Black Inclusion Week

Black Inclusion Week – How to get involved
2021-03-18 11:00 - 12:15 (Europe/London) | Online Event
Black Leaders are proud to deliver an online event about our latest venture, Black Inclusion Week (BIW). During this webinar, we will kick start the momentum in a special 50 Day Countdown to Black Inclusion Week, where allies and leaders from the network will be answering important questions such as…
What is Black Inclusion Week?
Why is it important?
How can you get involved?
In addition to keynote speakers, a powerful panel session will take place exploring how we can be the change we wish to see in the world, and what exactly it is we can do to set a course for a more inclusive future.
Black Leaders is a national movement that drives black inclusion and challenges inequalities within our communities and working environment. Please do join us and encourage others to participate too at.

Itinerary

11.00 – 11.05
Simon Hosannah, Client Development Director, Auto Trader UK | Event Introduction

11.05 – 11.15
Cecilia Mutuma-Nwaigbo, Head of HR | What is Black Inclusion Week?

11.15 – 12.00
Panel Session and Q&A – Why is Black Inclusion Week important?

Paul Duhaney | Trustee, Mandela8
Aggie Mutuma | CEO, Mahogany Inclusion Partners
Ife Onwuzulike | Head of Diversity and Inclusion, CBI
Paul Walker | Chief Commercial Officer, Consumer Intelligence

12.00 – 12.10
Jennifer Thomas, Director of Communications – How can you get involved?

12.10 – 12.15
Closing Remarks from Simon Hosannah

About our speakers and Panellists

Simon Hosannah
Simon is a Client Development Director working with automotive manufacturers and their media agencies responsible for strategic relations. He is the key contact for Suzuki and has been at Auto Trader for 5 and a half years. Simon has previously worked in commercial roles in Motoring for the Telegraph Media Group, the Independent Newspaper Group and Haymarket. Simon is also an MC and Sports Announcer specialising in covering basketball in the UK, Europe and US, but has also worked at the 2012 London Olympics and for the FA and Premier League.

Speakers
Jennifer Thomas @jnthomas4
Jennifer Thomas has risen quickly to the top as a corporate communicator, having been talent-spotted for rapid promotion at every company she has worked for. Most recently, Jennifer is transforming the profile and reputation of Direct Line Group (DLG), as Director of Internal Communications, Experience & Sustainability and previously as its Director of Financial Communications. Jennifer is part of the Group’s Strategic Leadership Team, responsible for developing the Group’s internal communications strategy, including employee engagement, the incorporation of the employee value proposition and corporate brand as well developing and executing a new corporate social responsibility strategy. Jennifer was involved in the IPO of RBS orchestrated by DLG and the biggest stock market listing of 2012. Jennifer had a former career as a UK Championships 400m runner and hurdler for England.

Cecilia Mutuma-Nwaigbo
Cecilia has developed and led business aligned people strategies across the entire employee life cycle for established recognisable brands such as Gartner (formerly CEB), PwC, Deloitte, Blue Arrow, Tate Gallery, Argus Media and Accenture.
Cecilia is passionate about Diversity and has delivered successful corporate diversity initiatives from design to effective delivery.
Examples include:

Designing and launching of an innovative Respect & Inclusion and Wellbeing Ambassador role to improve the culture and engagement
Leading Respect & Inclusion partnerships with external mentoring programmes with Diversity organisations such as Women Ahead, BITC and Empower.
Internally raising awareness of mentoring programmes including facilitating safe space focus groups
Collaborating MHFA UK to launch Mental Health First Aiders in the organisation
Creating and launching a calendar of events for the Inclusion Diversity Equality and Advice (IDEA) forum to celebrate diverse cultures, nationalities and diversity groups.
Working on Women in Leadership (WiL) recruitment initiatives
Launching and facilitating Employee Representative Groups

Cecilia is known for her people-centric approach while constructively challenging and coaching business leaders through the change process. She is described as collaborative, commercial, pragmatic and a role model. Cecilia brings passion, energy and resilience to everything she does resulting in consistent exemplary performance which is resulted in her receiving internal accolades and firmwide recognition.

Panellists
Paul Duhaney @DuhaneyPabs
Paul Duhaney – Trustee at Mandela8. Paul has been on the Mandela8 Board since its inception as a charity in 2017. As well as installing a permanent memorial for Nelson Mandela in Liverpool that will function as an outdoor classroom for education, performance, conversation and contemplation, Mandela8 also runs various programmes to support communities in Liverpool and beyond, most notably their My 67 Minutes and Roots and Wings projects.. Paul is also the Artistic Director of Africa Oyé – he UK’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture.

