Diversity Alliance Talks

At Diversity Alliance, as we start the new year we want to begin 2024 with fresh perspectives on DE&I in the events industry.

In Part Two of the DEI Insights in 2023 series we continue to share our DE&I insights, and highlight some of the memorable moments from our podcast featuring incredible guests with lived experiences, experts, and advocates.

In this episode, I share DE&I insights and revisit our most popular and insightful podcast clips. Throughout the episode, you will gain valuable insights on:

• Training on Deaf Awareness, Accessible Event Planning and Improving Policies for Events with Meg Strahle
• Challenging Stereotypes, Inclusive Hiring Practices and Supporting Career Development in all Stages of the Workplace with Claire Derrick
• Creating Sensory Friendly Spaces, Neurodivergent Collaboration and the Importance of Continuous Learning and Adaptation with Daniel Brooke
• Accessible Wellbeing Resources, Tailored Wellbeing Initiatives and the Importance of Employee Feedback and Collaboration with Jenny Okolo

As we approach the end of 2023, I want to have a moment of reflection, share our DE&I insights, and highlight some of the memorable moments from our podcast featuring incredible guests with lived experiences, experts, and advocates.

In this episode, I share my most impactful DE&I insights and revisit clips from our most popular podcasts. In this episode, I share valuable insights on:

• Exploring Muslim Faith, Inclusive Events & Education with Natasha Butt
• Gender Equality, Pay Equity & Female Empowerment with Natalie Campbell
• Recruitment, Talent, & Being Your Authentic Self with Alasdair Moore
• Advocating for the Transgender Community & The Importance of Personal Responsibility with Thea Bardot

This month at Diversity Alliance, our campaign is centred around Disability Awareness Month. In this episode I catch up with Meg Strahle, who shares profound insights into her firsthand experience of living with hearing loss and we delve into how she navigates the events industry journey.

This month at Diversity Alliance, we're campaigning for Disability Awareness Month.

This episode offers a fantastic learning experience, packed with valuable insights that can equip event industry professionals with the knowledge they need to know on disability inclusion and accessibility in the events industry.

Together Lizzy and I covered:

• Lizzy's journey towards advocacy for accessibility in the events industry

•  The importance of event management degrees evolving to understanding the importance of accessibility and inclusion in events

•  Best practices, strategies and ideas to improve accessibility and inclusion

•  The Inclusive Event Design Playbook and how this guide can help the industry

Lizzy's Further Learning Recommendation:

In our final episode for Black History Month I'm thrilled to share the insights and experiences from the latest Black Excellence Confab, this podcast episode focused on how we can build diverse supply chains.

In this episode, we delve into . . .

•  The current issues with supply chains 

•  Insights from case studies on solutions to build diverse supply chains

• Advice and guidance from our host Gabrielle Austen Browne and special guest Tinique Hay as well as our valued members in attendance

This episode is part of our ongoing Black History Month series.

When listening to these insights from our confab, our goals for you are:

1. To listen to experiences and stories related to opportunities and challenges when supporting Black businesses and talent.
2. To gain knowledge and tools that can enhance diversity and inclusion so you can encompass best practices, resources, and effective strategies.
3. Empower you to take actionable steps and implement the insights that resonate with you, contributing to meaningful change.
4. Develop your own solutions to drive innovation beyond Black History Month.

Stay tuned for more exciting conversations like this, and make sure to mark your calendars for the next Diversity Alliance confab!

This podcast episode is an exclusive, full-length episode from the recent Black Excellence Confab event, which was hosted by the Diversity Alliance in honour of Black History Month. We delve into topics such as building diverse supply chains and nurturing Black talent.

This special episode features:

•  Diverse supplier networks and supporting Black talent in the event industry 

•  Insights from case studies on solutions to build diverse supply chains and leverage Black excellence

Episode includes advice from me (Gabby) and special guest Tinique Hay, as well as our valued members who attended the fostering diverse supply chains and supporting Black talent.

This episode is part of our ongoing Black History Month series and our goals for you are:

1. To listen and learn from experiences and stories related to opportunities and challenges in supporting Black businesses and talent.
2. Absorb knowledge and collect tools that can enhance diversity and inclusion so you can encompass best practices, resources, and effective strategies.
3. Empower you to take actionable steps and implement the insights that resonate with you, contributing to meaningful change.
4. To foster collaboration within our collective, empowering you to develop your own solutions to drive innovation beyond Black History Month.

