I AM Mo Jannah

How would describe your cultural background?

I would define my cultural background, first and foremost as a member of the human race, that’s a connecting factor. I think it's important to start from the root. My heritage is African, but I would say, since myself and my family were born in Britain and have a long history here, as well as other parts of the world, I would say I am a global citizen.

Cynefin, is the Welsh word to describe, belonging. Do you feel a sense of belonging in Wales? 

Yeah, but I’m a werido, I feel a sense of belonging and ease wherever I go. One thing I tend not to do is jump into teams. I think sometimes, it can be counterproductive, but I do have a recognition of people’s nuances.

What challenges you?

Myself; I give myself the biggest challenges. Usually the biggest challenge, is in knowing yourself. Understanding, how to be, and how to identify your God given talent and then present that to the world. The way I see it, there are roughly 7 billion people on the planet, and we have all been given skills and talents that are unique, it is our job to know to express them to the world, to give back. But to get to that point, knowing yourself is important, as it is about uncluttering yourself from past traumas and other people’s energies, so it is important to empty yourself which can be challenging and as a big-hearted person. Because you must make some really difficult decisions, and build boundaries, which can sound selfish, but it is necessary to move forward. 

Who has inspired you? 

I would say that my early inspiration came from my dad, he was a very beautiful individual, you don’t see it when you're young, but as you get older, you learn to appreciate the things your parents go through. I look back at the way he applied himself, he was a man of the people and was a very studious as he was always reading. He had to deal with as my mother, has bad mental health, which was very erratic at times, but he remained a family man. 

I think inspiration should start in the home, but that is not always possible.  I think I have inherited my love for reading from my dad. I love learning from people who have had an impact on the world, those with less wealth and great virtues tend to be the ones people remember, so I try to learn from reading about those type of people. 

 How did you get into the Tv industry?

It is bizarre because I never had any idea of being in the TV industry, I really didn’t think that that world was accessible to me. When I was younger I had too many issues to concentrate on what I wanted to be. But it is funny, because I would watch TV and think I can do that, but not think I am going to do that, but I remember other people saw it in me. I believe that some things are meant to be. I remember speaking to a friend from school, who reminded me on some of the things I would do at school and that’s the thing, the world, circumstance, or situations, can take you away from who you really are, your true nature. So, I had to go on a bit of a journey, and when others saw it, people within the TV industry, approached me. I began to let go of any anxiety and got into flow. I am an extra – ordinary person and have developed a lot of projects that help people, such as tackling homelessness, supporting single mothers and ex-prisoners, up and down the country. 

I have also done international projects, taking young people to African, doing things like setting up a library.

As I said I am a bit of a weirdo, I say that because I bought an ambulance, how weird is that? I went to an auction by myself which is not a good idea. And whilst driving around in this ambulance, I guess it added to the mystic as well as my commitment to other people, as I would use it to help people. My first programme was called, Mo’s World, I would connect the dots for people, using the large network I have available to me. TV is all about stories, and I guess I have been training for the past 15 years, gathering stories.

Only 8% of the BBC staff represent the global majority

"Representation Matters!"

 Do you think representation within the media matters?

Yes, representation is immensely important, I remember only really seeing Trevor McDonald. It is important to think about what representation means, to me it means empowerment. When you see someone with the similar background it is empowering, and I am all for that. And we need to use all of what we have to help others. 

I have had, many young people come and visit the BBC building, I send job vacancies to people, give advice, and try to share the knowledge. Not everyone wants to be on TV, some may want to be on the creative team, so it is important that we open the door for others. I am truly humbled by the people who approach me and tell me they are proud of me. You must have a certain type of disposition, because I remember a time when I felt intimidated by the massive responsibility that I hold in terms of others looking up to me. So, it is important that I have an openness about me, because ultimately shutting down disempowers others.

If you could be a part of any TV programme, present or past, which would it be and why?

I have a real passion for becoming the next David Attenborough, it is bizarre. I think it is because everyone loves his style of reporting. He has a very commanding voice, which is engaging, I think the interest in him, shows the theatrical part of who I am. I think the other reason I like the idea of being a David Attenborough type, is because it breaks misconceptions. 

Can you see yourself ever becoming an actor? 

Well, in the past, I would have said no. But I think if I am telling a story then, I am open to it, because it is something within something. I learnt to understand what an actor was and realised it is a role, so taking the pretentiousness out of it, ultimately it is just a role, which I tend to do behind the camera, so yes, I would be open to acting. 

What is the best part of working for the BBC?

I would say, meeting people, championing people, being creative and making things happen.

"When the lights are on, we can't see the stars".

If you could change one thing in society, what would it be?

I would give us more breathing space. When the lights are on, we can’t see the stars, I feel like we are living in a fishbowl, many of us, live in the inner city and don’t feel connected to nature, which is a big part of our nature. We restrict ourselves, from seeing the cycle of nature and to fail to be rooted in the natural process of life. Instead, we live within man made processes. 

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into the TV industry? 

If it is your calling, be it! Be your calling. Try to find ways to realise the vision you have in your mind, because only you can see them. Don’t be afraid to share and be yourself, the more you are authentically you, the more you will create your uniqueness, which allows you to stand out from everyone else. I think if I had started this experience when I was younger, I would have conformed to the expectations of others. Instead of just being me! 

You can watch Mo, on the next series of X-Ray on BBC 1 Wales, coming in September. Or you can catch episodes on BBC 1 I-player.