Jermaine Balfourth, Creative Director at OLIVER Agency and founder of BLACQ Space, joins Alicia for an inspiring conversation about his journey and the pivotal moments that shaped his path. Together, they discuss how early experiences influenced his career, the transformative power of community, and the profound impact of celebrating others on both careers and culture. BLACQ Space is a platform dedicated to amplifying Black voices and celebrating the achievements of the community. In this episode, Jermaine takes Alicia through his evolution from creative professional to community leader. He shares how BLACQ Space became a hub for connection, collaboration, and empowerment, and why giving people their “flowers” is essential to breaking through self-doubt and fostering spaces where authenticity thrives. Alicia and Jermaine explore: ✅ The vision and story behind BLACQ Space✅ Jermaine’s journey—from college to breaking into the creative industry✅ Why community support is vital for personal and professional success✅ Overcoming challenges in the creative world✅ The importance of visibility and celebrating achievements   Connect with him here: linkedin.com/in/jbalfourth  

Ashleigh Ainsley is the co-founder of Colorintech, a leading non-profit on a mission to create a more inclusive tech industry by improving access, awareness, and opportunities for ethnic minorities. Under his leadership, Colorintech has grown into a major force in Europe’s tech scene, hosting BTF—one of the continent’s largest events for technologists—and partnering with global giants like Meta, Google, Apple, Netflix, and Bloomberg to deliver impactful programs for students and professionals alike. Ashleigh kicked off his career in strategy at Google, before taking on roles at high-growth start-up Qubit, corporate heavyweight KPMG, and later as a consultant on strategy and D&I initiatives. He’s also helped raise millions for philanthropic causes, cementing his role as a changemaker driving equity and innovation in the digital economy. In this inspiring episode, Alicia and Ashleigh discuss his unexpected journey into entrepreneurship, driven more by community need than personal ambition. From being approached by a university to help students enter tech, he and his co-founder, Dion, decided to create a sustainable non-profit that empowers the next generation of diverse tech talent. Ashley dives deep into the importance of class and race in shaping his experiences, offering insight into how shared life experiences can foster meaningful connections. Don’t miss this candid conversation about BTF, community, and breaking barriers in both tech and life.   Connect with him www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighainsley/ www.instagram.com/colorintech/

Lauren Dwyer is a People Experience Business Partner at The Orchard/Sony Music looking after UK, Europe and Africa. She has well over 10 years experience within Talent Acquisition and HR. Lauren is also the co-founder of SoulGirl Collective, a platform dedicated to collaboration, community building and knowledge sharing for women in music. Additionally, she is a classically trained violinist, singer/songwriter, previously opening at shows for Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, Jhene Aiko and Erykah Badu In this episode, Lauren shares her full circle moment — from navigating startups and song writing to overcoming creative block and finding her purpose at Sony. We explore how working in a music-led environment reignited her artistry and led to the creation of Soul Girl Collective, a powerful community of over 100 women in music. In this Episode Alicia and Lauren speak on: Facing workplace discrimination and how to deal with it Building safe spaces for female creatives The future of UK R&B and industry barriers Why collaboration > competition The push for a Code of Conduct in music, inspired by the Misogyny in Music Report Plus a special rendition of an old school classic "What You Won't Do for Love" (1979) You do not want to miss this! Connect with Lauren https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-dwyer-33156998/Follow @soulgirlcollective to get involved