Aggie Mutuma @AggieMutuma
Aggie Mutuma is the founder and Managing Director of Mahogany Inclusion Partners. Aggie is a People Strategy and Inclusion expert who works with leadership teams in organisations to deliver their objectives through an effective, empowering and engaging relationship with their people.
Aggie believes that by creating a culture in which all feel included; with clarity of purpose and a sense of belonging, organisations can meet and exceed the needs of all their stakeholders. Aggie is also passionate about people as individuals; as a Coach and Mentor she enjoys supporting people as they grow in their professional and personal lives.
Aggie’s experience includes SME’s and recognisable large organisations like Arcadia Group, Tesco and McDonalds. Here she has successfully lead people teams in the delivery of effective initiatives which include diversity and inclusion, culture, development and engagement programmes.
Aggie is a certified Master NLP Coach, Fellow of the CIPD, IOD Company Director, Mental Health First Aider, PRINCE2 Project Manager. Her qualifications also include a Master’s in Human Resource Management and a Level 9 Certification in Company Direction from the IOD.
Aggie is passionate about Black Leaders and believes that with a shared purpose, collaboration and persistency, we can all make a positive and lasting change in the UK.

Paul Walker @PaulWalker197
As Chief Commercial Officer of insight agency Consumer Intelligence Paul is partnering with companies to inspire confident decisions that build consumer trust. He is focused on helping clients and people grow as part of trusting, inclusive, autonomous and accountable workplaces. Paul has continued to push for inclusive practices in his career including leadership roles in Turkey, Russia, Switzerland, Ireland, and the UK, through a 25 year career with Global measurement firm, Nielsen

Adeife Onwuzulike
Adeife Onwuzulike is the Head of Diversity and Inclusion at the CBI and a chartered MCIPD Practitioner with an MSc from Kings College London on Human Resources and Organisational Analysis.
She also Chairs the CBI Mental Health Forum, the CBI internal Diversity and Inclusion steering group and the CBI Disability and Neurodiversity forum.
Her role is focused on driving greater diversity and embedding an inclusive culture within all parts of the organisation and she created and implemented the CBI D&I strategy and Race at work action plan.
She works to support CBI members on their D&I journey to ensure best practice is shared and adopted. She also leads on the partners strand for the CBI Change the Race Ratio Campaign, which looks at helping the signatories in their journey to increasing racial and ethnic representation and fostering a more inclusive culture.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Black Inclusion Week 30 day Countdown – What to expect
2021-04-13 10:30 - 11:15
Black Leaders invites you to join us as we countdown to the UK’s first Black Inclusion Week taking place on 10th May to 16th May 2021.

During this virtual event, Sue Liburd MBE, Non-Executive Director at ABSTRACT, Aggie Mutuma, CEO Mahogany Inclusion Partners, Cecilia Mutuma-Nwaigbo Head of HR and Inclusion Director Mahogany Inclusion Partners and Jennifer Thomas Director of Communications take you through:

Black Inclusion Week
Some insights into Black Inclusion in the UK today
How to get involved in Black Inclusion Week
The toolkits available for businesses and individuals
The insightful events and panellists lined up for the week
Some of the organisations taking part in Black Inclusion Week

Sue, Aggie, Cecilia and Jennifer will also be joined by Dawn Morris, Trustee of Mandela8 who will take us through the inspiring My67 minutes campaign in honour of the great Nelson Mandela.
Join the hundreds of individuals and organisations that see our vision; those who are brave and innovative, and those who want to sustain true inclusion in society.
Change starts with you. We ALL play a part, each and everyone of us.

Aggie Mutuma @AggieMutuma
Aggie Mutuma is the founder and Managing Director of Mahogany Inclusion Partners. Aggie is a People Strategy and Inclusion expert who works with leadership teams in organisations to deliver their objectives through an effective, empowering and engaging relationship with their people.
Aggie believes that by creating a culture in which all feel included; with clarity of purpose and a sense of belonging, organisations can meet and exceed the needs of all their stakeholders. Aggie is also passionate about people as individuals; as a Coach and Mentor she enjoys supporting people as they grow in their professional and personal lives.
Aggie’s experience includes SME’s and recognisable large organisations like Arcadia Group, Tesco and McDonalds. Here she has successfully lead people teams in the delivery of effective initiatives which include diversity and inclusion, culture, development and engagement programmes.
Aggie is a certified Master NLP Coach, Fellow of the CIPD, IOD Company Director, Mental Health First Aider, PRINCE2 Project Manager. Her qualifications also include a Master’s in Human Resource Management and a Level 9 Certification in Company Direction from the IOD.
Aggie is passionate about Black Leaders and believes that with a shared purpose, collaboration and persistency, we can all make a positive and lasting change in the UK.