Stay tuned for more exciting conversations like this, and make sure to mark your calendars for the next Diversity Alliance confab!

 - Catch up on Diversity Alliance's Black History Month Podcast Series -

 11th of October : Supporting Black Talent Excellence Podcast Episode - Confab Insights

 18th of October : Full Black History Month Special Confab Release

COMING SOON:  25th of October : Building Diverse Supply Chains Podcast Episode - Confab Insights

In this episode I am thrilled to share the insights and experiences from our latest Black Excellence Confab, this podcast episode is focused on the excellence of Black talent for Black History Month.

In this episode, we delve into . . .

•  The experiences of Black talent in the events industry and beyond
•  Insights into how we can support Black talent and what can be done on a practical level

Big thanks to our special guest Tinique Hay, as well as our valued members who shared their insights during this confab!

This episode is part of our ongoing Black History Month series. Where you can:

• Listen and learn from personal experiences and stories related to the opportunities and challenges for Black businesses and talent.
• Gain knowledge and tools to enhance diversity and inclusion that in compass best practices, resources, and effective strategies.

We hope it helps listeners to develop their own solutions that drive innovation beyond Black History Month!

Stay tuned for more exciting conversations like this, and make sure to mark your calendars for the next Diversity Alliance confab!

Stay Tuned for Part 2:

This month's focus is on intersectionality and for the second episode I had a super interesting and raw conversation with Bee Gilmore - the founder of Softboi, Talent & Brand Manager, Facilitator and Mentor.

Together Bee and I covered: 

🌈 Best practices for working with marginalised and under-represented voices in organisations.

🌈 How you can have impactful conversations about professionalism, identity, and leadership in the workplace

🌈 How to approach the creation of safe spaces where individuals with intersecting identities can feel heard and valued.

🌈 Insights from Bee on how they have helped companies scale their customer bases by focusing on inclusion and intersectionality in community-building.

🌈 Book recommendations for intersectionality awareness.

This month Diversity Alliance are campaigning for Intersectionality Awareness Month and for the first episode we had a powerful and inspiring conversation with Dr Elsa Zekeng a Strategy Consultant, Trustee and Advisory Board Member and a Forbes Featured Science-Entrepreneur. 

Dr Elsa and I covered: 

❤️‍🩹 Dr Elsa Zekeng professional journey as a Science-Entrepreneur in health care

 ❤️‍🩹 Addressing gender disparities in science and entrepreneurship

 ❤️‍🩹 Understanding the diverse needs and perspectives in different regions and communities

 ❤️‍🩹 Outbreak of the Ebola virus and what you can learn from her application of intersectionality in policy engagement and community outreach

 ❤️‍🩹 Ideas for collaborative efforts in corporate and non-profit sectors for inclusion

❤️‍🩹 How to leverage intersectional expertise for diversity and inclusion as a Non-Executive Director

❤️‍🩹 Dr Elsa book recommendations for intersectionality awareness (head to the end of the episode, it's a goodie!)

This month we are campaigning for Neurodiversity Awareness Month and for the second episode we had an insightful conversation with Daniel Brooke the CEO & Director of Neurodiversity Specialists who shared many practical tips you can easily implement into your organisation or improve your awareness. Together Daniel and I covered: 🧠 Daniel's personal journey with Neurodiversity

🧠 Unique approaches for supporting neurodivergent individuals in finding meaningful employment

🧠 How to create a supportive and inclusive environment for neurodivergent employees throughout their journey in the workplace 🧠 Learn about Neurodiversity Specialists and its benefits for organisations and their neurodiverse workforce 🧠 Book recommendations to help continue your learning and understanding

This month Diversity Alliance are campaigning for Neurodiversity Awareness Month and for our first episode I had an amazing conversation with Shareefa J! Together, Shareefa and I spilt the tea on: 🧠 Shareefa's journey as an advocate for Mental Health, Wellbeing, Body Positivity, Neurodiversity, and being a Model. 🧠 Her ADHD diagnosis. 🧠 The Impact of ADHD diagnosis on her life. 🧠 How ADHD influences the workplace experience. 🧠 Shareefa's experience as a speaker, host, model at events and promoting neurodiversity/ADHD in the industry. 🧠 Book recommendations to help continue your learning and understanding.

