Aneela McKenna is a Scots Asian diversity pioneer who has tackled racism and discrimination in her own life with the help of mountain biking. Her recent documentary After the Storm invites viewers and the cycling world to open their hearts and minds to how racial discrimination feels and to be the best, most enriched version of themselves.
The same passion is infused throughout her whole life – Aneela’s a mountain bike guide and coach, mentor, community advocate, diversity & inclusion expert and business woman whose entire life is dedicated to making society and the outdoors a more inclusive space. For 20+ years, she has worked in a variety of public and private sector diversity and inclusion roles. Her time is split between her Diversity and Inclusion consultancy, Mòr Diversity – supporting cycling and outdoors organisations and brands with their D&I policies and strategy, diversity training, workshops, audits and reviews, and, Ride Mòr, her organisation which aims to amplify marginalised voices and increase participation in cycling. She also runs a multi award-winning cycling experience business with her partner in Scotland.
The importance placed on diversity and inclusion within the UK cycling and mountain biking scene is something Aneela’s optimistic about. She was recently appointed as Chair of British Cycling’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group. Her passion and commitment has been publicly recognised: notably receiving the ‘Most Outstanding Human’ Award at the Singletrack Magazine Readers Awards 2021 and ‘Local Hero of the Year’ for her services to widening participation in cycling at the Scottish Mountain Biking Awards in 2019.
Each and every one of us sees the world through a different lens. Our world view is often defined by our intersectional lived experiences, such as our gender, racial identities, disability, sexuality and social and economic environment. This is what shapes how we see and experience the world.
Colour the Trails is proud to announce a VIMFF panel discussion on “Diversity In Storytelling”. We want filmmakers to begin to deeply reflect on what inclusive storytelling looks like while partnering up with diverse communities in a way that is not tokenistic but rather uplifting, building trust and a network of support. While it’s important to have diverse stories and subjects, it’s also important to look at who is behind the lens.
Join Colour the Trails and leading athletes and filmmakers as they discuss how we can develop a more inclusive outdoor storytelling industry. How do we look at the world through a different lens, and tell that story in a sensitive and authentic way?
