Every Journey matters. Whether it’s a Tube ride, a bus ride or the journey you take through life, which is why we pride ourselves in working with brands who also identify with this ideology. 🤝🏾
The Zone 23 collection 👕
Last year, we collaborated with Jordan Brand to create a very exclusive collection. 😍
The Zone 23 collection celebrates young people in London who are paving the way towards their journey to greatness. There isn’t a milestone achieved that is too small, thus there isn’t a blueprint or path to success. The collection name pays homage to the number 23 that Michael Jordan wore on his jersey and both the age (23) and phrase have long been associated with the year of success to young people. ‘It’s my Jordan year’. 🙌🏾
Featuring the roundel on a range of hoodies and t-shirts, this collection uses TfL’s famous imagery to represent London culture and show how integral TfL is to the city.
How TfL is supporting young people
We are constantly working towards promoting equality through opportunities, specifically catered to those who are less advantaged due to their economic or cultural backgrounds.
A communications internship was set up in 2006, and after the passing of Stuart Ross in 2016, it became the Stuart Ross Communications Internship. This scheme helps ethnic minorities learn the essential skills needed to pursue a career within the public relations, public affairs or marketing industries. It works to break down the barriers and provide ethnic minorities opportunities that they traditionally have limited access to. In its core, the scheme embraces diversity, inclusion and representation.
To celebrate this incredible brand collaboration with Jordan, we spoke to our 2022 cohort to hear about their stories and journeys towards greatness. 👇🏾
Fabio Adow
The journey to greatness to me is discovering what that northern star is to you and working your path to that destination. 🌟
It’s one that requires focus, discipline, consistency and dedication. It’s a path that requires sacrifice. Greatness to me is becoming 1% better each time. I believe heavily in the Japanese concept of Kaizen. A philosophy that requires one to improve oneself every single day. I believe making small incremental changes is like a puzzle and once complete – you see the bigger picture. 🎨
This internship has shown me the importance of communicating to the most important people. In the context of TfL, these would be our stakeholders – they are the most interested in what we do. They are the millions of Londoners TfL serves, the thousands of employees, government bodies and businesses. Ensuring clear and concise communications is received by the right people is imperative to ensure satisfaction and efficiency. It has also reminded me that people don’t know what you’re thinking, it’s in our hands to ensure we clearly and concisely communicate to the most important people on our lives. Furthermore, I have learned that building and nurturing genuine relationships is what PR is about. Helping deliver value in an empathetic and understanding way.
Semilore Orekoya
Growing up, I never viewed my skin colour as a barrier to success. My blackness and culture were celebrated and embraced. The first time I walked into a room and felt like I did not belong was at university as I was one of seven Black people on my criminology and forensic science course. It was a new experience for me as it gave me the awareness of what my family and other Black people had to overcome. I had to work twice as hard as my white counterparts to be heard and chosen for certain opportunities.
To progress on my journey to greatness, I had to reject the idea of been given the privilege of going to university and rather acknowledge that my tenacity and hard work placed me there. Despite not feeling like I was good enough, I’m proud to say my Blackness has opened doors for me. I have had the opportunity to go to the house of parliament where I was able to present a campaign. And I have been lucky enough to be in spaces with Michelle Obama. 🤓
This internship has given me endless opportunities to grow as an individual. I have been in rooms I never thought I would’ve entered 5 years ago. I have had the chance to network with inspiring Black professionals, and this internship has shown me that there are no limitations to my success, the world is mine for the taking. 🤚🏾
Esther Djimo
I’m Congolese, born and raised in London, state school educated, managing to achieve great GCSEs, A levels and a BSc degree in Sociology. 🎓
Growing up in London is character developing. Being a Black person, as well as a woman, society places things to limit your success. Navigating the world and careers isn’t easy and breaking through the glass ceiling is extremely difficult. This is also known as double jeopardy. Despite this, you have choices to make. Will you become another statistic or rise above?
I’m grateful for the opportunity that this internship has granted me. It has enabled me to come out of my comfort zone. This is something new to me and I’m learning every day. Whether it is coming out of that imposter syndrome, to taking this opportunity with open arms and embracing this journey to greatness. It’s all the little milestones you take towards bettering yourself. Something that is measurable to you as you rule your own reality.
This internship has taught me to not be afraid to ask questions, no matter how silly you might think it is. To not be too hard on yourself as you adapt and learn new things. It has also inspired me, by seeing people who look like me in large organisations and high places as it confirms that you don’t only make it out the ends through sports or music. ⚽ 🎤
What this collaboration means to TfL’s young people
To us, this collaboration acknowledges young people of London. It’s the embodiment of the journeys we go through on a day-to-day basis. It’s something we can identify with, that unifies our experience. Yet at the same time, it also reminds us of how unique those journeys are. We may not all walk the same path or be on the same speed. But we are all, at this very moment on the same journey to greatness. 🙌🏾
This collection gives us the opportunity to illustrate that. We are proud to wear it. This is a brand that we’ve grown up with and love. From tracksuits to trainers. It’s literally entrenched in London culture. This is our culture.
Find out more
If you’re interested in the internship, the application for the Stuart Ross Internship 2023 is now live.
For more details about brand licensing, head to our webpage.