Rebecca Levy, the powerhouse who traded stilettos for sneakers and PR for People Operations, becoming a driving force at sustainable fashion platform Depop.  In this captivating episode, Rebecca takes us on her remarkable journey from the vibrant streets of San Antonio, Texas, to leading People, Culture and Impact at one of London's most innovative fashion-tech companies. She shares her fascinating path from writing fan letters to fashion designer Anna Sui to transforming workplace culture within her industry. Join Rebecca, as she shares her inspiring career journey and personal reflections. Rebecca's story is a masterclass in authentic leadership, cultural identity, and the power of embracing change. Key moments include: The surprising pivot from fashion design dreams to PR and ultimately HR Navigating visa challenges and building a career in London Leading culture initiatives at Depop  Balancing motherhood, career, and personal style (yes, those heels became sneakers!) Preparing for an enviable one-month sabbatical in South Africa Perfect for aspiring leaders, culture enthusiasts, and anyone interested in authentic stories of career transformation. Join us for honest conversation about representation, resilience, and redefining success in the modern workplace. Connect with her https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-jordan-levy Whether you're contemplating a career change, facing impostor syndrome, or simply love a good story of perseverance, Rebecca's insights on building genuine connections and fostering inclusive workplace cultures will leave you inspired and ready to take action.

Andy Davis is on a mission to transform investing and empower Black entrepreneurs. This week's episode brings you an intimate conversation with Andy Davis, founder of 10x10 and former Director of Backstage Capital London. This isn't your typical "started from the bottom" story. Andy takes us on a raw, unfiltered journey through his unique path to success - no university degree, no corporate ladder, just pure hustle and determination shaped by his Sierra Leonean mother's entrepreneurial spirit. A leading angel investor and advocate for Black founders, Andy’s journey is one of resilience, innovation, and collective growth. As the Founder of 10x10, Andy has dedicated his career to breaking barriers and building opportunities for underrepresented communities. In this deeply personal episode, Andy opens up about: Why he's committed to transforming the European tech investment landscape Building the ground breaking 10x10 Fund from scratch The profound loss that shaped his urgency for success at age 17 Real talk about therapy, resilience, and maintaining mental health as a founder Practical strategies for democratising venture capital Perfect for your commute or morning walk, this episode is packed with actionable insights for founders, investors, and anyone passionate about creating lasting change in the investor space. If you enjoy this episode, leave us a rating and review to help other listeners find this valuable content!

Pashcan’el Mitchell is a name you need to know in the world of hairdressing. With over a decade of experience, Pash has transformed from a salon stylist to an award-winning hairstylist, creating iconic looks featured in Vogue, Wonderland, Spell Magazine, Viper, Schick Magazine and Black Hair & Beauty, as well as creating high end hair looks on set for video shoots and live shows. Starting his career in salons, he spent a number of years at Junior Green in Kensington, specialising in afro hair and solidifying his name in the scene. Part of the Avlon education team, his work speaks for itself as he continues to shake up the afro hair scene with his unwavering passion, talent and creativity. More recently, Pashcan’el was appointed lead educator for afro and textured hair across the Blue Tit salon group, running the training programme specific to this hair type.   In this episode Alicia and Pash discuss The evolution of hairdressing from traditional techniques to modern tools like YouTube, and the critical need for diverse skills in consultations and cultural awareness. Pash shares his journey from barbering to hairstyling, overcoming societal stigmas and finding his path with mentorship from Patricia Hope at Caprius Salon. Blue Tit London and its commitment to creating an inclusive, diverse space for both clients and stylists  The rich history of black hairdressing and the challenges within the industry, promoting the importance of understanding client demographics and cultural contexts.   Connect with Pash https://www.instagram.com/pashcanel/