Cecilia Mutuma-Nwaigbo
Cecilia has developed and led business aligned people strategies across the entire employee life cycle for established recognisable brands such as Gartner (formerly CEB), PwC, Deloitte, Blue Arrow, Tate Gallery, Argus Media and Accenture.
Cecilia is passionate about Diversity and has delivered successful corporate diversity initiatives from design to effective delivery.
Examples include:

Designing and launching of an innovative Respect & Inclusion and Wellbeing Ambassador role to improve the culture and engagement
Leading Respect & Inclusion partnerships with external mentoring programmes with Diversity organisations such as Women Ahead, BITC and Empower.
Internally raising awareness of mentoring programmes including facilitating safe space focus groups
Collaborating MHFA UK to launch Mental Health First Aiders in the organisation
Creating and launching a calendar of events for the Inclusion Diversity Equality and Advice (IDEA) forum to celebrate diverse cultures, nationalities and diversity groups.
Working on Women in Leadership (WiL) recruitment initiatives
Launching and facilitating Employee Representative Groups

Cecilia is known for her people-centric approach while constructively challenging and coaching business leaders through the change process. She is described as collaborative, commercial, pragmatic and a role model. Cecilia brings passion, energy and resilience to everything she does resulting in consistent exemplary performance which is resulted in her receiving internal accolades and firmwide recognition.

Sue Liburd MBE, DL, non-executive Director
Sue is an award-winning businesswoman, human capital innovation consultant and business mentor. Sue has a special interest in assisting under-represented groups achieve C-suite success and is a recognised voice in the promotion of the importance and understanding of intersectionality and equality as a driver for business success. Sue was awarded an MBE in 2016 in recognition for her services to Business, Charities and Voluntary organisations. She won the Champion of Inclusion Award at the 2019 Inclusive Companies Awards and was listed in the ‘HERoes 100 Women Executives List’ for 2020, showcasing role models who are leading by example and driving change to increase gender diversity in the workplace. Sue is a non-executive director of ABSTRACT.

Jennifer Thomas @jnthomas4
Jennifer Thomas has risen quickly to the top as a corporate communicator, having been talent-spotted for rapid promotion at every company she has worked for. Most recently, Jennifer is transforming the profile and reputation of Direct Line Group (DLG), as Director of Internal Communications, Experience & Sustainability and previously as its Director of Financial Communications. Jennifer is part of the Group’s Strategic Leadership Team, responsible for developing the Group’s internal communications strategy, including employee engagement, the incorporation of the employee value proposition and corporate brand as well developing and executing a new corporate social responsibility strategy. Jennifer was involved in the IPO of RBS orchestrated by DLG and the biggest stock market listing of 2012. Jennifer had a former career as a UK Championships 400m runner and hurdler for England.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Black Inclusion Week Launch – Be The Change
2021-05-10 11:30 - 13:00
Black Leaders are delighted to invite you to our official 2021 Black Inclusion Week Launch in partnership with Inclusive Companies, focusing on our key theme ‘BE THE CHANGE’.
During this virtual event, Sue Liburd MBE, Non-Executive Director at ABSTRACT and winner of the Inclusive Companies Champion of Inclusion Award, will be joined by a host of powerful keynote speakers and panellists as we encourage learning, reflection, and taking action towards inclusion.
Black Inclusion Week raises awareness of the importance of Black Inclusion and creates a platform for change to enable true equality for people of African and Caribbean descent. May 10th marks the beginning of a week long campaign filled with dynamic events and activities, which aim to:

Make us stronger as one community
Create a commitment towards change
Be a celebration of Black people in the UK
Empower all and facilitate action
Connect us through collaboration

Our official launch event is a brilliant way to engage in conversation about this vital topic and hear from those that are leading at the forefront as we delve into the Black experience from various cultural aspects.
Join the increasing number of individuals and organisations that see our vision; those that are brave and innovative, and those who want to sustain true inclusion in society.
Change starts with you. We ALL play a part, each and everyone of us.