This month we are campaigning around Challenging Age Perception and for our second episode, we had a conversation with Mariska Kesteloo. Mariska is the passionate founder of Word of MICE, an international speaker and author. She specialises in B2B influencer marketing for the meetings and events industry. As well as being dedicated to supporting individuals through the grieving process.

Together Gabby and Mariska spilt the tea on: 🗣 How you can enhance inclusivity and challenge bias in the events industry 🗣 The challenges mature professionals face in the events industry 🗣 How to embrace intergenerational connection 🗣 Book recommendations to help continue your learning and understanding

This month we are campaigning around Challenging Age Perception and for our first edition, we had a conversation with Claire Derrick, the Principal and Founder of the Event Academy.

In this episode Claire shares how we can unlock the potential of mature professionals in the Events Industry. Claire Derrick is a founding director and academy principal of Event Academy. She began her UK career as a PA and event organiser with the Duchess of York’s charity, Children in Crisis, planning and implementing special occasions with Royalty. Together Gabby and Claire spill the tea on: 🗣 How can we unlock the potential of mature professionals in the events industry 🗣 How can we support the next generation in the workplace 🗣 Why we need to remove bias, judgement and preconceptions 🗣 Addressing Ageism in the events industry 🗣 Book recommendations to help continue the learning and understanding of challenging age perception

For the second episode of our Pride month campaign, Gabby is in conversation with Chris King, the Founder of Lightning Travel Recruitment. In this episode Chris shares their advice, insight and lived experience identifying as trans non-binary in the LGTBQIA+ community during Pride Month.

Chris identifies as the trans-non-binary finery and ADHD babe behind the disruptive Lightning Travel Recruitment brand. With their powerful voice and captivating storytelling, Chris has emerged as a 'top voice' on LinkedIn, recognised as one of the top 10 LGBTIA Voices in the UK 2 years in a row, and was named one of 5 LinkedIn creators to follow by PinkNews in 2023.

They have also contributed LGBTQ articles to Conde Nast Traveller, been featured in Forbes and received the Recruitment Leader award at the UK Recruitment Awards.

This month we are campaigning around Mental Health and for our second episode, we had a conversation with Jessie Leong who shares advice on how you can hack financial confidence. Jessie is the founder of How I Fund This, a community of over 45,000 financially-curious people looking to transform their relationship with money and feel more confident making financial decisions. Her commentary on personal finance has been featured in The Independent and Yahoo!, and she has partnered with award-winning brands to increase financial awareness and wellbeing. Together Gabby and Jessie cover: 💚 Practical steps and strategies individuals in the events industry can take to effectively manage their expenses and maintain financial stability amidst the cost of living crisis. 💚 Innovative ways that professionals in the events industry can diversify their income streams or find alternative sources of financial stability. 💚 Key habits or mindset shifts that contribute to financial success and resilience. 💚 Effective ways to navigate the emotional aspects of money management, such as dealing with financial stress or overcoming the fear of making financial decisions.

This month we are campaigning around Mental Health and for our first episode, we had a conversation with Jenny Okolo. She shares advice as an Occupational Therapist on how to redefine mental health in the workplace. Jenny is a lead psychiatric occupational therapist and an award-nominated mental health advocate, with extensive experience within the criminal justice sector. Her main areas of focus are workplace well-being, mental health and neurodiversity.

Also passionate about enhancing daily functioning, Jenny uses her mental health platform SASA to provide mental health assessments and encourage accessible resources, impacting hundreds of clients worldwide.

Jenny has made it her mission to share her knowledge as explored through facilitating workshops, podcasting and numerous other public speaking engagements across the world including a TEDx talk, 'How Far Can Your Empathy Go?' in collaboration with the NHS. She is invested in supporting the well-being of others and her credits include Cosmopolitan, The Independent, Metro and Refinery29. Together Gabby and Jenny covered: 💚 Learn how practical interventions like sensory-friendly boxes can create inclusive environments for those with sensory needs. 💚 How creating an open dialogue and providing support for those with specific needs, such as hard of hearing individuals, can improve accessibility in the workplace and event spaces. 💚 Why you need to aduit your talent pipeline and recruitment process 💚 Understand the importance of making well-being accessible to all individuals 💚 Book recommendations to help continue the learning about mental health

This month we are campaigning around Cultural Awareness and for our second episode, we are bringing understanding to the Islamic faith, featuring Natasha Butt's Journey Reverting to Islam, Muslim Inclusion and Misconceptions.

