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AKANJI
Production and project Management
Akanji Studios
Brand Activation and Exhibition Production
Overview
The Challenge
Approach
Living with sickle cell disease often means navigating an invisible illness that remains misunderstood, underrepresented and overlooked. For Rizzy, founder of Akanji Studios, art had become a way to make these experiences visible, transforming personal narratives of pain into powerful creative expressions. But raising awareness through art was only the beginning. How could he take this work beyond the canvas to build meaningful connections with communities and drive lasting change?
In January 2024, Rizzy approached ourppls with a vision to deepen the impact of his work. Having spent the previous year creating and selling artwork to raise awareness of sickle cell disease, he wanted to move beyond individual pieces of art and create opportunities for dialogue, connection and community engagement. The challenge was to turn his creative practice into a tangible advocacy platform, bringing people together around an illness that too often goes unseen.
Following an initial consultation, ourppls identified an exhibition as an opportunity to bring this vision to life. We provided end-to-end creative and strategic support, helping transform Akanji Studios from an artistic concept into a platform for public engagement. From sourcing a venue and curating and producing the exhibition to developing marketing materials and programming a panel discussion, we built an experience that connected art, lived experience and health advocacy.
Beyond the exhibition itself, we helped Rizzy secure over £2,000 in funding to cover production costs and established a pivotal partnership with the NHS Blood and Transplant team, creating an ongoing pathway for their work to reach wider audiences and sustain engagement.
The work
The inaugural Akanji Studios exhibition transformed a three-day showcase into a space for connection, storytelling and action. Bringing together people living with sickle cell, creatives, charities and health advocates, the programme created opportunities to share lived experiences, challenge misconceptions and build community around an often misunderstood condition.
The launch night featured a panel discussion led by people with lived experience from diverse backgrounds, alongside a screening of Why Me? by Nikki Fagbemi. We also welcomed two charitable organisations advancing sickle cell advocacy, creating space for collaboration across the sector.
In partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant, we delivered a 'What's Your Blood Type?' activation, connecting conversations around sickle cell with the importance of blood donation and encouraging attendees to take meaningful action.
Across three days, the exhibition welcomed over 300 guests, creating a platform for lived experiences to be heard and community connections to be formed. The 'What's Your Blood Type?' activation welcomed 64 new blood donors and facilitated 18 additional donation appointments on site, translating engagement into tangible action.
Beyond the event, ourppls supported Rizzy in securing over £2,000 in funding to cover production costs and established a pivotal partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant. This relationship went on to unlock almost three years of funding, helping sustain the initiative and extend its reach. Since then, the work has grown to encompass more than 30 exhibitions.
What began as an artist's ambition to do more with his work became a growing platform for advocacy, demonstrating how creativity, community engagement and strategic partnerships can turn awareness into action.
The Impact
300+
Guests welcomed
64
New blood donors
18
Appointments booked
£2,000+
Funding generated
