REPRESENTED with Annie Gichuru

What does it really take to lead with courage and create spaces where everyone feels like they belong? It’s not just about ticking boxes—it’s about making bold, intentional choices. On today’s episode, I have a powerful conversation with Crystal Whiteaker , author of Brave Leadership is a Choice - An Inclusive Guide To Creating Belonging where we dive deep into what it means to step into brave lea...

What does it take to go from feeling stuck to living a life filled with joy and purpose? In this episode of Represented , I’m joined by Hezeliya Kariuki, a life coach who has dedicated her career to helping women answer that very question.  Hezeliya’s journey wasn’t always smooth—failing in school, hiding behind humour, and avoiding challenges were once part of her story. Today, she shares how she...

I'm thrilled to introduce you to Tony Nabors, the Founder of Racial Equity Insights, who brings over 20 years of experience in anti-racism work. Tony has held transformative roles, including being the first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for a public housing authority in Washington state. He’s now living a truly global life, having relocated his family from the U.S. to Tanzania,...

 Have you ever stopped to question who defines "best practice" or what it really means to be "professional"? I’m breaking down how these seemingly neutral terms often act as codes for whiteness, shaping the standards we’re all expected to follow—whether in the workplace or the coaching space. We’ll explore three critical areas where this plays out: Corporate Dress Codes & P...

Lately, I've been talking a lot about microaggressions and last week I facilitated a live training on Microaggressions 101 to dive deeper into this topic that many people still don't know about, yet they occur in everyday language.  In this episode I break down what microaggressions are, share some of the most common examples we see in everyday life, and even dive into one that's sp...

In this powerful episode of Represented , I sit down with Ama "That Inclusion Lady" Agyapong, a renowned Inclusion advisor, coach, and speaker with over 15 years of experience, to discuss the impact of white supremacy culture on Black women in America today. We explore the harsh realities of misogynoir and how, even in 2024, Malcolm X’s famous words about Black women being the most disre...

Mumbi Hinga is a dynamic business coach, filmmaker, and film festival director whose journey from nursing to entrepreneurship is as inspiring as it is unconventional. With over two decades of experience, Mumbi has transformed her career across multiple industries, from owning a store to becoming an ecommerce expert, a filmmaker, and the co-founder of a film festival. Through it all, she’s remained...

Has it ever dawned on you that how you price your offers as coach could be predatory? In this episode, I’m joined by Simone McNish, a DEI Consultant and Inclusive Content Strategist dedicated to breaking down oppressive systems in entrepreneurship and organisational spaces.  Simone shares her journey from social media management to leading important discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion...

I'm honoured to sit down with Katie Kurtz, a specialist in the field of trauma-informed care. With over 15 years of experience as a licensed social worker and certified coach, Katie brings unparalleled expertise to the conversation. She’s not only a leading figure in trauma-informed training and consultation, but she also plays a pivotal role in shaping future leaders through her work as an A...

It's with great joy I introduce you to Sudha Balaji, an international award-winning life, leadership, and wellbeing coach for women of colour. Sudha’s journey is nothing short of inspiring—she's someone who has courageously aligned her life with her heart and soul, experiencing freedom and joy without sacrificing who she really is. As a migrant woman of colour living in New Zealand, Sudh...

Meet Marion Tan, a visionary personal brand strategist and the founder of Hearten and Hone. Marion's approach is refreshingly different—she champions empathetic messaging over the often manipulative tactics seen in traditional marketing. Her mission is clear: to amplify the voices of human-centred thought leaders who want to make a real impact, all while staying true to their values. We'...

Are you ready to take a deep dive into the world of inclusive branding? Join me in this episode as I sit down with Tess Palmyre, the visionary founder of Brandable, an agency that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in brand strategy, communications, and design. Tess Palmyre is a trailblazer in the field, working tirelessly with purpose-led brands to build inclusive identities from th...