Natasha Butt is the Co-Founder & Recruitment Director of Expocast and with over 15 years of recruitment experience, she has been fortunate to work with some of the best talent in the events industry, specifically within exhibitions and conferences. In this conversation Diversity Alliance founder - Gabby and guest - Natasha covered:

🌈 Natasha's journey of reverting to Islam

🌈 Natasha's experience of inclusivity in the Islamic faith, new customs and traditions she has taken on

🌈 Preconceptions and misconceptions of the Islamic faith

🌈 What companies could be doing to include and support employees with a variety of different faiths and customs

🌈 What events should be doing to include and support attendees with a variety of different faiths and customs

🌈 Book recommendations to help continue the learning about the muslim faith

In this first edition of Diversity Alliance's Women's Month campaign "Building a Stronger Female Future", we are addressing defying the odds to live the life you want to lead and sharing how women can start to climb the career ladder, launch a business or go freelance.

This week Gabby Austen-Browne, the Founder of Diversity Alliance is in conversation with Natalie Duvall, Culture Manager at Red Bull and Co-Founder of March Muses,  the UK leaders in Christmas decorations of colour.

They covered;  

🌈  How Natalie set up her business March Muses

🌈 Performative allyship and why other businesses are failing with diversity 

🌈  The practicalities and challenges of launching a businesses 

🌈  Trying to access boardrooms, seeking Investment and Natalie's' winning appearance on Dragons Den 

🌈  Advice for women trying to move up the career ladder, go freelance or who want to launch a business  

Gabrielle Austen-Browne the Founder of Diversity Alliance is in conversation with Dermot Devlin a Disability Awareness Campaigner, activist and Founder of My Way Access.   

Dermot set up My Way Access back in 2009 - which is a recognised disability rights and disability blog, focused on ensuring disabled people have equal and inclusive rights across accessibility, services, and health.  In this conversation, we explore the purpose and mission behind My Way Access and how it's changing the lives of people with disabilities.  

Dermot also shares his experiencing speaking at the Harkin Summit in Belfast in June which just won ‘Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at a Conference’ at the Excellence Awards 2022 for the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO). 

In this episode Gabby Austen-Browne, Founder of Diversity Alliance is in conversation with Alasdair Moore the Co-Founder and Director of The Intrepid Collective.  Al is also on the Executive Committee for Checking-In, a network of LGBTQ+ professionals and their allies within the hospitality industry and plays rugby for the King’s Cross Steelers, the world’s oldest gay and inclusive rugby club. 

In this episode:

🌈 Alasdair shares his own experiences growing up as gay cis-gender male in the UK under the weight of Section 28 

🌈  What it takes to stay informed and be an Ally 

🌈  How he has increased his knowledge and awareness around  LGBTQ+ inclusion  

🌈  Practical advice and tips around the measures that event hosts and organisations can take to deliver a product or experience that includes all attendees, all guests and build stronger relationships with the LGBTQ+ community

🌈  PLUS why content is key! And why it needs to engage with event audiences in a more meaningful way, shining a light on genuine lived experience  

What can the events industry learn from the transgender community to improve understanding and lead with inclusivity? 

Founder of Diversity Alliance, Gabrielle Austen-Browne, is in conversation with Samantha Jayne Nelson, an Offshore Installation Manager at Shell.

They covered:

🌈  How we can be allies to the trans community

 🌈  How to involve allies in discussions around diversity, equity and inclusion 

🌈  Advice to C-suite and leadership on how they can contribute to inclusive workplaces for people from all backgrounds  

Event professionals have the opportunity to create inclusive and accessible events that truly reflect the diversity of communities 🤝

During Disability Awareness Month we took inspiration from activists, campaigners, and professionals who have been working tirelessly to make events and the events industry more inclusive.  Including:

✨ Engaging in co-creation and inclusive decision-making
✨ Learning from those with lived experiences 
✨ Creating events that truly meet the needs of all attendees

Gabrielle Austen-Browne the Founder of Diversity Alliance is in conversation with Lou Kiwanuka, the owner and founder of The Ops Nest. 

Lou is committed to developing mechanisms that develop people in events within the global business event operations sector.  Offering face-to-face and online training, community, consultancy and the opportunity to collaborate with the best minds in the business.  The Ops Nest brings organisers, contractor and venues together.   