Hosanna Hali, an accomplished Azure Specialist at Microsoft and the founder of The Tech Cornr joins the conversation with Alicia Richardson today. From her humble beginnings as a Computing and IT Management graduate to becoming a Solutions Engineer in Cybersecurity, Hosanna’s journey is nothing short of remarkable.  Since starting her career in technology over two years ago, Hosanna has been using her experience to help guide, mentor and inspire the next generation of Women In Tech. Hosanna has participated in a number of Women In Tech Initiatives and in 2020 was highlighted as one of the ten influential Black British women who code and break down barriers by People of Color In Tech.  Using her platform, The Tech Cornr, Hosanna aims to inform, inspire and empower her audience by sharing her story, tech resources and career advice across a number of social media platforms. Hosanna’s goal in life is to help open the tech doors to more women and girls. In this Episode Alicia and Hosanna dive into Hosanna’s Growth Journey: her inspiring path from Congo to the UK, excelling in business, computing, and a thriving career at Microsoft. Climbing the corporate ladder from Technology Strategist to Cybersecurity Why seeking out sponsorship from senior leaders who can actively advocate for you can help with rapid career progression Hosanna highlights the power of networking, mentorship, and self-belief in overcoming corporate hurdles and imposter syndrome. Balancing Passions: She candidly discusses juggling her career with content creation and her vision to expand The Tech Corner through webinars and impactful events.   Connect with Hosanna here LinkedIn: (99+) Hosanna Hali | LinkedIn Instagram: www.instagram.com/thetechcornr/

Sabrina Chevannes is the founder of N0BS - a members’ club for highly ambitious entrepreneurs, which also has an in-house creative agency – the No Bullsh*t Agency. Sabrina is an award-winning creative, having led her agency for over a decade and having the privilege to work with high profile clients such as NATO, Sony and the NHS.   She has been recognised by the British Interactive Media Association as one of the top 100 creatives to watch for 2 years in a row.  Sabrina is also an International Chess Master and an international poker player. She played chess for England and competed in multiple Chess Olympiads, and has recently competed in two European Poker Tours in Cyprus and Prague.  As well as all this, Sabrina runs TEDxShoreditch and is an international public speaker herself, gracing the stage in 12 different countries. She is also the self-development leader at Forbes, a bestselling author, a podcaster and an MBA lecturer.  Her early career; the challenges and triumphs of running a global business,  She offers a unique insights into what it takes to build a no BS community and thrive in competitive industries. Her other life endeavours such as being an International Chess Master   When she’s not working, she’s cuddling up to her Chow Chow, Bella. Connect and Learn more about Sabrina here: https://sabrinachevannes.com/ sabrina@sabrinachevannes.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinachevannes/?originalSubdomain=uk  

Ola, the founder of All Things Money, created the online platform to help adults navigate the financial challenges of adulthood. The platform was launched in 2020 during the first lockdown, following her journey of self-teaching how to invest in the stock market. Feeling overwhelmed by the process, she quickly realised how little is taught about investing and other crucial personal finance topics in schools and universities.   Motivated by this gap in education, Ola began sharing personal finance tips on social media to help young people manage their finances effectively. Since then, All Things Money has grown into a thriving online community of over 24,000 members, and even hosts a personal finance podcast.   In addition to the online content, Ola offers interactive personal finance workshops to colleges, universities, and organisations, aiming to address the financial literacy gap both in the UK and beyond. Passionate about making personal finance more engaging, she is on a mission to transform the way it is perceived.   In this episode, Alicia and Ola discuss: "All Things Money": A personal finance platform for young adults, started during the COVID-19 lockdown. Ola’s career shift and growing her platform due to the pandemic The launch of "All Things Money" in April 2020 Investing Basics that Ola learned The growth of All Things Money Ola’s experience of overspending The importance of personal interactions in financial education Future Aspirations Connect and Learn more about Ola here: https://www.instagram.com/allthingsmoney_?igsh=MWs1NXA1amN6MW04NA==   https://linktr.ee/allthingsmoney_    