Taking a short podcast break during Australian school holidays and will be back with you from 5th August. This is an opportunity for you to re-listen to some of your favourite past episodes or take the time to watch the guest interviews on YouTube . If this podcast has been of value to you and supported your understanding of anti-racism work, I'd love you to leave a rating and review so we ca...

You'll definitely want to set aside about 50 mins for this conversation because it's simply a must-listen. Whether you are new to antiracism work or you've been doing this work for years, there so much to glean from. In this enlightening episode, I host a panel discussion with students from my recent round of REPRESENTED.  Join me and Amy Robertson-Thrift, Carol Joseland, Dusk Liney...

I'm thrilled to share the latest episode featuring the incredible Misty Johnson, a Social Media Self-Care Coach and the inspiring host of The Unplugged Woman, Unplugged Podcast. Misty is on a mission to help us all embrace “JOLO” - The Joy of Living Offline. She guides her clients to unplug from social media in a simple, sustainable, and stress-free way, allowing them to focus on what truly m...

Meet Caroline Brunne—a survivor coach, author, professional speaker, and entrepreneur. Caroline has transformed her traumatic experiences of childhood sexual abuse and incest into a beacon of hope and strength for others. Through her memoir, "More Than One Thing Can Be True: A Story of Survival," Caroline shares her healing journey, offering a raw and poignant account that encourages sur...

One of my students recently realised that true allyship isn't just about calling people out—there's a more effective and impactful approach that feels sustainable. This prompted me to share the things a lot of people are getting wrong about racial equity and in so doing making their journey a lot more complex than it needs to be. Key takeaways you'll get from this episode: The Misco...

I'm joined by the phenomenal  Annastacia Wainaina—a renowned speaker, coach, culture and leadership strategist, podcaster, author, and passionate advocate for children's protection and adoption. Annastacia's magnetic presence and unwavering commitment to making a difference have touched countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all she encounters. In our conversati...

Meet Stephanie MacKinnon, an internationally award-nominated Certified Life and Liberatory Leadership Coach, who brings over a decade of community facilitation experience and a Master's in Adult Education. Stephanie's expertise lies in helping changemakers and business owners navigate and resist the oppressive impacts of late-stage capitalism to reclaim their joy and personal freedom. He...

I sit down with Brenda Gaddi, the inspiring founder and managing director of Women of Colour Australia (WoCA). Brenda, a first-generation migrant from Manila, has spent over a decade building communities and advocating for racial equity. We explore the origins of the term "Women of Colour," discuss Brenda’s personal journey, including how her mother's passing inspired WoCA’s creatio...

Building on the allyship discussion we've been having for the last couple of weeks, today we're diving into the concept of white saviourism. This often unnoticed behaviour can undermine genuine allyship and perpetuate harmful dynamics. I'll break down what white saviourism is, explore relatable examples, and discuss how to avoid it to become a more effective and respectful ally.  LI...

I'm exploring a topic that's evolved significantly over the past few years: racial equity in small online businesses, particularly in the personal development and coaching industry. In 2024, we're witnessing a shift in the landscape of racial equity work. While global interest may have waned, especially within corporate structures, there's a resounding call for genuine engageme...

I'm excited to explore with you the world of allyship—but not just any allyship. I'm talking about performative allyship and how to identify it.  What are the pitfalls of performative activism, and the one most powerful exercise to know if you are being performative. Here's what you can expect: ▶ Unpacking the issue around using the term ally ▶ Other suggested terms other than ally...

Since 2020, we've seen a surge in online gatherings, but as virtual events become the norm, how do we ensure they're inclusive and welcoming to everyone, especially from a racial perspective? Join me as I share actionable strategies to create racial inclusion, promote diversity, and make virtual spaces feel like home for all.  Here are some of the key points you'll want to tune into...

I'm addressing a question many women of colour face: How To Network in White Spaces. I share my personal experience of being the only Black woman in many rooms both in person and virtually and the challenges that come with it, from feeling isolated to facing microaggressions and unconscious biases. Despite these setback, you can still build your confidence through creating meaningful connecti...