DJ, presenter and Radio Host Ellie Prohan joins the Rio Ferdinand Foundation as a new Ambassador.
Today, the Rio Ferdinand Foundation announced that the talented Ellie Prohan has joined the Foundation as a music ambassador. The DJ, Presenter, and Kiss Radio host shared her experience of her unconventional route into the industry and her ambitions to amplify opportunities for young people.
Ellie's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. Having immigrated to the UK from Iran at a young age, she has carved her name in the industry as a DJ, Presenter, and Radio Host. Her story is one of transformation, from a passionate music lover to a respected figure in the music industry.
In an interview with Rio Ferdinand, she shared her experience of making a career 360, a decision that eventually led her to the music industry.
“I started to hone into myself and what I enjoy as a person, and then naturally making those decisions for myself and exploring myself led to this opportunity and opened the doors to music.
”Once I stepped into that, I realised there were so many different things you can do in music, but growing up in a strong Persian household, it would never be acceptable at 18 for me.”
It is having grown up in a single-parent family on a council estate in West London. Ellie advocates marginalized communities and looks forward to supporting the Rio Ferdinand Foundation to give young people safe spaces that challenge their limiting beliefs and empower social mobility.
“I am so excited because I get to do a Benjamin Button and go backwards to help young people go forwards.
The most vital thing ever is that self-belief, and you just need that one person to believe in you if you don’t have that already ingrained in you, and that’s where we come in.
I am so gassed about being involved and can’t wait to get on the road and help shape the Foundation’s future.”
As the host, of KISS Hype Chart, Kisstory and Kiss Specialist show focused on the best of Drill and UK Rap, Ellie is looking forward to mobilising youth culture and helping young people continue their journey.
“The Rio Ferdinand Foundation gives young people hope; it gives them the safe space to challenge their limiting beliefs that they have taught themselves or that life may have taught them and shows them that they can be what they want to be safely and healthily.
”I firmly believe growth happens on the border of support and challenge.”
Rio Ferdinand, Founder of the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, is delighted to welcome Ellie on board commenting:
“Young people need role models, and with the support of ambassadors like Ellie, we can tackle generational inequalities, empower young people to recognise their skills, and give them ownership of achieving their goals.
When a young person can hear, tune into, and see someone from a place similar to theirs who looks like them, knows people like them, and is doing great things, that’s when they engage and connect.”
Ellie joins the ranks of Sello, Joel Beya, Patrick Hutchinson, and Colin Salmon, an international network of ambassadors committed to rebalancing equality, empowering young people, and delivering positive social change. A network that, through their lived experiences, can inspire and activate young people's passion to pursue their aspirations.
Today's announcement follows a year of partnership activations with Kiss and Warner Music UK and Ireland, which has seen Ellie lead panel discussions at Into the Industry events in Wolverhampton, a Warner Bros Pictures 'Into the Film Industry' session in London, and host interviews launch Foundation partnerships with the Jockey Club and most recently Festival Republic.
“Having worked with Ellie for over a year now I have seen her enthusiasm, empathy, and ability to engage with young people first hand in several settings. I am proud that Ellie has formalised her relationship with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, and I am looking forward to great things in the future. Welcome on-board Ellie.”