Celebrating UK Black History Month with Davi Chikasha-Auld and Eni Kusamotu

From their early experiences in payments to their leadership roles within the Black Community at Checkout.com, Davi Chikasha-Auld and Eni Kusamotu have consistently demonstrated a passion for innovation and impact. As influential voices in their fields, they’re shaping the future of payments and championing diversity. We recently spoke with them about their career journeys, the significance of their work, and their commitment to celebrating Black excellence at Checkout.com and beyond.

Path To Payments?

Davi’s journey in finance began at 19 when she moved to the UK from Zimbabwe. Over two decades, she advanced through roles in financial control in the first half of her career all the way through to business partnering, at companies like Vocalink, Mastercard, and Paysafe. Her interest in the shift from traditional card-present to digital payments drew her to Checkout.com. “Payments is a space I’m excited and comfortable in and working for a digital only player like Checkout.com is very enthralling at this stage of the journey.” Now, as Director of Strategic Planning, Davi collaborates with Tech and Product leaders to help shape Checkout.com’s long-term financial direction and overall business strategy.

For Eni, finance was a clear calling. Growing up in Nigeria, he was inspired by financial experts on TV which led him to the UK to pursue qualifications in statistics and finance, “I used to see the cool guys in suits on TV. And they were financial analysts or lawyers. My dad's a lawyer, and I didn't want to be a lawyer, so I chose finance.” He held roles in management accounting and commercial analysis before entering the payments industry at Visa, where he gained deep insights into digital payments. Checkout.com approached him at a pivotal time in its growth, and he was drawn to the opportunity to help shape revenue and billing operations. Today, Eni is Director of Revenue Accounting and Billing and oversees the company’s revenue accounting and leads key projects to refine finance operations.

A Day in the Life??

Davi’s typical day involves close collaboration with teams across the company, where she ensures that hiring strategies and capacity planning assumptions are aligned with strategic objectives. Her role requires a balance of strategic decision support for example providing data driven insights to inform major business decisions and hands-on operational work - where her team helps track financial KPIs as well as evaluating budgets to forecasting business performance. Her expertise is instrumental in aligning Checkout.com’s financial strategies with its ambition to lead the payments sector.

Eni’s day-to-day work is just as dynamic, leading a team responsible for revenue and billing operations. A major focus for him right now is enhancing the company’s transactional ledger system—a crucial tool in maintaining efficient financial processes. He also works closely with the billing team to streamline invoicing and payment tracking, ensuring that financial operations are seamless for Checkout.com’s clients. His ability to contribute to these major projects, while also attending to day-to-day operations, makes him a key player in maintaining the company’s financial health.

The thing I love about working in the payments industry is just the fact that it’s constantly evolving - and only the strongest and most agile survive.

Davi expresses her enthusiasm for the payments sector, particularly at Checkout, highlighting the multitude of opportunities for growth and innovation. She reflects, "The thing I love about working in the payments industry is just the fact that it’s constantly evolving - and only the strongest and most agile survive. There’s so much opportunity to disrupt, gain market share and shine as best in class against our competitors in digital." For her, the industry is not just about past successes but also about the potential that lies ahead: "We've got a lot of big wins, and one of the boldest but well thought out strategy for 2025 and beyond, it is an enthralling time to be a part of this journey, and we are just getting started!"

Eni echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the complexity and learning opportunities within the payments space. He notes, “The payments industry is highly complex, and it has different facets to it. There’s so much to learn and to always continuously improve.” He recalls how, contrary to traditional economic principles, "Regardless of what the economy is doing, payment volumes, clicks and transactions keep going up."?

The Importance of Black History Month

It’s a celebration of the fact that we're here, and we're still showing up.

As leaders of the Checkout.com Black Community, both Davi and Eni emphasize the critical role of Black History Month in recognizing the achievements and contributions of Black individuals within the company and broader society. This month is not just a time for reflection; it serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, strength, and significant impact that Black leaders have made in various fields.

Eni describes Black History Month as a time to "celebrate Black achievers, to educate peers, and even ourselves on what we can achieve, regardless of our background and our ethnicity." He highlights the importance of sharing stories and acknowledging the struggles and triumphs that have shaped the narratives of Black individuals throughout history. "It’s an opportunity to highlight figures who have paved the way for future generations," he states, emphasizing that education about these contributions can inspire a sense of pride and motivation within the community.