Victoria Omobuwajo, a visionary entrepreneur, is the driving force behind Sunmo, a brand that redefines health-conscious living with its innovative product range.  With a remarkable journey showcasing her tenacity, creativity, and business acumen, Victoria has made a significant impact on both the retail and direct-to-consumer industries.  Victoria's dedication to sustainability and ethical sourcing sets Sunmo apart in the industry. By carefully selecting ingredients from local suppliers and implementing eco-friendly packaging practices, Sunmo has become a champion of environmental responsibility. In an exciting development, renowned chef Gordon Ramsay recognised the immense potential of Sunmo and decided to join forces with Victoria as her business partner. His culinary expertise and strategic guidance have propelled Sunmo to new heights, solidifying its position as an industry frontrunner. As Sunmo continues to captivate palates and revolutionise the food industry, Victoria Omobuwajo remains an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, proving that determination, creativity, and a genuine love for what you do can truly shape the world.   In this Episode Alicia and Victoria discuss:  Her health journey and the motivation behind starting Sunmo. The factors that led her investors to choose and support her. The natural ingredients that contributed to curing her eczema. The process involved in launching Sunmo at Selfridges. What made her brand stand out at their first exhibition. The value and significance of both online and offline branding. Her experience of winning £150K on the Gordon Ramsay show. Connect and Learn more about Victoria and Sunmo here: https://uk.sunmosnacks.com/  https://uk.linkedin.com/in/victoria-omobuwajo-092b1884

Johanne Penney is the Founder & CEO of Amp Up Your Voice, a progressive anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion consultancy that partners with modern and progressive brands and businesses who are on their journey to authentically diversify their business and who want to be true advocates. Working up to and mainly at C-Suite level Johanne helps drive real change and elevates brands by ensuring inclusion and belonging and to authentically be part of the Racial Equity change movement. She does this through a range of media: providing expert DEI consultancy services, devising long-term DEI strategies and delivering high energy, unique, educational engagement sessions. She is also a public speaker and mentors’ organisations that want to change and proactively champion DEI. Johanne also coaches individuals who need support around DEI, to navigate and grow their careers and those who are affected by systemic barriers to success. She prides herself on being a positive disruptor and is also a culture writer and author of the eBook ‘The Road Map to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ - a guide on how to take positive action and drive inspirational change. In this episode Jo and Alicia discuss: The upbringing within the Jehovah's Witness community Her journey discovering Caribbean culture Overcoming discouragement from pursuing higher education Experiencing extreme overt racial discrimination and its role in launching her business The mission of Amp Up Your Voice in assisting organisations www.ampupyourvoice.com or download the eBook: https://lnkd.in/e92iAYGB  IG: @ampupyourvoice LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanne-penney-2114511a/

Crosby Enninful is the founder of Egbenn Accountancy Services and a Chartered Accountant. He is 32 years old and has over 12 years experience in finance and accounting. He has been running is own firm for 5 years and works with small and medium size businesses dealing with all areas of accounting. In this episode, Alicia and Crosby delve into: The shift from managing contracts to managing a business Overcoming and emerging from periods of depression Exploring the significance of faith in Crosby's personal and professional journey Strategies for optimising time management to achieve personal and professional goals Prioritising relationships over professional pursuits   You can connect with him on: Email: info@egbenn.co.uk Instagram: @egbennaccountancy LinkedIn: Crosby Enninful (FCCA) Website: www.egbenn.co.uk

Arsema is an experienced specialist tech recruiter and founder of an independent recruitment agency, hire|py. As a champion to see a more inclusive tech scene, this passion also led to Arsema launching the Black Recruiters Network, a community network to champion Black excellence within Recruitment & Talent Acquisition.    In this episode, Alicia and Arsema delve into a range of intriguing topics, including: Arsema's transition from the field of Chemical Engineering to a successful career in recruitment The profound influence her parents had on her entrepreneurial journey The incredible opportunities that have opened up since Alicia started BRN Expert tips for optimizing your LinkedIn profile and crafting an impressive CV The fascinating story behind the inception of BRN and what exciting prospects lie ahead The immense power and impact of building a strong and supportive team Please see more about Arsema here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arsema-fessehazion/    Book in a Linked In / CV service here -  https://www.linkedin.com/company/mylinkedincv/about/    See more about Black Recruiters network here - https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-recruiters-network/   

