In this episode "Race to the Top" I had an enlightening conversation with Sim Sanni, an independent advisor at the John Lewis Partnership and one of their first black female store managers. Sim shared her unique upbringing, growing up between London and Nigeria, and how it shaped her identity and sense of belonging. We discussed the challenges of being a minority in various contexts, even when she physically resembled the majority. Sim reflected on the weight of being a role model and the import...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 19
In this episode of Race to the Top, I had the pleasure of speaking with Glyn Blaize, COO of Lafosse, who shared his remarkable journey as a person of colour in East London. Glyn opened up about his health challenges stemming from COVID-19 and the incredible support he received from his community, which restored his faith in humanity. He discussed the importance of education and the strong work ethic instilled by his Windrush-generation parents. Glyn reflected on his career in recruitment, emphas...
Mar 21, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 23
In this episode of ;Race to the Top, I sit down with Delroy Corinaldi, executive director and co-founder of the Black Footballers Partnership. We dive into the critical issue of the lack of representation of black players in management roles within football, a topic that Delroy passionately addresses. He shares how a casual conversation about Darren Moore's sacking at West Brom ignited his commitment to tackling institutional racism in the sport. Delroy emphasises the importance of data, reveali...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 22
In this episode of "Race to the Top," I had the joy of catching up with my friend and collaborator, Dr.Stacy Moore, founder of Inner Circles and a passionate and brilliant psychologist. We discussed her fascinating journey growing up in Kingsheath, Birmingham, as a person of colour in the 1980s, and how her Jamaican heritage shaped her identity. Stacy shared her experiences in education, highlighting the importance of community and authenticity in both schools and workplaces. We discussed the ch...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of Race to the Top," I had a brilliant conversation with Sam Kasumu, a prominent social entrepreneur and former senior special advisor to the Prime Minister. We explored his unique journey from growing up in Barnet, London, to navigating the complexities of civil society at Number 10. Sam shared insights on his role in addressing significant issues like the Windrush scandal and the pandemic impact on communities. We discussed his experiences as a young Black man in a predominantl...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 20
In this episode of "Race to the Top," I had the pleasure of speaking with Frank Starling, a dynamic leader in the realm of creativity and diversity. We kicked off our conversation by exploring the Cannes Lions Festival, where Frank plays a key role in celebrating marketing and brand communications while emphasising the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in fostering innovation. Frank shared his personal journey growing up in Hackney, East London, and the challenges he face...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 18
In this episode of Race to the Top, I got to have a bit of a fanboy moment chatting to Janine Irons, who is the CEO and Co-founder Of Tomorrow's Warriors (TW). TW is the most incredible talent development agency with a focus on black and female talent and those facing socio economic barriers. Young artists developed by the organisation have gone on to be nominated for numerous awards and in 2023, The Ezra Collective, who emerged from TW, actually won the Mercury music Award. In this conversation...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 10
In this episode of "Race to the Top" I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with the legendary filmmaker Charles Burnett. Picture this: a young Charles navigating the vibrant yet segregated streets of 50s and 60s Los Angeles, where jazz clubs thrived and kids rode bikes like they were training for the Tour de France—minus the spandex, of course! Charles shared stories that were both heart- wrenching and hilarious, like the time a teacher told him he wouldn’t amount to anything—classic motivatio...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 13
In this episode of "Race to the Top" I had the privilege of speaking with Sir Trevor Phillips, a prominent figure in the fight for racial equity. Trevor shared his remarkable journey, highlighting his extensive career as a writer, TV producer, and advocate for equality. We delved into the significance of role models, where Trevor emphasised the importance of having multiple role models that reflect achievable pathways rather than unattainable ideals. Trevor's unique upbringing, having spent sign...
Jan 24, 2025•57 min•Ep. 12
In this episode of "Race to the Top," I had the pleasure of speaking with Tolu Farinto, a dynamic individual with a passion for music and a commitment to making a positive impact. Tolu shared insights into his upbringing in South EastLondon, highlighting the importance of music and mentorship in shaping his journey. He discussed his ventures, from starting "The Opinion UK" inspired by Jamal Edwards to founding "Limitless Future Achievements" and the "Great British DiversityExperiment."Tolu empha...
Aug 30, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 8
Join us in this enlightening episode of Race to the Top as we delve into Damian Thompson's remarkable journey. From his early days in Barbados to navigating the challenges of assimilation and institutional racism in the UK, Damian shares his insights on authenticity, determination, and success. Discover how Damian's unique upbringing and unwavering sense of self have shaped his career path, leading to significant milestones and valuable lessons along the way. Tune in for a candid conversation on...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 7
Welcome to the latest episode of "Race to the Top" with Oke Eleazu! In this episode, Oke interviews Angela Jain, Director of Non-Scripted for ITV Studios. They discuss her journey in the television industry, breaking barriers, and the importance of diversity in leadership roles. Angela shares her experiences growing up in South London, her passion for the arts, and the significant steps she took to achieve success in a predominantly non-diverse industry. Join Oke and Angela as they delve into to...
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 6
Welcome to the latest episode of "Race to the Top" with Oke Eleazu! In this episode, Oke sits down with Becky Royle, Partner and Practice Head at search firm, Odgers Berndtson to discuss her journey in the industry, the impact of social mobility on her career, and the role of race in her professional experiences. Becky shares insights on the importance of authenticity, mentorship, and finding the right organizational fit. She reflects on setbacks, the value of honest feedback, and the significan...
Aug 09, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 5
In this episode of "Race to the Top," host Steph Pearce-Power, former Communications Director at MAC Cosmeticsshares her inspiring journey of rising up in the beauty industry, navigating challenges related to race...most notably her hair (!!), and transitioning to a career in screenwriting. From growing up in Surrey to facing setbacks and making pivotal career decisions, Steph's story is one of resilience and determination. Join the conversation as she discusses the impact of race, gender, and a...
Aug 01, 2024•58 min•Ep. 4
In this episode of "Race to the Top," we talk to Dr. Paula Franklin, former Chief Medical Officer at Bupa, about her life experiences, including her multicultural upbringing in Hackney, working as a doctor in Barbados, and transitioning to public health in the US. She discusses the importance of resilience, the impact of race on her career, and the complexities of navigating different healthcare systems around the world. She also touches on the significance of diversity in healthcare settings an...
Jul 26, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 3
In this episode we talk to Claire Linney, Global Strategy Director at Unilever about her journey from a small village in the Hampshire to being a leader at one of the biggest companies in the world. http://www.clairelinney.com/
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 2
In this episode we talk to Raj Tulsiani. CEO of Green Park, the search business that focuses on diverse candidates. In this wide ranging interview Raj talks about the difficulties growing up in the Eighties when racism was much more overt and how prejudice was clear in his early career. Raj also talks about how important it is to understand and know the rules of ‘the game’ if you want to progress, especially as a person of colour.
Jul 12, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 1
