James Stevens, who hails from the Black Country, fronts the band The Empty Can and had a viral hit on social media with his anthem I Vow To Thee Black Country.  James` band are familiar features on the performance network around the Black Country but when COVID-19 hit it meant that the Black Country (like the rest of the UK) went into lockdown.  James realised that there were serious challenges with COVID-19 but the possibilities were just as great.     "As a musician", he said, "I  knew that creativity and culture were vital to health and well-being, children, young people and strengthening partnerships within the Black Country community to improve the lives of local people."    James responded by championing the creative activities of every person in every town of the Black Country by setting up a digital platform called Black Country Lockdown Open Mic which attracted over 2,000 members within 3 weeks and allows all people to express and develop their creativity with more opportunities to enjoy the widest possible range of Black Country culture.     "At a time when social distancing is enforced," James said,  "every person can connect , come together and enjoy the arts and all from the safety of their own homes in isolation.  Every person is given a chance to transform their community through this platform in lockdown.  A whole community can come together while staying apart."    What James has done voluntarily and by putting other people before himself:   (1) Dissolved the barriers and boundaries between communities - everyone has come together on social media;   (2) Moved from public spaces to digitalisation - free entertainment for everybody irrespective of disposable income.   (3) Improved accessibility to the arts - no longer a problem for people with disabilities, single parents or on low income.   (4) Improved mental health and well-being - messages of connection for people in isolation during the National Emergency.   (5) Participation and empowerment for all within the community that expresses a collective response to lockdown.   (6) Providing a platform for diversity and inclusivity as a cultural asset.   (7) Allows communities to converse and collaborate freely across geographical space during lockdown.     James` bold vision, it`s trajectory from public spaces onto social media, the collective creativity of all it`s participants, the local partnerships that brought it to life free of charge all combine to make him an Unsung Hero.  "Everyone can enjoy and celebrate Black Country culture during the lockdown", he said.    "It`s a significant and evolutionary change brought on by social distancing to alleviate loneliness and provide positive mental health.  It`s also a lot of fun!"