Sustainable Inclusion & Black History Month Reflections

I'm usually all about sharing DE&I tips for our workplaces and events, but this month has been well - phew… all consuming, but in?lots of amazing ways...?

1. It’s been Black History Month and I've done everything from speaking and moderating panels, all the way through to hosting events.

2. I also attended the Be Inclusive Hospitality Spotlight awards and The UK Black Business Show.

3. And the first ever Diversity Alliance Event Assessment took place at the Rare Founders, London Demo Day?(event VLOG and case study coming soon).

So I don't think I would do this month justice if I didn't share my experiences and what I have learnt..

Rest assured, normal content resumes next month, but if you're keen to learn the different ways companies and individuals are celebrating and acknowledging BHM then keep reading!

In This Week's Newsletter:

?? Personal reflections on navigating Black History Month as an industry leader

?? Highlights from the Be Inclusive Hospitality Spotlight Awards and celebration of Black excellence

?? Key takeaways from the UK Black Business Show featuring insights from Dean Forbes, Steven Bartlett, and Afua Hirsch

?? Join our B Corp Workshop at Event Sustainability Live (November 21st)

?? WE NEED YOU! Exhibition Stand Assistant opportunity at ExCel Centre

?? Join me as I talk about Social Impact in Events at the Sustainable Events Show

?? Launch announcement! New online community for inclusive event design

The Weight and Wonder of Black History Month

As another Black History Month is coming to a close, I've been reflecting alittle on the emotional labour that comes with this period of heightened visibility and celebration.? Like many in the Black community, I have find myself juggling an increased number of speaking engagements, panel discussions, and diversity initiatives - all while managing my regular workload and trying to take care of my?wellbeing (which we know is a must for me).

Similar to Pride Month, we always seem to cram years of history, education, and celebration into just 30 odd days and to be honest, it can feel overwhelming.? While these focused celebrations are valuable, they sometimes overshadow actual truth - that actually our experiences, contributions, and challenges exist year round..

I knew this month was going to be hectic, so this year I tried to approach?BHM differently by prioritising sustainable engagement over trying to show up and be everywhere and everything all at once, I can't say I totally achieved that, but here are some ways I've tried to protect my energy:

?? Being strategic with commitments. So setting clear objectives for each engagement helped me to decide where I can make the most impact. Not every invitation needs a 'yes' (this is still a hard one for me, particularly when this work is also tied up in your business).?

????♀? Non-negotiable self-care. Daily yoga and meditation aren't luxuries for me - they're essential tools that keep me grounded, especially during high-demand periods. I didn't do either of them perfectly. Some days I literally managed 5 sun salutations in my bedroom and 2 mins of meditation on?the tube, but it was important for me to keep up some semblance of a routine.

???? Embracing authenticity. Sometimes, choosing rest over another panel appearance is the most honest form of self-advocacy. Our community's strength lies in sustainability, not burnout.

BUT... The conversations about Black excellence, challenges, and achievements shouldn't be confined to October. True allyship means consistent support, understanding, and action throughout the year and TBH I really don't see that happening in my industry…Supporting the Black community is an ongoing commitment. Even small actions can make a meaningful difference. The absence of support can be profoundly felt, and the Black community deserves to see sustained, genuine efforts from both businesses and individuals to create positive change.

Are you in??

Want to know how we can help you celebrate inclusion?and acknowledge awareness days and months??

From webinars and interactive workshops, to film clubs and ESG activities, to facilitated conversations and panel discussions, we'll craft a custom calendar of activities to engage your team.? Our experts will handle every aspect of event planning and execution - from designing the content, scripting impactful messaging to sourcing diverse suppliers and accessible venues.?

Partner with us to elevate your organisation's commitment to internal workplace inclusion and create experiences that inspire, educate, and celebrate everyone on your team.

Reach out to learn more [email protected]

A Powerful Day of Reclaiming Narratives ??

One of my fave events this month was the COREcruitment Ltd Black History Month event at the stunning Barbican Centre , where I had the honour of hosting and speaking. The whole event was everything I stand for, and the energy in the room was simply electric! ?