Bukola Akinfaderin, Engineering Manager at Carvana, has accumulated over 20 years experience working in Information Technology. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Wesleyan University, CT and a Master’s of Science in Information Systems from New Jersey Institute of Technology.   Bukola has most notably been recognised for the creation of apps that focus on underrepresented groups. Her first project was Jandus Radio, a mobile application/social network that aggregated over 250 radio stations, a forum/peer to peer chat with a focus on African content. Jandus Radio accumulated over 500,000 registered users.  She also launched Afrocast, a podcast aggregator for underrepresented content providers, Khin, a white label social community platform, and MyComplex, a community app for apartment residents.  Her most recent project is glowup app, a goal setting app for women that allows you to achieve your self-care goals with the support of a community. Bukola was named as Developer of the Month by Microsoft Africa in 2013. She has been featured on several tech publications including TechCabal, Otekbits, TechMoran, PulseTV Nigeria, Voice of America: Beyond the Unicorns of Silicon Valley, World Bank for their Female Tech Entrepreneurs initiative (infodev). She also won 2nd place in the Microsoft 9ja Apps, a competition which focused on rewarding innovative mobile apps focused on the Nigerian market. In this Episode, Alicia & Bukola discuss: Creating the first app to introduce Afrobeats to the US. Exploring the real process involved in app building. Discussing how trialing entrepreneurship can positively impact career trajectory. Understanding different code platforms and their purposes Emphasising the importance of being confident in one's idea. Examining the challenges faced by Black women in accessing investment opportunities. The true benefits of using the glow up app See more about Bukola here: http://www.techcabal.com/girls-who-code-bukola-akinfaderin/ https://projects.voanews.com/beyond-the-unicorn/

Coodie Simmons is an American film director, screenwriter, cinematographer, and producer. Coodie started directing from his music video fo Kanye West, entitled "Through the Wire", which was nominated for a MTV Viewers Choice Award, and won a Source Award for Best Music Video of the Year. Coodie has continued his music video success directing "Two Words" and the third version of "Jesus Walks" off Kanye West's The College Dropout album, Pitbull's "Culo" video, Mos Def's "Ghetto Rock" video, Erykah Badu's controversial video "Window Seat" and most recently Lupe Fiasco's "Old School Love" video.  Coodie received acclaim for their ESPN 30-for-30 film, Benji (2012), a film about a high school basketball player who was tragically killed. In 2013 they directed Good Morning, a short film for American Family Insurance. Good Morning debuted at the 2013 American Black Film Festival. In 2022 Coodie released the documentary series jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy, Act 1 of which premiered on Netflix on February 16, 2022. In this episode, Alicia and Coodie delve into a variety of fascinating topics, including: Their experiences as tourists in Ghana and the cultural insights gained from the trip The artistry, story, and profound impact of Ernie Barnes Reflecting on their upbringing in Chicago and the harsh realities they faced The motivation behind Coodie's meticulous documentation of life moments The journey of losing everything and finding the strength to start anew The deep passion and purpose driving their Jeen-yuhs documentary project. Connect with Coodie here - https://www.instagram.com/coodierock/?hl=en  

Michelle De Leon is the founder and CEO of World Afro Day®, 15th September. A global day of celebration and liberation of Afro Hair and Identity, with an estimated reach of 1.5 billion. Michelle successfully combines her broadcasting career of 20+ years at ITV Good Morning Britain with leading World Afro Day CIC. She has overcome her own struggles with Afro hair and was inspired by her 8 year old daughter to set up the day of celebration. Since 2017, her work has influenced the UN, UK government, global brands, international media and major celebrities. Key highlights are the Workplace Hair Acceptance report 2023; contributing to the EHRC guidelines to prevent hair discrimination in schools 2022 and a speech at the United Nations in Geneva 2018. In this episode Alicia and Michelle discuss: The significance of recognising and healing from past traumas The inspiration behind Michelle's establishment of World Afro Day The journey involved in creating and growing the movement The importance of black women embracing their natural hair and the empowerment it brings Predictions and aspirations for the future of World Afro Day and its impact on society. Learn more about World Afro Hair - https://www.worldafroday.com/ Connect with Michelle here   