Itinerary

11.30 – 11.45
Sue Liburd MBE, human capital innovation consultant & Non-Executive Director, ABSTRACT

11.45 – 12.00
Lord Simon Woolley CBE, Founder & Director, Operation Black Vote
*Video: Why is Black Inclusion Important?*

12.00 – 12.50
Panel Session and Q&A – Exploring different aspects of the black experience

Sandra Kerr CBE, Race Director, BITC – Business In The Community
Shane Ryan, Author, Justice Campaigner & Global Executive Director, Avast Foundation
Ifraah Samatar, Educator, Author, Mental Health & Social Action Campaigner
Zayna Ratty, LGBTQIA+, GSRD (Gender, Sex & Relationship Diversity), Race & Ethnicity Hypno-Psychotherapist, speaker, columnist, & educator

About Our Guest Speakers & Panellists

Sue Liburd MBE, DL
Sue is an award-winning businesswoman, human capital innovation consultant and business mentor. Sue has a special interest in assisting under-represented groups achieve C-suite success and is a recognised voice in the promotion of the importance and understanding of intersectionality and equality as a driver for business success. Sue was awarded an MBE in 2016 in recognition for her services to Business, Charities and Voluntary organisations. She won the Champion of Inclusion Award at the 2019 Inclusive Companies Awards and was listed in the ‘HERoes 100 Women Executives List’ for 2020, showcasing role models who are leading by example and driving change to increase gender diversity in the workplace. Sue is a non-executive director of ABSTRACT.

Lord Simon Woolley

Lord Simon Woolley is the Director and one of founders of Operation Black Vote, a national and internationally renowned race equality organisation. In the last 25 years Lord Woolley has helped transform our political and civic institutions, ensuring they are inclusive and representative. In 1996 there were 4 BAME MP’s, now there are 65. In 2017 Operation Black Vote, launched the groundbreaking ‘The Colour of Power’, the most in-depth look at the racial make-up of Britain’s top jobs across 28 sectors that dominate British society. Lord Woolley is seen as the inspiration and one of the architects for the United Kingdom’s Race Disparity Unit and served as the Advisory Chair since its inception. Lord Woolley received a Knighthood in the 2019 Birthday Honours for his services to race equality and was nominated for a life peerage in the same year.

Zayna Ratty
Zayna is a Pink Therapy GSRD awareness endorsed trainer, the 1st PoC Chair of Oxford Pride and Diversity & Equalities Officer at NCHP.
She regularly delivers diversity training, consultancy and education to a wide variety of organisations.
As a Stonewall PoC Role Model she has over 1000 hours of private practice client work of experience in her specialisms of race, ethnicity and GSRD. Zayna is a columnist to both OxMag and Fyne Times and co-host of the Beyond Monogamy with Zayna and Jonathan podcast. Revered for her expertise in gender, sex, relationships and diversity, Zayna has also claimed the Hypno-Psychotherapist of the Year award at the Oxfordshire Prestige Awards 2020 and the Most Dedicated Hypno-Psychotherapist 2020 award.
An advocate for raising awareness of marginalised groups within society, Zayna has been twice nominated for the National Diversity Awards Positive Role Model (LGBT+) in both 2019 and 2020.
Zayna’s charity, diversity consulting work and private therapeutic practice explore how race, gender, sexuality and relationship diversity create a prism of intersecting identities.

Shane Ryan
Shane Ryan is a tireless campaigner for justice, equality, wellbeing and opportunity for all with over 25 years’ experience working as a Charity CEO, frequent adviser and consultant, speaker and author. He has been Strategic Consultant to the Grenfell Response Unit and a Corporate Consultant on Ethical Leadership, male wellness, employee experience, engagement and diversity initiatives. Until recently, Shane was the Deputy Director at The National Lottery Community Fund. A space in which he was able to further his work in philanthropy with responsibility for strategic national funding and partnerships including those with corporations, Central and Local Government, national grant making and place-based innovation. Additionally, during the past two years he has designed and led The National Lottery Community Fund approaches to Partnership funding mechanisms and associated policy, Youth Voice and equitable approaches during the recent Covid 19 response. More recently, Shane was appointed as Global Executive Director of the Avast Foundation, working directly and indirectly to support communities around the world and promote the values of freedom and choice that create meaningful lives.
Shane is former Chair of the AIRE Centre which is a legal charity focused on working with EU migrants, strategic litigation and trafficking and is also Former Chair and co-founder of the Young Westminster Foundation, Chair of the Fathers Development Foundation, previously Vice Chair of Children England and currently Chair and co-founder of The Grenfell Children and Young People’s Fund. He is the Former CEO of Working with men and is a National Ambassador for Future Men (the new name for WWM). He has written for national and international books and other publications from Lancet to Huffington Post as well as Central Government and, has also designed a number of programs and interventions for boys and young men internationally (e.g. most recently in Compton, LA and Soweto, RSA), spoken nationally and internationally on issues related to boys and young men as well as fatherhood. His efforts in the non-profit and charitable sector have been widely recognised: Shortlisted for Diversity Role Model of the Year 2016 (National Diversity Awards) and for Children and Young People’s Champion of the Years 2016 and 2019 (Children and Young People Now). He is the Fellow of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (2018) and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and was selected as a Guardian/Observer New Radical in 2016 in addition to Grosvenor’s Charitable Champion of the year in 2017”.

