It’d be easy to throw around a load of clichés to sum up the witty writing talent of Femi Martin, but the simple fact is, she’s good. Yet the former music journalist hit a crossroad in her career in 2008, while also falling severely ill, which forced her to re-evaluate her life. Since making positive steps towards recovery, she’s launched a popular blog and recently self-published a book of poems based on her life. All Is Well: Poems and Secrets by Femi Martin is available at alliswellbook.wordpress.com.
Joanna Abeyie
Joanna Abeyie, 22. Hero status: The plucky pioneer
Pictures taken: Food court, Victoria train station, London. Thursday, August 6th 2009
Joanna is a woman on a mission - the MA student and journalist hopes she can raise the aspirations of young ethnic minorities by putting on events which will help them connect with the mainstream media. Her first industry gathering, featured speakers from The Guardian and BBC Magazines - and she’s only getting warmed up, with plans to launch her own company Shine Media.
Adam Knight
Adam Knight, 21. Hero status: The Determinator
Pictures taken: Outside the Outset Centre, Walthamstow, Thursday, April 16th 2009
Adam describes himself as friendly, honest and a funny character - so he'd probably appreciate the humour behind his hero status. But jokes aside, Adam is a driven individual who is also an accomplished musician. Due to his dyslexia, he was unable to follow the traditional means of education but soon found himself on work-related training courses to reach his goals, and under the name NeonKeys, he's recorded his first single on an album compilation. Now, he hopes to go to uni to study music production or drama.
Denise Brown
Denise Brown, 32. Hero status: Bad-girl-turned-good
Pictures taken: The Windmill restaurant, Walthamstow, London. Wednesday, March 25th 2009
Fashion stylist Denise Brown grew up with a mother who was a crack addict before turning to petty crime at the age of 12. After appearing in court for a robbery offence and having a son in her late teens, she decided to turn her life around by pursuing a career in fashion. Since starting her Don't Judge Me label, she has worked with the likes of Rihanna, T.I and Kanye West and now mentors young designers.
Eddie Nestor
Eddie Nestor, 44. Hero status: Cancer survivor
Pictures taken: BBC London studios, London. Monday, March 23rd 2009
Broadcaster, actor and comedian Eddie Nestor was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in February 2007 and had six months of chemotherapy. "It was really, really, really tough," he says, "not knowing whether you're going to live or die."After a successful course of treatment which he blogged about, he admits he's "lucky" and has since maintained his title as one of the most popular shock-jocks on the radio waves. "I try to be as wicked as possible. The more wicked you are, the longer you live, and I aim to live forever."