Nicolas-Tyrell Scott is a London-based music and culture journalist and speaker whose work has been published by 

, Apple Music, and more. As a speaker, he’s been featured on the BBC, Channel 4, Wray and Nephew's YouTube, The Grapevine TV, No Signal, and the 

 podcast, and he has spoken at Soho House. In music, he has crafted assets for Mahalia, Adekunle Gold, Bru-C, and others and has an informed view on music that spans hip-hop, R&B, and emergent genres like drill, future sounds, and afro-swing. He's always sure to tie lineages to each before framing their futures.

In the face of economic crises, climate anxieties, and global wars, people are seeking solace through connection. They want to be sure someone will hold their hand in the face of hardship. As a result, they have higher expectations of care and understanding from interactions with brands, social systems, and people. Many no longer see emotional intelligence as a pleasant add-on – it has become a default expectation.

If Pantone's colour of the year for 2024 is anything to go by – Peach Fuzz, a hue that 'echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection' – it's that community and understanding are increasingly valued as a bedrock of resilience in building a more empathetic and interconnected society. As the loneliness pandemic spreads across the globe, people are prioritising companionship. What's more, they aren't afraid to turn to technology to fill the void, engaging with AI chatbots for emotional gratification as much as practical services. AI promises the rise of artificial empathy and an overhaul of care structures, including elderly care and parenting – and people are ready to embrace it to mitigate the ongoing crisis.

As social media has simultaneously boosted emotional honesty and knocked self-esteem, mental health issues are on the rise and support systems need reinforcement. More than 70% of Americans feel failed by the healthcare system, and in the UK, the NHS waitlist rose to a record 7.75 million in late 2023. With countries like the UK and France raising retirement ages, the demand for long-term care has increased, prompting people to seek alternative solutions – from telemedicine to community-based care programs – to address the pressing care crisis. The very notion of care is in flux. In this context, people are turning to brands and public figures for a helping hand, from BetterHelp and Gymshark offering free care to those that need it to Megan thee Stallion and Olivia Rodrigo using their platforms to democratise access to care for marginalised communities.

Everyday Empathy

Diverse representation is an expectation, but as individuals no longer allow themselves to be defined in singular terms, there's mounting pressure on brands to understand and sensitively reflect how the intersections between race, gender, class, and ability impact people's everyday lives.

Collective Equity

Tobi Kyeremateng is a BAFTA-winning film and TV producer from South London. Working in both narrative and documentary across film and television, she has produced work internationally for renowned broadcasters and media, including BBC, BFI, Channel 4, Film 4, Netflix, NOWNESS, and Sky Arts, including the comedy-drama series 

 which won Best Short Form Programme at the 2023 BAFTA Television Awards.

Tobi was featured in 

 30 Under 30 Europe 2022 list and received the Netflix New Talent Award at the 2023 Women In Film & TV Awards.

Tobi is currently an associate producer on a feature film with Element Pictures and BBC Film.

Adjani Salmon is an award-winning writer and director from Jamaica. His graduation film, 

, screened at numerous film festivals internationally, including Cannes, Blackstar, and the Montreal World Film Festival. He is also the writer, producer, and lead actor for Dreaming Whilst Black.

Gen Y (born 1982-1996)

Gen Z (born 1997-2010)

United Kingdom

Media and Entertainment

Live broadcasts and events

The Garrick Theatre

The New York Times

Royal Court Theatre

Official Theatre London

Olivier Awards

Attitude

University of Cambridge

The Guardian

Interview with Adjani Salmon conducted by the author

Independent

Radio Times

The Stage

Interview with Tobi Kyeremateng conducted by the author

Arts Professional

Alt Africa

King’s College London

Writers Guild

 theatre production challenges stereotypes of the Black British experience. Arriving amid concerns about media stereotypes of Black people, its significance lies in its nuanced contribution to discussions on Black manhood, mental health, and survival in contemporary Britain.