Ifraah Samatar

Ifraah Samatar is an Educator, Author, and multi award-winning Campaigner. She has 10+ years experience in Education, Charity, and Youth Sector with a keen interest in community and youth empowerment.

She works with young individuals, encouraging social inclusion and offering guidance in Academics and Personal Development. She is the co founder of NTRPRT; a Social Action Campaign that empowers and supports bilingual young interpreters, by recognizing the vital role they play in their communities, and equipping them with Leadership and knowledge to enhance their skills.

She has recently stepped down from her role in education to lead, facilitate and host discussions in Politics, Faith and Mental Health Awareness in diaspora communities. As well as Diversity and Inclusion, With particular focus on conversations around Islamophobia and Antisemitism as well as Black Inclusion and Black History beyond October.

As a consultant Ifraah delivers keynote speeches in schools, universities, and corporate events; to foster understanding, awareness, and Leadership development for youth and adults alike.

She holds the role of Deputy Chair, and host of Black Stars Podcast at the Black Leaders Network – Inclusive Communities workstream.

Sandra Kerr CBE
Sandra works together with business leaders and government policy makers to influence action on race in the UK. Prior to working at Business in the Community Sandra worked for DWP and the Cabinet Office. The Race at Work survey that she launched in 2015 with 24,457 responses and in 2018 with 24,310 responses provided the evidence to create the McGregor-Smith: Race in the workplace Review Scorecard and to establish the Race at Work Charter announced by the Prime Minister which now has more than 600 employer signatories.
In 2012 Sandra received an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours for Services to Black and Minority Ethnic people and in 2019 Sandra was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list for Services to Equality and Diversity. Sandra published the Race at Work Black Voices Report in August 2020 and the Race at Work Charter 2020 report in October 2020. Sandra also sits on the Royal Society Diversity Committee, the ONS Centre for Equalities and Inclusion Strategic Advisory Board and the Cabinet Office Race Board.
She is a big advocate of mentorship, sponsorship and allyship. The Race at Work 2021 is now open and Sandra is calling on employees now to share their stories.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Black Inclusion Week – Introduction to the Black Inclusion Index
2021-05-10 14:30 - 16:00
Black Leaders are proud to deliver our launch online event about our Black Inclusion Index. This was established in 2020 to bring clarity and to provide factual evidence and information on the levels of Black employees at senior levels across a range of business sectors in the UK.
Until now there has been no clear evidence to indicate the levels of inclusion of Black employees at senior levels. In light of calls for improvements in diversity, inclusion and equality across all areas of society there is a need to ensure that Black employees are not left behind. The Black Inclusion Index is a means to measure this inclusiveness
During this event, we will be answering important questions such as:

How would companies benefit by being part of the Black Inclusion Index?
How will the Black Inclusion Index measure success?
How can you get involved?

Please do join us and encourage others to participate too.

Itinerary

14.30 – 14.35
Sandra Pollock, Open Mind Training & Development Ltd, The Womens Awards, Inspiring You CIC | Event Launch & Introduction
14.35 – 14.50
Davina Duggan | Ana-Maria Maier
‘Introduction to the Black Inclusion Index’
14.50 – 15.30
Panel Session | ‘Introduction to the Black Inclusion Index’
Hosted by Sandra Pollock | Open Mind Training & Development Ltd, The Womens Awards, Inspiring You CIC

Nathan Dyke I Sales Operations & BAME Network Lead | Auto Trader UK
Ana-Maria Maier, CI Commercial Activation Director, Europe | NielsenIQ
Davina Duggan | Management Consultant & Transformation Expert

15.30 – 15.45 – Audience Q&A
15.45 – 15.50 – Closing Remarks / Event Close

Guest Speakers

Sandra Pollock OBE
Sandra Pollock OBE is the Founder of Open Mind Training & Development Ltd, The Women’s Awards, and Inspiring You CIC. Sandra brings more than thirty years’ experience and knowledge spanning a wide range of sectors.
Her award-winning expertise includes Leadership, Management, People development, Organisational Change, Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Membership growth. Sandrahas worked with a range of business sectors including Banking, Human Resources, Transport, Manufacturing, Engineering, Social Care, NHS, Membership, and the Voluntary sectors.
In addition to Executive Coaching at senior level, her skills incorporate facilitation, training, and development of programmes for Universities, Higher and Further education organisations as well as blue-chip companies.
Sandra’s business acumen has earned her numerous awards in recognition of her professional, community and business development contribution nationally.
Sandra is an international speaker, author, and equality activist.
Recently listed in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List 2021, Sandra was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Equality.

