UD Music and East London Dance have come together to launch Talent House, the creative hub designed to equip young artists, podcasters, DJs, producers and dancers with a wealth of resources to advance their skillset. Based in Stratford, they offer free and affordable access to facilities alongside personal development and skills programmes. Not only will this boost the confidence of young creatives, but it will also assist them in building a fruitful career path from the ground up.

UD Music is an organisation geared toward supporting Black and culturally diverse artists by creating pathways into the music industry. In the past they've extended their support towards artists like Little Simz, Skepta, Wretch 32, Maverick Sabre, and Ghetts, to name a few, and now that they've connected with East London Dance to launch Talent House, their operations have expanded dramatically to offer professional development and qualifications as well as high-end equipment and resources.

R&B songstress Ray BLK has also been announced as the organisation's first ambassador and says: "Being an Ambassador for UD is an absolute honour. It's a pleasure to be a part of the amazing work the organisation does for young people. I've performed before with The Flames Collective and so I know how UD supports young Black musicians and helps develop their incredible gifts. The Talent House is going to be huge for East London, and the state-of-the-art facilities that people will have access to will be a game-changer for them. It's an exciting time for Black music and I know that with the commitment and passion from the team at UD, the Talent House is going to play a big role in creating opportunities and connections for young people and I'm so proud to be a part of it."

Pamela McCormick, founder and CEO of UD, also said: "Over the last 20+ years, UD has seen the potential for excellence in every young person we've encountered. Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. We know that the specific training needs demanded of Black music are not met by music education; there is a lack of strategic talent development in Black music, with many artists unable to achieve sustainable careers without subsidised intervention; and, whilst Black music has never been more commercially successful in the UK, only a small percentage of the workforce is from communities experiencing racial inequality or barriers to social mobility. As we move into the Talent House, we are poised to realise the potential that this new state-of-the-art resource can bring to transforming the lives of young people, challenging the outdated traditions of music education, and diversifying the face of the music industry."

Sadiq Khan and Talent House board members officially opened the site and connected with some young people who are hoping to benefit from the organisation. Backed by the Arts Council and Greater London Authority, this community-led space is one step in the right direction for young creatives in the capital.