Diversity Matters

Summary In this conversation, Charles Sealy reflects on his life journey from growing up in Barbados to moving to England as part of the Windrush generation. He shares his experiences in education, his career in nursing, and the challenges of racism and identity faced by the black community. He discusses his voluntary work, the impact of the Windrush scandal, and the importance of recognizing blac...

In this episode of the Diversity Matters podcast, Edwina Kulego shares her inspiring journey from a small town in Sweden to becoming a leading figure in the fashion industry. She discusses her early influences, the challenges of diversity and inclusion in fashion, and her current initiatives at Informa. Edwina also highlights her beauty brand, Essentials by Edwina, which aims to fill the gap in th...

Tatyana Arrington, an influential entertainment reporter and digital host, shares her journey from a young theater enthusiast to a global speaker and corporate client manager at the Diversity Org. She discusses her love for the arts, her experiences as an actor and model, and her transition into the world of entertainment reporting. Tatyana highlights the importance of authenticity in interviews a...

Deb Colden shares her journey to Hewlett Packard and her transition to becoming an executive coach. She discusses the importance of culture and values in a company and the impact of burnout on her mental health. Deb also talks about the creation of the Rules of the Garage Mentoring Circle and the benefits of such a group. She emphasizes the need for trust, support, and a safe space for collaborati...

Philippa shares her journey in pursuing a career in engineering, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, and the importance of mentorship and community support. She emphasizes the need for companies to focus on retention and create inclusive environments for underrepresented groups. She also discusses her aspirations to become a team principal in Formula One and the steps sh...

Austin Okolo, CEO and co-founder of the Gen Z Club, discusses the gap between Gen Z and corporate companies and how his organization aims to bridge that gap. He highlights the unique qualities that Gen Z professionals bring to the workplace, such as their tech-savviness and access to information. Austin emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting Gen Z's perspective and harnessing the...

Meloney shares her experience growing up in the British Virgin Islands and the challenges of living with bipolar disorder. She discusses the tight-knit community and the lack of conversation around mental health in her community. She explains the highs and lows of bipolar disorder and the importance of finding a balance through medication and therapy. Meloney also discusses her blog and advocacy w...

Jason Jones, a gay rights activist, shares his experiences growing up in Trinidad and Tobago and his journey towards fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. He discusses the influence of his parents, who were journalists, and the impact of the black liberation movement on his activism. Jason also explains the history of anti-gay legislation in Trinidad and Tobago and how he challenged and successfully removed...

Jason Bean shares his experiences growing up with autism and the challenges he faced in school and the workplace. He discusses the lack of support and understanding from teachers and employers, as well as the discrimination he encountered. Jason emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and understanding one's own challenges in order to effectively communicate and request accommodations. He also...

Maya shares her experiences of moving to the UK as a child and the challenges she faced in adapting to a new culture and language. She then discusses her journey through education, including her pursuit of a biomedical engineering degree and her desire to study medicine. Maya also opens up about her son, Hamza, and the difficulties she faced in recognizing and getting support for his neurodevelopm...

Jessica shares her journey in the fashion industry, from her early experiences with custom clothing to founding her own store, Luxor and Finch. She discusses the importance of diversity and personalization in fashion, and how technology can bridge the gap. Jessica then explains her latest venture, Looks AI, a peer-to-peer shopping platform that matches users with their digital doppelgangers based...

In this episode, Mike reflects on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in the workplace. He emphasizes that DE&I is not just a buzzword, but a strategic necessity for organizations. Mike discusses key trends and predictions for DE&I in 2024, including data-driven strategies, inclusive leadership development, recognition of intersectionality, inclusivity in remote w...

Lyndsey Simpson, founder and CEO of 55 Redefined, discusses the need to address ageism in the workplace and society. She shares her inspiration for creating 55 Redefined and the challenges faced in breaking age stigma. Lyndsey emphasizes the importance of creating an age-inclusive workplace and provides strategies for employers to achieve this. She also offers advice for individuals navigating lat...

Ritika Wadhwa discusses the importance of cultural intelligence for leaders in today's globalized business landscape. Cultural intelligence is defined as the capability to work effectively with people from different cultures. It is essential for leaders to be adaptable and flexible in order to navigate diverse teams and changing environments. Building cultural intelligence involves understanding c...

Devin shares his experience growing up in Leytonstone and his journey from studying fashion to working in finance. He discusses his drive to create positive socioeconomic change and the inspiration behind his podcast, 1000 Voices. Devin aims to showcase diverse voices and memorialize black British stories. His long-term ambition is to use the podcast to drive tangible systemic change and support b...

Raphael Sofoluke shares his journey from a background in music and sales to becoming the founder of the UK Black Business Show. He discusses the inspiration behind the show and the need for representation and networking opportunities for black entrepreneurs and professionals. Sofoluke highlights the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the events industry and the need for more black-o...

In this episode of Diversity Matters, Erica shares her personal journey with endometriosis and the impact it has had on her daily life, relationships, and mental health. She discusses the challenges she faced in the events industry and the importance of support from managers. Erica also talks about the diagnosis process and the treatment options available for endometriosis. She shares her worries...

Stuart Lawrence, the brother of Stephen Lawrence, discusses the impact of his brother's murder and how it catapulted him into a different world. He shares the challenges his family faced as they became the focus of media attention and the ripple effect the murder had on the black community and society as a whole. Stuart also talks about his close relationship with Stephen and how it shaped his own...

My guest on this episode is Javina Greene, Javina explains how for over 6 years she was trapped in an abusive relationship that spiraled into a life of being exploited, physically abused, and addicted to drugs. That life left her alienated and abandoned by family who tried many times to help her. Through her resilience and determination she was able to escape and is rebuilding her life as has reco...

Life for black UK police officers in the 80s and 90s was a complex and challenging experience. They faced racism and discrimination from both their colleagues and the public, and they struggled to balance their identity and loyalty. During this period we witnessed the rise of social movements and protests against police brutality and injustice, such as the Brixton riots, the Broadwater Farm riots,...

My guest this week is Yanique DaCosta, a Jamaican-born graphic designer and entrepreneur with a passion for advocating for diversity and inclusivity in the design industry. She holds a BA in Fine Arts from Florida Atlantic University and a Master of Fine Arts in Media Design from Full Sail University. She is the founder and owner of YKMD, a unique graphic design company that utilises modern techno...

According to a report by the National Foundation for Educational Research, thousands of pupils in England’s inner cities skip school for up to two weeks every year, and hundreds of students are truant for the equivalent of a whole term or more. The report also found that boys who skipped lessons fell further behind with their school grades than girls.  There are a variety of reasons why child...

In this episode I want to talk about Menopause in the workplace to coincide with World Menopause Day, held every year on the 18th of October, to raise awareness of menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing. My guest is Lauren Chiren, CEO of Women of a Certain Stage a company that specialize in supporting employers in embracing and normalizing all life stages, f...

My guest this week is Julian Hall, who is the founder and CEO of multi-award-winning company, Ultra Education CIC , a social enterprise that exists to inspire positive and lasting change in the lives of young people who would otherwise suffer from the disadvantage of their starting point, and focusing mainly on those from minority communities for whom the existing education system does not deliver...

In Brixton, in 1985, at the age of 37, Cherry Groce was wrongfully shot by the police in her own home, witnessed by her 11-year-old son, Lee Lawrence and his siblings. Cherry was left paralysed from the waist down. The children were left traumatised. In April 2011 Cherry Groce eventually died from her injuries having spent 26 years in a wheelchair. At the time, the shooting sent shockwaves through...