Sandra Adu is a design director, multidisciplinary design educator and cultural policy researcher, who has harnessed her myriad design talents over the sprawling decade of her illustrious design career. She has always associated herself with branding and design initiatives that have effectively fostered positive organisational growth and behavioural changes. She is the founder of Black Girls in Design and has over the years played a crucial role in helping agencies to deliver exceptional creative projects for a diverse and exciting client base across multiple platforms. Her journey as a designer began with a mission to help small businesses to fight their corner. Her notable clients have been Hsbc, Net-A-Porter, REN, L'Artisan Parfumeur, META, JP Morgan, and Puma.   In this episode Alicia and Sandra Discuss: The challenge raising a daughter as a single mum and attending uni The importance of stripping back culture habits to succeed  Why Leaders need to be coached  The value in design and career opportunities  How black girls in design will work with the education curriculum  Connect with Sandra here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-a-3a845237/

Jamelia Donaldson is the founder and CEO of TreasureTress — a monthly product subscription service for girls and women with kinky-curly hair and also the co-creator of The Teen Experience, a monthly workshop series which offers young black women to attend a series of personal development workshops, network with other like-minded individuals and be inspired by mature and successful women. Workshops to date have included creating vision boards and discussions about self-care.   Since launching in 2015, with a huge online community, and an active and thriving offline presence, Treasure Tress has proven that natural hair and black sisterhood can truly go hand in hand.    As a solution to the beauty industry’s difficulty connecting to their Black, female consumer in the UK, Jamelia added a consultancy arm to  TreasureTress as a way to guide brands in the US on the unique experience of the Black, UK natural hair consumer. Providing them with strategy, social, digital and influencer marketing.   Jamelia has been featured in Forbes, Buzzfeed, Good Housekeeping and Pride Magazine just to name a few.   In this episode Alicia and Jamelia discuss: Her experience as an intern in NYC  Studying 7 subjects at A level  Why she started Treasure Tress  How Treasure Tress can save black women 100s a year  Overcoming challenges; building a product based business at home  Winning over 100k work of TV ads & Billboard space  Learn more about Treasure Tress here - https://www.treasuretress.co.uk/    Connect with Jamelia Here - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jamelia-donaldson-73952237 

Tevin is the founder of 1000 Voices, a production company with a vision to eradicate all racial inequalities and inspire a generation of black British changemakers. He has a background in social entrepreneurship and currently works as a financial sales professional as well. Driven by his desire for a more equitable society for all, the 1000 Voices podcast is his first step towards realising his vision. Tevin is the founder and host of 1000 Voices, a podcast that interviews black British changemakers and aims to empower a generation of black British changemakers. With a background in social entrepreneurship and a current career as a financial sales professional, Tevin is driven by a desire to create a more equitable society for all. Through the 1000 Voices podcast, Tevin is working towards his long-term vision of eradicating racial inequalities and inspiring others to make a positive impact in their own communities and beyond.  In this episode Tevin and Alicia discuss:  Career Transitioning in a short time frame  Tevins near death health experience and his new view on life Wealth in sustainable fashion  The power on generational story telling Connect with Tevin here: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tevinkittoe  

Vanessa Lyall is a bubble tea enthusiast of Ghanaian-Scottish heritage, born in America and raised in London. When she’s not working as a Senior Account Manager at Coolr, she’s creating something including TikTok content, poetry and Zara wishlists. She is an advocate for good mental health and the proud president of the ‘every person should get therapy’ club.   In this episode Alicia and Vanessa discuss: Life in DC - Childhood & Changes Being Young Free and Fearless  Creative vs Professional - finding the perfect mix The realties of being an Influencer account manager  What makes Coolr an enjoyable place to work  Tips on applying for a job with Coolr Connect with Vanessa here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-lyall/  Apply for jobs at Coolr here - https://joinus.wearecoolr.com/jobs