Welcome to our Black Voices Amplified Storytelling Series proudly supported by Japan Airlines. Our series centres and amplifies Black British voices, illuminating their journeys which have brought them to where they are today.
Their identities and experience shape their stories. Our storytellers draw from their personal experience to explore unique perspectives as well as harness the power of storytelling to invite in empathy, compassion and courage. Their stories are not just a celebration of Black British lives, but a testament to their tenacity and indomitable spirit.
An Evening with Derek Derenalagi (He|Him) Living on Borrowed Time: from Battlefield to Track ‘n Field
Thursday 6 October 2022
19:00 to 20:00 (GMT+1) | Virtual
Derek served with pride in the Armed Forces as a combat soldier. His military experience career spanned 16 years and ended abruptly with a near-fatal injury in 2007 in which he not only lost 9 of his bank of brothers, but also both his legs. His journey to recovery has been physically, mentally, and emotionally gruelling. Derek shares with us how this life-changing event set him on a path which saw him representing Great Britain at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. He is also an Ambassador for Invictus Games and Help for Heroes.
An Evening with Nicholas Zikpi (He|Him) and Rochelle Wong (She|Her) GEN Z: Agents of Change
Thursday 20 October 2022
19:00 to 20:00 (GMT+1) | Virtual
Nicholas recounts his experience of racism as a young Black man growing up in the UK and realising, he was treated differently because of the colour of his skin. Entering the workplace, the racial disparities and lack of representation were obvious. He often felt shunned and side lined as there were no people of colour in senior leadership positions, and felt as though there was no one he could speak to that could relate. Stepping into the DE&I space has given Nicholas the agency to forge organizations as platforms for change.
Rochelle shares with us her journey through the education system – a system in which she struggled to express her true passionate self without being cast as the ‘angry Black woman’. As a Black Feminist, Rochelle explores what it means to be a Black woman studying and entering the workplace. Committed to addressing racism and challenging ideologies, she will not allow us to sit in our ignorance.
Our mission at Equality Leaders is to make DE&I your everyday, to drive sustainable and impactful change designed to create thriving futures for our businesses and communities.
Join us for Black History Month to ignite bold and inclusive conversations so that we may learn to do better.
We are committed to ensuring our events are accessible to everybody and therefore offer inclusive pricing. You are welcome to support our inclusive pricing with a voluntary contribution.