Nathan Dyke
Nathan is Head of Retailer Insight and BAME (Building A Multicultural Environment) Network Lead at Auto Trader.
As a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Nathan has co-chaired Auto Trader’s BAME (Building A Multicultural Environment) Network since its inception in 2018. Since that time, the group has established itself as a vital part of the AT community, significantly influencing the strategic direction of Auto Trader’s D & I strategy. Deeply involved in recruitment, retention and future talent initiatives, Nathan continues to be a visible and contributing figure in building a truly multi-cultural environment at Auto Trader.
Nathan also sits on Auto Trader’s Board Engagement Guild; sharing insight and perspective from AT’s BAME network and Sales Operation with Auto Trader’s Board to further enhance strategic decision making.

Ana Maria Maier
BA in Sociology at University of Bucharest, finalising MBA at UNESCO Chair of Interculturality, Good Governance and Sustainable Development (University of Bucharest)
9 years at NielsenIQ in local, regional and global roles using our best in class market research techniques to understand consumer and shopper behaviour.
Overall 14 years in market research.
8 years of involvement with Diversity and Inclusion in NielsenIQ across geographies and affinities, leading local chapters and launching new employee resource groups, currently co-leading the Culture committee in the UK Inclusion Impact Team.

Davina Duggan
A management consultant transitioning to executive leadership and Board service, Davina has forged a reputation for delivering complex mandates and improving the interests of our communities at large. Drawing on a diverse international career in private, public and third sectors over 21 years, Davina creates value within security and intelligence initiatives by providing clarity on what is required to successfully manage and deliver projects, programmes and portfolios. Davina had an initial career spanning ten years in journalism and television news gathering, including tenures with the Metropolitan Police, the BBC and ITN. She has held high-profile roles at the centre of the UK national security machinery, managing crises during the 2017 terror attacks and the WannaCry cyber attack; and she has demonstrated a track record of bringing local, central and foreign government departments, the UK intelligence community and external experts together to achieve shared objectives. Davina is a qualified intelligence analyst; an accredited P3M professional; and a Member of the Association for Project Management (MAPM).
Davina is most passionate about inclusion: and specifically contributing to the urgent need to increase representation across senior leadership (including in security and intelligence) of people from Black backgrounds. She is establishing ‘Black and C-Suite,’ an inclusion social enterprise that supports candidates to achieve an optimum profile for Boardroom service and leadership legacies within their communities.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Black Inclusion Week – Black Leadership & Empowerment
2021-05-11 14:00 - 15:00
CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Black Leaders are proud to partner with the Open University to deliver an engaging virtual event highlighting the planned and groundbreaking Black Leaders Empowerment Programme!
Focussing on developing capacity, collaboration and agency, the Black Leaders Empowerment Programme will draw on cutting edge approaches to leadership and development. This informative virtual event will see an array of key representatives from the Open University, explore how the programme will support and inspire individuals to become impactful agents of change, whilst building a learning community that will provide a future resource for development.

Itinerary

14.00pm – 14.05pm
Paul Sesay, CEO/Founder, Black Leaders
Event Launch & Introduction

14.05pm – 14.15pm
Sonia Bassey MBE, Director of Public Sector Transformation | Cheshire East Council
‘The Journey of Black Leaders and the Leadership & Empowerment Programme’

14.15pm – 14.30pm
Professor Marcia Wilson, Dean of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion | The Open University
‘The Importance of Black Leadership in the UK’

14.30pm – 15.00pm – Panel Session (Q&A)
‘Introduction to Black Leaders Leadership & Empowerment Programme’

Owain Smolovic-Jones, Senior Lecturer in People Management and Organisation | The Open University
Fidele Mutwarasibo, Job Title TBC I The Open University
Professor Marcia Wilson, Dean of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion | The Open University
Sonia Bassey MBE, Director of Public Sector Transformation | Cheshire East Council