I shared my personal journey of transforming generational silence into empowerment - a story that ultimately led me to founding Diversity Alliance. But this wasn't about showcasing trauma, but about demonstrating how we need to be aware and mindful about intersectional experiences and how they shape who we are and how we show up in professional spaces.

Some powerful moments that really stood out to me were:

?? Lady Phyll's game-changing perspective - "When someone tells you NO, ask them what does a YES look like." This perfectly captures the persistence we need in driving equity forward.

????♀? The all-Black female panel that brought such depth and authenticity to discussions around leadership, representation, and community building.?

??? Watching Lorraine Copes highlight Black hospitality pioneers while emphasising the power of community mentorship was particularly inspiring.

???? The warmth and engagement from attendees who came to chat afterwards reminded me exactly why these spaces matter - they create genuine connections that extend far beyond a single month.

Massive thanks to Krishnan Doyle , Arnaud C., and the entire COREcruitment team for creating this powerful platform. And to the brilliant speakers - who each brought such unique insights and energy!

What resonates most with you about "reclaiming narratives" in professional spaces?

Share your thoughts in comments ????

#BlackHistoryMonth #DEI #ReclamingNarratives #Inclusion #Leadership #AuthenticLeadership

If you missed the UK Black Business Show and are now dealing with serious FOMO, here are my top 3 takeaways from the event that everyone needs to know:

The whole experience was actually phenomenal — amazing speakers, high energy, powerful sessions and valuable insights. The show was truly spectacular and I’d highly recommend grabbing your ticket for 2026, you don’t want to miss out!

So… without further ado, here are my takeaways:?

?? Long-term planning and reflection is crucial, Dean Forbes reminded us to look 30 days ahead, and back too, repeat for 3 months and even 5 years. Setting structured goals lets us step beyond daily tasks to stay focused on true business growth.

?? Confidence comes from our action! Steven Bartlett nailed it confidence builds from doing, not just hoping. Test yourself, gather proof and let that confidence grow. And remember: failure is just feedback.

?? Embrace your journey just like Afua Hirsch who shared her inspiring path from barrister to author to TV producer. Her story was raw, real and a call to embrace every chapter with purpose and resilience.

…and that’s just a glimpse of the insights shared. Want more?? Should I do a part two? Let me know in the comments.

#UKBlackBusinessShow #BusinessGrowth #ConfidenceInAction #EmbraceYourJourney #LeadershipInsights

?Two Events to Celebrate Diversity & Intersectionality in Hospitality ?? ?? ??

There are some more incredible, authentic conversations and celebrations in our industry I want to share. I had the privilege of being part of not one but TWO significant events that showcased the power of representation, recognition and intersectional consideration.?

First, the Be Inclusive Hospitality Spotlight Awards at M Restaurant in the heart of the city - with over 300 attendees, 60 finalists, and 15 winners enjoying great food, drinks, and music throughout the night. Watching exceptional Black and brown talent being celebrated in hospitality, food, and drink was deeply moving. These moments of recognition aren't just about awards - they're about visibility, inspiration, and showing the next generation what's possible. The Be Inclusive Hospitality community is special and doing a great job of facilitating this.

Next, I had the honour of moderating my third #BlackHistoryMonth panel for Checking-In LGBT+ Network In LGBT+ Network at Apex Hotels .

?? Exploring the intersection of LGBTQ+ and ethnic minority experiences in hospitality alongside incredible ERG leaders from 洲际酒店集团 and TUI led to such rich discussions.

Some key takeaways that resonated:

????♀? Sometimes "less is more" - creating intimate safe spaces for authentic conversations can have deeper impact than grand initiatives

???? The power of ERG collaboration - as the African proverb goes, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together"

I'll do a proper round up of this event in the near future, so stay tuned.

What initiatives have you seen that effectively address intersectional experiences in hospitality? Share below ????