Davi agrees, noting that Black History Month is a celebration of resilience and progress. “It’s a celebration of the fact that we're here, and we're still showing up. We've still got heroes among us. There's so much to celebrate.”

As part of Checkout.com Black History Month celebrations, the Black Community hosted a live fireside chat and Q&A session with British athlete Sir Mo Farah, who joined via Zoom to share insights into his athlete mindset and answer questions from the audience. This was a great way to bring the company together, celebrating Black leaders and fostering an inspiring discussion on resilience and success.

Overcoming Stereotypes

Eni acknowledges that the prevailing narratives can overshadow the accomplishments of many. “It’s crucial to challenge these stereotypes,” he asserts. “By sharing positive stories and experiences, we can redefine the narrative and show what is truly possible.”

Davidzo adds that honoring Black history should not be limited to a single month but should be an ongoing commitment. She emphasizes the need to foster an inclusive environment where diverse voices are heard year-round. “Celebrating Black History Month is important, but the real work happens in our everyday actions,” she explains. By promoting diversity and inclusion within their teams and initiatives, they believe they can contribute to lasting change.

Community Goals

They both believe that a key priority is to provide more events and opportunities that foster education, not just for the Black community but for allies as well. This approach is essential for building a strong sense of community and their mission of breaking down barriers.

However, Eni notes that a significant challenge lies in the current lack of data and metrics needed to measure progress effectively. "We need to gather data within the community and seek organizational support to help us with this," he explains. By focusing on metrics, Eni aims to better understand the employee journey from the Black community—from attracting talent to navigating the employee lifecycle.

Davi? highlights that having these metrics will be crucial in assessing community engagement and demonstrating the impact of their initiatives. "It will help us communicate the journey we've been on since launching this community and show how members are feeling the benefits in their day-to-day lives," she adds.

Eni expresses excitement about potential initiatives like reverse mentoring and direct mentoring, which can significantly support Black talent within Checkout. Additionally, there’s a push to incorporate measurable recruitment goals for Black individuals, which he sees as a vital step toward influencing the company’s key stakeholders to prioritize these initiatives. Eni highlights, “We have to be proactive in our approach to diversity. It’s not just about bringing in diverse talent but also ensuring they have a seat at the table and their voices are valued.” By pushing for systemic change within organizations, they hope to create a ripple effect that transforms the industry and opens doors for others.

Leveraging Your Identity as a Strength

Don’t let your background define your capabilities. Bring your whole self to work. Bring your flamboyance, your color, the way you speak. Bring everything.

Both Eni and Davi emphasize the importance of not letting your background or identity serve as a barrier to success. “Don’t let your background define your capabilities,” Eni advises. “Bring your whole self to work. Bring your flamboyance, your color, the way you speak. Bring everything. Don't be afraid, because you always leave a mark.”

Reflecting on advice from an ally that shifted his mindset, Eni shares: “You actually have an advantage because of your background. Your unique voice and perspective make you memorable in a sea of candidates.” He believes that authenticity leaves a lasting impact, making candidates stand out in a competitive hiring landscape.

Davi echoes Eni's sentiment, highlighting that being authentic is not just beneficial but essential. “Come in ready to run fast and be agile - at Checkout.com you need to bring your best work - be your authentic self, and do your best work. Your unique background is a superpower that can drive innovation and contribute to the company’s mission,” she states. “We need more people from diverse backgrounds to join us and help take Checkout.com to the next level,” she emphasizes. The company thrives on the diverse experiences of its employees, and their contributions are crucial in driving the organization forward.?

Inspiring Change?

We need to ensure that young people see themselves in roles they aspire to.

Davi and Eni’s insights not only illuminate their passion for the payments industry but also underscore the importance of representation and education. They recognize that their roles enable them to inspire others, particularly young Black professionals looking to enter the industry. By sharing their experiences and advocating for change, they aim to pave the way for future generations. “It’s about creating pathways for others,” Eni states. “We need to ensure that young people see themselves in roles they aspire to.”

As advocates for continuous education and awareness, Davi and Eni encourage their peers to engage in conversations about diversity and inclusion, not just during Black History Month but throughout the year. Their voices are vital in shaping a more inclusive future within their field, inspiring others to embrace their identities and drive change.?

Learn more about life at Checkout.com ?? https://www.checkout.com/life-at?