In this episode, Lou shares her journey into building the The Ops Nest and her family dynamic which has shaped her purpose personally and professionally.   We learn why The Ops Nest is focussing on accessibility and what they have been doing to highlight this through various resources, training, talks and groups. Lou shares the positive change that has come about by identifying and addressing ‘Opstacles' that create solutions for accessibility in the events industry.  

Gabrielle Austen-Browne the Founder of Diversity Alliance is in conversation with conversation with Ryan Curtis-Johnson the Director of Communications at The Valuable 500.  In this episode they discuss, what the events industry needs to do if it wants to be truly accessible for people with disabilities. 

They talk about the negative stigma around people feeling comfortable and confident enough to disclose their disability, especially within business. The reasons why companies and events aren't taking accessibility seriously. How to make accessibility fit into event budgets and why it's important to educate ourselves around disability to be fully informed and the importance of disability representation. 

TRIGGER WARNING: This audio contains sensitive content talking about suicide and suicide prevention.

Gabrielle Austen-Browne the Founder of Diversity Alliance is in conversation with Mike McCarthy, a former BBC and SKY News Journalist, and presenter. 

Mike shares how the death of his son, Ross has spurred him on to co-found of The Baton of Hope, the biggest suicide awareness and prevention campaign the UK has ever seen.  

Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the country. Mike and Gabby's conversation centres around the support required to reduce this heartbreaking yet avoidable statistic.

Trigger Warning: This audio contains sensitive content talking about suicide and suicide prevention. 

Gabrielle Austen-Browne the Founder of Diversity Alliance is in conversation with Tom Fisher the Head of Sector Marketing Operations at Clarion Events. In this raw, honest and vulnerable conversation - Tom shares being diagnosed with severe depression and bipolar, and by how opening up on social media he has impacted 200+ lives through the power of online videos.  

In this episode we discuss how to listen to and communicate with people who are suicidal, feeling down or just not feeling themselves.  The importance of leading with empathy, vulnerability and compassion in the workplace, and what other organisations can do to support men's mental health.  Finally, for this campaign for Honouring Men Month we learn how to support and empower men in the events industry.  

If you need someone to talk to please talk to these recommended charities: 

🔵 Men's Minds Matter mensmindsmatter.org  

🔵 Mind mind.org.uk  

🔵 Andy's Man Club #ItsOkayToTalkandysmanclub.co.uk  

🔵 Samaritans samaritans.org  

🔵 Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) https://www.thecalmzone.net/

Gabrielle Austen-Browne the Founder of Diversity Alliance is in conversation with Josh King the VP of Growth at emc3.  In this conversation they discuss how asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness and how to manage life and work when you are constantly on go.  Plus how inclusive cultures can help teams to thrive.  

Josh is an experienced marketer, creative and growth strategist who has worked with some of the world’s most innovative and influential brands over the last decade including LinkedIn, Google and HubSpot.   

During the interview Josh mentioned some books that have motivated and inspired him.  

Here they are for your reference.  

1. Inbound Marketing by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah  

2. Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger  

3. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy  

4. Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek   

5. How to win friends and influence people & How to stop worrying and start living by Dale Carnegie    

Gabrielle Austen-Browne the Founder of Diversity Alliance is in conversation with Lowell Cabual the Senior Account Manager at Showcase. 

Men's mental health issues are not just for men to talk about, it's an issue that impacts daughters, wives, mothers and sisters - it's an issue that we all need to shed light upon. It needs more support, empathetic, candour and shame free conversation.   

In this episode Lowell shares his journey from childhood to adulthood, as child form a migrant family and how this affected his identity. They discuss male and what lessons he has learnt.  They also explored leading with empathy, courage and kindness and how the stigma around people seeing empathy as a weakness in leadership, business and life needs to change.  How can we provide guidance and advice to for men in the events industry and how can people begin to notice and help men who are struggling?   

"You can be different and odd, but still be you and successful!" 

Gabrielle Austen-Browne the Founder of Diversity Alliance is in conversation with Michael Newton a Podcast Host and Manager at Cvent.  

Adversity really doesn't have to story and who better to talk to than Michael Newton. 

In this charming, charismatic and down to earth conversation, Michael shares his experience as a gay man in the corporate world.  He shares his journey after being diagnosed with HIV and battling with his own mental health and suicide,  to now living with HIV and thriving in life. 