#Hospitality #Inclusion #Diversity #ERG #Intersectionality #AuthenticLeadership

If you choose to not hire someone because of their background, it has an impact on people’s lives

If you choose to not work with inclusive catering suppliers, it has an impact on people’s lives

If your workplace is inaccessible to disabled employees, it has an impact on people’s lives

If your content is directed at only one subset of people, it has an impact on people’s lives

If you choose to have a sexist employee in your organisation, it has an impact on people’s lives

If you choose to ignore how your event impacts the local community and society as a whole, it has an impact on people’s lives

??♀? EVERY CHOICE HAS AN IMPACT.

And even more so in events, because events connect people from all walks of life (at least they are meant to) and as #EventProfs we need to be aware of social impact, value and sustainability and how our choices in events can affect real people’s lives.

So if you aren’t doing anything TOMORROW?you’ll want to come to the Sustainable Events Show and join my panel discussion with Charlotte Scotland at Connection Crew CIC, James Hunter at Encore UK and Moderated by Maeve Campbell (https://lnkd.in/erf2A5fc)

See you there ??

Via this link: https://lnkd.in/eMMuwhbD

We Need You! Exhibition Stand Assistant Opportunity - Event Sustainability Live 2024

Join Diversity Alliance at one of the UK's premier sustainability exhibitions and conferences! We're seeking an enthusiastic individual to support our exhibition stand over two days at Event Sustainability Live

Location: ExCel Centre, London,

Dates: November 20 & 21st 2024

Times: 10am - 4pm (both days)

Role Details:

?? Welcome visitors to our stand

?? Share basic information about our services

?? Collect contact details for follow-up meetings

?? Support Gabby’s workshop preparation

?? ￡70 per day compensation

Value for You:

?? Gain firsthand experience and knowledge around DEIA in events and the events industry

?? Network with fellow event professionals and business leaders

?? Develop your communication and engagement skills

?? Add valuable event experience to your CV

?? Receive a mentoring session from Diversity Alliance Founder, Gabby (to be booked after the event)

Diversity Alliance is a specialist consultancy serving the events and hospitality sector. We empower organisations to build inclusive cultures where everyone can thrive, both in their workplace and at their events. Through our expertise, we provide the knowledge, tools, and support needed to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) across all aspects of business operations and live events.

Our expertise includes:

?? DEIA Event Audits

?? DEIA event strategy development

?? Workplace culture assessments

?? DEIA Workshops

?? Inclusive leadership training

DM or reach out to [email protected] if you're interested

Would you pay just ￡55 to become a successful B Corp?

It's a pretty sweet deal, right? Especially if you're thinking about going down the B Corp path or want to polish up your approach. I'll be running a workshop that's tailor-made for event industry folks who are tackling the B Corp certification process. We're going to zero in on nailing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion bits, as well as the people requirements. Trust me, it's going to be super helpful if you're in this space!

The session will take place at Event Sustainability Live on Thursday, November 21st, from 11:15 to 12:45 so why not add this workshop in with your ticket to attend the show! Why not bring your team, your partners, and even your stakeholders whilst we are at it.

You will leave with:

?? Insights from a series of case studies from successful B Corp event companies where you'll discover how to turn DEI challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.

?? New learnings on how to assess your current practices, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies that align with both B Corp requirements and DEI best practices.

So if you are a B-Corp working group member, HR professional, sustainability officer, DEI lead or decision-maker who is committed to making a difference.

Come along to Event Sustainability Live and learn how to integrate DEI principles into your business operations and event experiences.

As I said it’s ONLY ￡55 TO RSVP via the following link ????

https://lnkd.in/e5kHnBhS

Be Part of the Future of Inclusive Events

Lizzy E. and I are developing a NEW online community and online hub which will host tools, resources and masterclasses to help event professionals on their journey to improving accessibility at events.

Message me to find out more and to join the waitlist! ??

For those who haven't already downloaded the Inclusive Event Design Playbook, head on over and download it now!

https://oddityevents.com/inclusive-event-design

Until Next Time Ciao.