Karina MODERATES TALKS, WRITES ARTICLES AND delivers keynoteS ON A RANGE OF TOPICS RELATING TO REPRESENTATION IN THE ARTS, culture AND EDUCATION.

recent speaking engagements

30 March 2022

Sussex Festival of Ideas
Black at Sussex: Environment, Curating, Archiving
Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, University of Sussex

Bringing together Sussex alumni and academics this conversation will reflect upon their work as activists, curators and archivists in order to explore Black British experiences of access to the countryside, cultural curation and the archiving of history, three key contemporary issues. Highlighting what change might look like in each of these areas, the discussion will be led by the cultural curator Karina H Maynard who will be joined by: Gilane Tawadros, curator
Nathan Richards, digital historian
Sam Sivapragasm, environmental activist with Land in Our Names
Jenni Lewin-Turner, international creative producer

9 february 2022

Black at Sussex: Celebrating Len Garrison
Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, University of Sussex

Part of the University of Sussex 60th anniversary celebrations, this event is the first in a series that will celebrate the cultural contributions and achievements of black alumni from University of Sussex, and explore the experiences of black students at the university. Conversations will be led by Chair Karina H Maynard with guest speakers: Marie Garrison (Len’s widow), internationally revered photographers Charlie Phillips and Eddie Otchere, University of Sussex students and academics Gavin Mensah-Coker and Professor Martin Evans from the School of Media, Arts and Humanities.

7 December 2021

Inspire Keynote with Karina H Maynard
‘Exploring the role of arts educators in improving cultural representation’
UAL Awarding Body

Considering the key question of ‘How are visionary creatives uniquely positioned to help create a better society?’, Karina will deliver an uplifting presentation that explores the responsibility and opportunity for arts educators to develop skills that are paramount to improving the representation, engagement and experience of diverse students.

17 july 2021 moderator

Black Lens Film Festival 2021: Emergent Strand + Workshop
In partnership with Netflix UK

A short film programme with fiction and non-fiction work from emerging black artists taking place at Catford Mews. Part of the Black Cultural Archives Black Lens Film Festival #BLFF2021 Curated by Alt Africa

29 June 2021 Keynote Speaker

Talking Dance: Improving Racial Equity

Symposium by partnering dance teaching organisations: Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA), BBODance and Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) in partnership with TIRED Movement. Funded by the Arts Council.

9 April 2021 guest speaker

Artists 4 Artists presents Daniel Bailey:
The significance of dance in African culture and history, and how it will mutate in this digital age

Conversation with filmmaker Daniel Bailey about his film ‘Black Exodus’, a Digital Seed Fund Commission by Artists 4 Artists

31 March 2021 facilitator

Holding Space
For Black and Brown people affected by today’s publishing of the Sewell Report

Community event co-facilitated by Jess Mally, Louis Howell and Karina H Maynard

11 July 2020 Host

Windows of Displacement

Online viewing of the Windows of Displacement dance theatre production and post show talk with the choreographer/performer Akeim Toussaint Buck. Event hosted by Artistry Youth Dance and Akomaasa Arts.

8 july 2020 Speaker

Take Air II
Finding empowering ways for Black artists, influencers and facilitators to heal collective trauma within our community

A community event to support Black community leaders during the traumatic events of 2020. Featuring speakers Chia Phoenix and Karina H Maynard in collaboration with Jess Mally, Andre Bright (Become Immersive), Cherrelle Skeete (Blacktress UK) and The Palace of the Dogs Collective.

9 June 2020 speaker

Take Air I
Finding empowering ways for Black artists, influencers and facilitators to heal collective trauma within our community

In response to the traumatic racial climate of 2020, an event hosted by Jess Mally with creative and speaking contributions from The Palace of the Dogs, Cherrelle Skeete (Blacktress UK), Andre Bright (Become Immersive) and Karina H Maynard.

19 june 2019 Featured speaker

Curator’s Talk: Karina H Maynard
Musée national de l’histoire de l’immigration in Paris

Karina H Maynard interviewed by Professor Martin Evans about the curation of her Real Sounds of London Festival cultural programme for the ‘Paris-Londres: Music Migrations (1962-1989)’ exhibition.

11 november 2018 speaker

CineCity: Horace Ové’s Reggae (1971)

Attenborough Centre screening of Ove’s film Reggae, introduced by Kelly Foster in conversation with Mykael Riley followed by a roundtable discussion with Karina H Maynard, artist and playwrite Michael McMillan and writer John Masouri. Organised by Professor Martin Evans (University of Sussex) for the Resistance Studies Network and the Centre for Photography and Visual Cultures.

July 2018 chair

Inspired leadership in the 21st century
British Museum Mandela 100 centenary programme

Screening of Karina H Maynard film ‘Inspired leadership in the 21st century’ featuring: Cobbie Yates, Lola Jaye, Derek Taylor, Ibilola Femiola, Femi Aseru, Wumi Olasebikan and Corrine Bougaard. Post film talk chaired by Karina in conversation with the featured artists.

Specialist Topics

Karina is a keynote speaker, interviewee or panellist. She is an experienced presenter, moderator and chair for broadcast and live events. 

Karina is adept at contextualising and simplifying themes that emerge at the intersections of identity, representation and creative expression.

She works in the heritage sector, education and the media on initiatives designed to improve representation, decolonise cultural narratives, provide new contextual perspectives in music history and celebrate diverse performing arts legacies.

Karina is passionate about the creative development of young people. She is a board member at the Urdang Academy and consults on the training and experience of young performers in the arts, education and entertainment industry. She facilitates race and cultural workshops for young performers, which helps young people develop their self-esteem, cultural awareness and aspirations that reflect their unique talents for long-term success and personal fulfilment.

As a speaker and moderator, Karina introduces new ways of looking at things and steers conversations that explore arts and culture through the lens of entrepreneurship, social impact and sustainability.

Karina facilitates conversations in a way that makes participants feel at ease and encourages interaction and engagement for constructive, forward-moving conversations. 

Interviews & Editorial

Karina has a background in media and communications. She is known for her in-depth interviews for features and radio broadcasts. Throughout her career, Karina has conducted interviews for publication, radio shows and live events with entertainers, creatives, cultural leaders and innovators.

Karina currently writes for publications on representation in the arts and culture. She is a contributing author for the ‘Paris-Londres: Music Migrations (1962-1989)’ exhibition catalogue.

A music collector, musician and DJ, Karina often covers music and dance with an emphasis on identity, the creative process, sociopolitical influence and cultural context.

Get in touch

To inquire about speaking and writing please get in touch using the contact form