) the Covid-19 lockdown occurred just as the first events were scheduled. He took three days off and transitioned the whole experience online from scratch. 

This is why he is my hero because he keeps pushing even when the odds are against him.

Christopher nominated Mikael Calandra Achode, documentary-maker, art teacher, vinyl crate-digger, and Panafrican label boss!

Who will write about today? My author of choice is Mikael Calandra Achode, quiet and approachable at the same time titan-like in his knowledge and inquisitiveness — this is rarely achieved and even less common with humility.

Africa in music, vernacular culture and lifestyle's presence; on screen, in academia and philosophy deserves more than the treatment it gets today. Mikael is a man on a mission to support the legitimisation of African knowledge and custom, which is a pleasure to watch and a cause to support — using his own platforms: Crudo Volta, Python Syndicate (Independent Label), Taxi Waves (Documentaries), Back in Stock (Podcast).

“Mikael is a man on a mission to support the legitimisation of African knowledge and custom.”

There is something to be said about a person who strives to do this in a time where to be black and brilliant is a threat punishable by even more discreet means. Granted. Ask him a question and you may regret it — you will get the fullest answer possible. Better yet, ask the question and then press record on the nearest device possible get a pad and pen and take notes on how ancient cultural practices inform our innate etiquette in a club, in our language and movement. It's deeper than you think.

Enough about his work, let's talk character…honourable, respectful, steadfast, persistent and ambitious. Without exposing his personal obstacles, there is something to be said about someone who overcomes statistical stereotypes and odds and turns them into positive motivation and wins in the end. I call him a friend, a peer, an example of communal pride and a warrior in pursuit of excellence. He’s got his armoury and I’ve got mine our technique differs but our vision is the same.

Salute to the man, father, lecturer, director, advocate and friend.

Mikael ends this thread with, journalist and creative producer, Chris Adofo.

Chris Adofo is first and foremost a friend. Someone who I respect and in who I can see my values and ideals reflected. Through his music writing and his journalistic practice, centred on the exigency of African representations and imaginations in the United Kingdom and across the diaspora, Chris' work reveals the philology of modern and contemporary African pop music, while addressing the superstructure that binds the different geographies where they manifest. The work offers conversations centred on modern African identity yet differences that haven't been offered a certain explorative read yet.

“Chris' work reveals the philology of modern and contemporary African pop music, while addressing the superstructure that binds the different geographies where they manifest.”

Our generation is possibly the first to exercise a considerable degree of agency in envisioning our perceived identities on a global framework and scale. Nonetheless, the capability to do so has only been made possible by pioneering visionaries and resilient communities which Chris Adofo's work has the ambition to unveil in all the glory.

Discover more contributors to Just Six Degrees such as design curator Paola Antonelli, drag activist Panti Bliss, film-maker Apichatpong Weerasethakul, photographer Juno Calypso, choreographer Miwa Matreyek and podcaster Nicholas Van der Kolk or search according to creative area of interest - design, sculpture, film, photography…