15.00pm
Closing Remarks | Event Close

Guest Speakers

Professor Marcia Wilson
Dean of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion | The Open University
Professor Marcia Wilson works at the Open University (OU) as the Dean of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Prior to the OU, Marcia worked at the University of East London for 12 years where she established the UK’s first Office for Institutional Equity (OIE) and held the position of Dean. Her work includes equality projects with Universities UK and London Higher to tackle racism in higher education institutes. Less than 0.5% of the senior managers in universities are Black women. This makes Marcia, who is a multiple award winner for her work in higher education, one the few Black women leaders in higher education in the UK. She uses her platform to raise awareness about inequalities and generate institutional change.
Marcia has a PhD in Sport Psychology from the University of Iowa. She has held various roles throughout her career including Head of the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience and Head of the Sport Science department at UEL. She spent 10 years studying and working in the USA. She has also worked for eight years in sport psychology at the Football Association with the women’s national team (U15s, U17s and seniors) and has also worked in Rugby Union with elite women’s teams and coaches.
Marcia is a Trustee for a Multi-Academy Trust in East London and sits on the Council of Deans of Health’s Anti-Racism Advisory Board.

Dr Owain Smolovic Jones
Senior Lecturer in People Management and Organisation | The Open University
Owain Smolović Jones is Director of the OU’s Research into Employment, Empowerment and Futures (REEF) academic centre of excellence and a leadership scholar. Owain’s research primarily focuses on practices of collective and democratic leadership within organisations. Most recently he has been thinking about the geographical and technological dynamics of leadership, particularly within urban environments and in relation to environmental leadership.
Owain has investigated the organisational dynamics of political parties, particularly in relation to gender representation and resistance. Working to better understand the language of leadership, he has focused on the ‘romanticization’ of the discourses of individual and collective forms of leadership, exploring the implications of such constructions for disempowering people and groups.
Together with Keith Grint he has developed the 5Ps model of leadership (person, process, product, position and purpose), to be published in a forthcoming book with Palgrave. He has published papers in esteemed journals such as Work, Employment and Society, Human Relations, Organization Studies, Gender, Work and Organization, Management Learning, Organization and Leadership.
Owain tries to design innovative teaching materials at undergraduate and postgraduate level that engage and challenge students to think expansively about leadership and organisational ethics. He is currently developing an MBA unit that supports managers in transitioning to green forms of organisation.

Dr Fidèle Mutwarasibo
Fidèle has worked in various capacities in the voluntary sector for over two decades. His experience includes working in community development (Rwanda); emergency and relief (Democratic Republic of Congo); immigration, migrants’ integration, advocacy and equality, diversity and inclusion – (Ireland).
Since moving to the UK, he has been active in Citizens: MK, Citizens UK, Milton Keynes Community Foundation and Milton Keynes Gallery. Fidèle’s focus in the UK has been on equality, diversity and inclusion and hate crimes.

Sonia Bassey MBE
Director of Public Sector Transformation | Cheshire East Council
Sonia Bassey MBE has spent nearly 40 years working in communities and creating life opportunities for people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds. Growing up in the vibrant and active L8 area of Liverpool, Sonia became an entrepreneur at just 19 when she established herself as a community artist and director of her own business, which she still runs today. Currently she works as Director of Public Sector Transformation for Cheshire and Warrington, leading transformation of services across the sub region. As well as chairing the Board of Trustees at Africa Oyé – the UK’s largest celebration of African music and culture, Sonia is also Chair of Liverpool charity Mandela8, who are developing a memorial, representing an outdoor classroom, to Nelson Mandela in Princes Park, Toxteth, Liverpool 8. Throughout her career, Sonia has secured over £20M to support vulnerable and complex families.

Penna and Black Leaders Present: Black Leaders in HR Webinar for Black Inclusion Week, with Melanie Medley and Tinu Olowe
2021-05-13 12:00 - 13:00
BOOK YOUR PLACE TODAY

Penna and Black Leaders Present:
Black Leaders in HR Webinar for Black Inclusion Week, with Melanie Medley and Tinu Olowe
12:00pm on Thursday 13th May

We’re delighted to be celebrating Black Inclusion Week at Penna between the 10th and 14th of May, in partnership with Black Leaders.
To mark the occasion, we are holding a webinar to explore the perspectives of two Black leaders in HR – Melanie Medley (Head of HR, interim at Southwark Council and Tinu Olowe (Director of HR and OD at Enfield Council).
Melanie, Tinu and Penna’s Fiyin Fayeye will discuss the glass ceiling that exists for Black talent, how we can encourage the development of more Black leaders in HR and Melanie and Tinu’s own professional journeys
We hope to see you on the webinar.
Thursday 13th May
12:00pm – 13:00pm
Please register via the links below. Diary and dial-in information will be sent through following your sign-up directly from Zoom. Please ensure you check your Junk folder if Zoom isn’t in your safe senders list. If you do not receive your details, please contact events@penna.com.