A varied conversation, exploring the importance of intersectionality and how our communities need to focus on equality within our own groups to create meaningful change and impact.  

Gabrielle Austen-Browne, the Founder of Diversity Alliance is in conversation with David Ball the Chairman & Founder of Award Winning event agency, Brandfuel.  In this refreshing and open conversation, we learn how our family tree, our parents and our family influences who we are today as David shares his family (who were at the forefront of human rights movements) history. 

In this episode we follow David's journey that brought him to where he is today.  From mentorship, advertising experience, building connections to what it's like building an event agency and events community with a vision to have impact.  Learn the importance of giving a helping hand and why it's important to show empathy for new event professionals entering the industry to encourage them to thrive.  

PLUS he shares his personal insight into what needs to change to better promote and support EDI initiatives in the events industry. This is an episode not to be missed!

Gabrielle Austen-Browne the Founder of Diversity Alliance is in conversation with Romeo Effs, the CEO & Founder of Lumorus.  In this humorous, vulnerable and animated conversation, we learn who Romeo is and how his early years as a child in Jamaica and a passion for entrepreneurialism made him the 'man' he is today.  

In this episode they discuss intersectionality, what that really means for the workplace and how to create spaces for all ethnic origins to thrive!  They share more about what it means to have inclusivity in the workplace and the myths and contradictions that can skew views around intersectionality. 

This episode will make you laugh, reflect, feel inspired to follow your passion and vision and of course, celebrate Black excellence.   

Gabrielle Austen-Browne the Founder of Diversity Alliance is in conversation with Tinique Hay the CEO & Founder of Hay Events. 

In this empowering, inspiring and uplifting conversation Tinique, the go to event planner in the events industry, shares her journey into the events industry and her ambition into entrepreneurship. 

Together we dived deep into the true purpose of creating unique, impactful and ROI driven events and why event strategies are crucial in the creation of meaningful events. We find out what is next in the journey of Hay Events and the influence of the Fast Forward 15 programme on her journey.  

Gabrielle Austen-Browne the Founder of Diversity Alliance is in conversation with Jackson Mclarty the Founder of Black Eats London.  Together they explored the varying aspects of building a business in the hospitality industry. 

Jackson shares his journey into creating the UK’s first and only Black-owned restaurant directory and tells us how he creates inclusive spaces through the design of his events. This well rounded conversation shows how you can celebrate Black excellence with authentic leadership, transparency and through the power of community.  

#EP4  “Black speakers are not just for Black History Month”

Welcome to this series of bitesized episodes in collaboration with the Diverse Speaker Bureau, where in honour of BHM we showcase some of our amazing Black speakers.

We advocate that Black speakers should not just be wheeled out for Black History Month to talk about diversity and inclusion, racism or Black history, but that Black voices should be heard equally and that equity should be a year round mission.

If we are serious about delivering equity, we need to give real opportunities to Black speakers, pay them properly, and truly demonstrate representation across the board, all the time.

In this episode we talk:

• Why representation really works
• The power of words
• Identifying, celebrating and using all of our uniqueness as humans

AND How engage with BHM and beyond

• How to plan BHM
• The importance of including everyone in the BHM planning process
• The importance of having open conversations all year round
• Why a shared dialogue and listening to both sides of the story is important
• Why you don't need to see the whole journey or know the end point of the journey to equality
• How to just take action, when it comes to EDI work

#EP3  “Black speakers are not just for Black History Month”

Welcome to this series of bitesized episodes in collaboration with the Diverse Speaker Bureau, where in honour of BHM we showcase some of our amazing Black speakers.

We advocate that Black speakers should not just be wheeled out for Black History Month to talk about diversity and inclusion, racism or Black history, but that Black voices should be heard equally and that equity should be a year round mission.

If we are serious about delivering equity, we need to give real opportunities to Black speakers, pay them properly, and truly demonstrate representation across the board, all the time.

In this episode we talk:

• A different way of working - how does spirituality and human energy work in business?
• The Patagonia effect - how will values and culture outstrip strategic operations ?
• Did the African indigenous society have it right - what we can learn from their ways of working? 

