IIn the competitive landscape of digital media, Nigerian-born Francis Mobodo brings a unique perspective that emphasizes resilience, community support, and the power of collaboration. As a graduate in Digital Media Communication from a university in Middlesbrough, Francis shares insights on navigating professional challenges while building connections within the Black community.
The Journey Through Digital Media Education
Francis describes digital media communication as a “vast discipline” encompassing cultural journalism, media branding, public relations, and digital marketing. His education focused on the evolution from traditional communication methods to contemporary digital platforms, with particular emphasis on the expanding role of social media in shaping modern discourse.
For nearly two years, Francis has been immersed in this field, developing expertise across its various dimensions while adapting to life in Northeast England. His academic journey represents not just the pursuit of knowledge but a bridge between cultures and communication styles.
Balancing Act: The Student-Worker Experience
Like many international students, Francis faced significant challenges balancing academic responsibilities with practical necessities. “Imagine you work, you study, it could be a bit of headache,” he reflects, highlighting the time constraints that define the immigrant student experience.
The delicate juggling act between coursework deadlines and employment within government-regulated working hours created constant pressure. “You have to study. You need to get yourself working within the same government hours of you as a student to work, to pay your bills,” he explains, encapsulating the practical difficulties many international students encounter.
Middlesbrough is actually a place where Blacks come together and there’s this unification which gives you hope,
Despite these challenges, Francis found strength in community connections. “Middlesbrough is actually a place where Blacks come together and there’s this unification which gives you hope,” he shares. This sense of belonging provides crucial emotional support for international students and professionals far from home.
While acknowledging that locals sometimes offer “that listening ear,” Francis emphasizes that the bond within the Black community carries special significance. These connections help navigate not just practical matters but the cultural transitions that accompany international relocation.
The Middlesbrough Advantage
Francis identifies several aspects of life in Middlesbrough that he particularly appreciates:
- Affordable transportation with fixed costs and straightforward fare structures
- Ease of navigation with clear mapping and accessible public transit
- A welcoming atmosphere in workplaces and social settings
These factors combine to create an environment where newcomers can establish themselves and focus on their professional development without excessive logistical complications.
When discussing professional opportunities for Black individuals in digital media, Francis adopts a philosophical stance: “The opportunities are there… all you need do is just search.” His perspective demonstrates the resilience characteristic of immigrant professionals who understand that persistence often precedes opportunity.
He highlights the breadth of the digital media field as an advantage, noting that specializations like journalism, public relations, and other media disciplines offer multiple pathways for career development. This diversity of options provides flexibility for professionals to find their niche based on their specific talents and interests.
The Spirit of Tenacity and Power of Strategy
Perhaps the most powerful insight Francis offers comes when reflecting on the broader Black experience in professional settings: “As a Black person, I must say we have this tenacity. We don’t give up. Even when you don’t look or when the opportunity for what your dream jobs are, we tend to look for something to keep you going.”
This spirit of persistence, of finding interim solutions while pursuing longer-term goals, represents a core strength Francis identifies within the Black professional community. It’s an approach born of necessity but transformed into a virtue—a refusal to be defined or limited by immediate circumstances.
Francis enthusiastically mentions “Sticks and Stone,” a media organization focused on amplifying Black voices, as an example of the collaborative platforms needed within the community. He emphasizes repeatedly that individual efforts, while valuable, cannot achieve the impact of coordinated action.
“It does not make a forest,” he explains, using a vivid metaphor to illustrate the limitations of isolated effort. “But when we synergize, when we come together, when we bring our teams and expertise together, then we can do a formidable impact in our world for the future of our generation.”
This call for collective action reflects an understanding of both the challenges facing the Black community and the potential power of its combined talents. Francis recognizes that cultural background often means many people rely on an individual’s success, creating pressure that can be better managed through community support and collaboration.
A Platform for Potential
Throughout his reflections, Francis returns to the theme of untapped potential within the Black community: “There are a lot of potential lying in between us. But the platform is what we’re looking for. The opportunity is what we’re yearning for.”
His vision extends beyond personal success to the creation of structures that enable broader community advancement. “We all need a voice. We all need a shoulder to fall on. We all need to be heard,” he states, emphasizing that recognition and opportunity are fundamental needs for every professional.
The desire to “exercise my skills” and “showcase my skills” while being fairly compensated represents not just personal ambition but the universal human need for meaningful work and appropriate recognition.
Looking Forward
Francis’s perspective on the digital media landscape combines pragmatism about current challenges with optimism about future possibilities. His emphasis on community support, collaborative approaches, and persistent effort offers valuable guidance for anyone navigating similar professional journeys.
As he succinctly states regarding the purpose of platforms like TBX channel: “To put smile on people’s faces. To give hope when there is no hope. To be joy to those who need joy and to be a voice for the voiceless.”
In a field defined by communication, Francis Mobodo demonstrates that sometimes the most important messages are those of resilience, community, and the determination to create opportunity where it might not readily appear.