BOOK YOUR PLACE TODAY

Black Business ownership - Successfully overcoming the challenges
2021-05-13 13:30 - 14:30
BOOK YOUR PLACE TODAY

Supported by Imperial College Business School
In partnership with Black Leaders

For May’s BBA event we have teamed up with Black Leaders for Black Inclusion Week. This week is about creating a stronger community feel, creating change, celebrating the Black community, empowering all and making connections. We will be running a webinar with a panel of inspiring Black business owners to hear their journeys, their challenges, where and how they received support and how inclusion has shaped their business. Our host, Lord Hastings, will be conversing with our panel of business leaders, including Raphael Dapaah of Dapaah Chocolates; Denise Nurse of Black Founders Hub and Mercedes Benson of Social Fixt. The audience will also have a chance to pose their questions to our panel of speakers.

Why is it important to continue the conversation around Black Inclusion
2021-05-14 14:30 - 15:45
Black Leaders are honoured to conclude the inaugural Black Inclusion Week (BIW) with a critical online event – ‘Why is it important to continue the conversation around Black Inclusion?’
Black Inclusion Week is an unprecedented opportunity for everyone to celebrate Black people in the UK, and to remember the importance of building a fair and just society through the advancement of inclusion for all. It is, therefore, imperative that we continue to drive the conversation forward once we conclude BIW, to truly make a difference.
As BIW comes to a close, Black Leaders will host an engaging and informative virtual event, where we will be joined by an array of inclusive organisations leading at the forefront of this movement including Nielsen, Hastings Direct, The Open University and more, as we explore how to keep the conversation going far beyond Black Inclusion Week.

Itinerary

14.30 – 14.35
Paul Sesay, CEO/Founder | Black Leaders
Event Launch & Introduction

14.35 – 14.50
Kymberly Graham, Director, Diversity & Inclusion | NielsenIQ I
‘Why is it important to continue the conversation around Black Inclusion?’

14.50 – 15.25
Panel Session

Simi Alofoje, Head of Talent and Inclusion, Hastings Direct
Stephen Akpabio-Klementowski, Regional Manager of Students in Secure Environments I The Open University
Helen Gauder, Managing Director I SafeNet (part of The Calico Group)
Kymberly Graham, Director, Diversity & Inclusion I NielsenIQ

15.25 – 15.40
Panel Q&A

15.40 – 15.45
Closing Remarks I Event Close

Guest speakers & Panellists

Kymberly Graham
Director, Diversity & Inclusion | NielsenIQ
Kymberly Graham is the Director, Diversity & Inclusion at NielsenIQ who is responsible for Inclusive Talent practices. From attraction to retention and development, Kymberly’s focus is on ensuring the internal processes are fair, inclusive and positively impact NielsenIQ’s objectives as well as the diverse talent experience. Additionally, she strategically leads the network of 9 Global Employee Resource Groups for end to end talent touchpoints, driving equitable visibility and impact for all affinities. She is passionate about diversity as driver of business growth and values an inclusive culture. As a Georgia native, Kymberly attended the University of Georgia for undergrad and Mercer University for her MBA.

Simi Alofoje
Head of Talent and Inclusion | Hastings Direct
Simi Alofoje is an HR leader passionate about getting the best out of people in organisations. Simi has had a 15 years + career in financial services and is a specialist in inclusive talent management with senior level experience in strategic HR business partnering, executive succession management, leadership development, change management, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion and corporate social responsibility. Simi has a proven track record of using a combination of strong conceptual thinking, excellent consulting skills and insightful questioning to achieve desired outcomes, on time and to a high standard. Successful at challenging and supporting leaders with dismantling barriers to attracting, including and developing people from diverse backgrounds. Values driven, calm, authentic and self-aware with strong problem solving capability and excellent relationship management skills. Coaches and acts as trusted counsel to a diverse range of stakeholders across all levels of seniority.

Stephen Akpabio-Klementowski
Regional Manager of Students in Secure Environments | The Open University
Stephen Akpabio-Klementowski (AFHEA) is a regional manager for The Open University’s Students in Secure Environments (SiSE) team with responsibility for 29 prisons and secure hospital units in the country. Stephen is also an associate lecturer in criminology and a final year PhD candidate in criminology with The Open University.

Helen Gauder
Managing Director | SafeNet
Helen is Managing Director of SafeNet, a Domestic Abuse Charity based in the North West and one of the companies in the Calico Group. Helen has been in post for 25 years and during that time she has led the development of a diverse range of domestic abuse services across Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Helen champions equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of life and in the workplace. Helen is an NLP Master Practitioner, an ILM Executive Coach and is DAPA (Domestic Abuse Prevention Advocate) qualified.

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