How to work with Black speakers for BHM and beyond 

• Don’t wait to book (HINT:October is too late)
• Why you need to put budget and resource behind celebrating BHM right 
• Why it's important to have a BHM objective
• How to engage in the process 
• Why you should share company data and information with your Black speakers (infact, with all your speakers)
• Why this should be a year round conversation 
• Why you need to build a roster of diverse speakers

#EP2  “Black speakers are not just for Black History Month”

Welcome to this series of bitesized episodes in collaboration with the Diverse Speaker Bureau, where in honour of BHM we showcase some of our amazing Black speakers.

We advocate that Black speakers should not just be wheeled out for Black History Month to talk about diversity and inclusion, racism or Black history, but that Black voices should be heard equally and that equity should be a year round mission.

If we are serious about delivering equity, we need to give real opportunities to Black speakers, pay them properly, and truly demonstrate representation across the board, all the time.

In this episode we talk:

Intersectionality and equality intro

• Being Black AND Neurodivergent
• How to recognise and harness your special skills
• What happens when you apply for 1000 jobs
• Writing a book when dyslexic and publishing a book with no money
• Building a mindset for success
• Investing in yourself and building your personal brand
• Why paying Black speakers is important

“Black speakers are not just for Black History Month”

Welcome to this series of bitesized episodes in collaboration with the Diverse Speaker Bureau, where in honour of BHM we showcase some of our amazing Black speakers.

We advocate that Black speakers should not just be wheeled out for Black History Month to talk about diversity and inclusion, racism or Black history, but that Black voices should be heard equally and that equity should be a year round mission.  

If we are serious about delivering equity, we need to give real opportunities to Black speakers, pay them properly, and truly demonstrate representation across the board, all the time. 

In this episode we talk:

• Being Black, Female and Queer

• Identity Politics 

• How the entertainment industry informs our biases (and how events can perpetuate these biases)

• Queer Identity

• Intersectionality

• Black Mermaids, Hobbits and Fairies

#EP1  TRAILER:

“Black speakers are not just for Black History Month”

Welcome to this series of bitesized episodes in collaboration with the Diverse Speaker Bureau, where in honour of BHM we showcase some of our amazing Black speakers.

We advocate that Black speakers should not just be wheeled out for Black History Month to talk about diversity and inclusion, racism or Black history, but that Black voices should be heard equally and that equity should be a year round mission.

If we are serious about delivering equity, we need to give real opportunities to Black speakers, pay them properly, and truly demonstrate representation across the board, all the time.

In this episode we talk:

• Being Black, Female and Queer

• Identity Politics

• How the entertainment industry informs our biases (and how events can perpetuate these biases)

• Queer Identity

• Intersectionality

• Black Mermaids, Hobbits and Fairies

In this episode we speak with Thomas Humphris, Human Resources Director at Informa Markets about the challenges of bringing DEI policies to life and the strategies needed to turn them into actions and deliverables.

In this episode we speak with Thomas Humphris, Human Resources Director at Informa Markets about the challenges of bringing DEI policies to life and the strategies needed to turn them into actions and deliverables.

In this weeks episode we discuss how leading companies are leveraging corporate social responsibility and social impact to create influence, engage employees, and drive meaningful change. Critical issues such as diversity, pay equity, social justice and climate change have made their way into the workplace and the corporate C-suite, and companies are being judged on the basis of their treatment of employees and customers, and their impact on social issues.

This conversation follows on from a panel discussion we had at International Confex on September 2021.  We catch up with Mark Webster,  Managing Director Give to Get, UK and Europe.  Give To Get is a specialist Social Impact agency which helps clients reach clients ESG/CSR goals, global clients include Cisco, AT&T Time Warner and Apple.  

Mark has spent his career in marketing, media and advertising. His career includes positions at various Publicis and WPP groups. In 2009 Mark founded Kameleon – a specialist content and partnerships agency where he led the business work and worked across Sony and RockCorps Globally, Danone as well as launching the National Citizen Service in the UK. Kameleon was acquired by the Be Heard group in 2017.    In 2019 Mark launched the European arm of Give to Get, a specialist Social Impact agency which helps clients reach clients ESG/CSR goals, global clients include Cisco, AT&T Time Warner and Apple.

To learn more about our audits and workshops, visit the website, https://www.diversityally.co.uk/ or pop us an email at Team@diversityally.co.uk

To learn more about our audits and workshops, visit the website, https://www.diversityally.co.uk/ or pop us an email at Team@diversityally.co.uk