Black British Initiative

An incredible start to MBA 30 Cohort Six. With standing room only, the packed class bristled with energy and anticipation as the entrepreneurs scrolled through the first day’s agenda, detailing SOAS University of London’s lecturers and that day’s industry guests. Hubbub and excitement, gave way to silence as Black British Initiative's CEO & Founder Darren Miller introduced the first contributor, Lord Dr Michael Hastings CBE. He didn’t disappoint, with his words about the societal value of entrepreneurship, inspiring the cohort. Now fully engaged, next, Tom Athron, CEO of Fortnum and Mason, a department store renowned for stocking the world’s highest quality foods and drinks, explained why his customer centric brand, continues to ascend whilst others experience decline. Ending with a crescendo, Emmanuel Eribo co-founder and CEO of Vegan footwear brand LØCI, provided insight into the gritty reality of being a dynamic, tenacious and driven business founder, including a rare insight into the ‘secret sauce’ responsible for his success. If you missed it, this video captures the highlights. Entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, to enrol on MBA 30 Cohort Seven commencing on 3rd March 2025, make contact now mba@blackbritishinitiative.com Thanking all the MBA 30 Cohort Six entrepreneurs who contributed to this video Annika Allen Gray (She/Her), Mercedes Benson, Nadine Campbell, Mark Maciver and Jamarly Wright.

If you know less than your competitors, you are immediately at an immense disadvantage, yet this is the reality faced by an overwhelming majority of the UK’s Black entrepreneurs. 15 months ago, BBI set out to address this seemingly intractable problem, by launching a transformative educational program with an important mission, to realise and convert the UK’s deep reservoirs of Black entrepreneurial talent, boosting the UK’s GDP by as much as £75bn, according to Coutts Private Bank. Black British Initiative MBA 30 achieved that goal! A full MBA is immensely powerful and is a qualification held by some of the most successful entrepreneurs globally including Elon Musk, Michael Bloomberg, Larry Page and Phil Knight, founder of Nike but can cost up to £100,000 and take 12 to 24 months to complete on a full-time basis. These barriers to entry make it prohibitive for at least 99% of the UK's Black population. The answer, democratising access to executive education. Collaborating with Baroness Doreen Lawrence OBE's SLDF BBI conceived the transformative MBA 30, validated, accredited and delivered by SOAS University of London and positively celebrating Stephen Lawrence’s legacy. With cohort six commencing on 13th January, MBA 30 has been a huge triumph, with SOAS’s professors equipping founders and micro business leaders with the key lessons and knowledge from a full MBA, to empower growth, development and scale. SOAS’s academic team are supported by ‘world class’ industry contributors, leading business experts, who ‘send the elevator back down’, by sharing insights; knowledge and details about how they operate their significant organisations, ensuring MBA 30 remains cutting edge. With 2024 drawing to a close, we are taking this opportunity to thank our sponsors NatWest Group, RIBA, Centrepoint, Retail Trust, News UK and Rosenblatt Memery Crystal Julie Baker Also industry contributors: CBE Natalia Gamero del Castillo Calleja Tom Athron Emmanuel Eribo Greg Fuzesi Bianca Miller - Cole Martin Verdult Harriet Vocking Gareth Thomas Alexander Clegg Mark Diamond Amanda Rajkumar Roux Brits Chris Brook-Carter Jonathan Lerner Luther Kisanga Jamie Beck Paul Martin David Woods Demi Ariyo Katie Buckett Claudia Osei-Nsafoah Andrew Xeni Chris Turner A special thank you to Media Monks Sir Martin Sorrell Joanna Cotton Naana Orleans-Amissah Tassia Quirino

Begin your new chapter today, enrol now. Contact mba@blackbritishinitiative.com

Sir Martin Sorrell's Monks delivers another fantastic masterclass. I was struck by the depth and quality of the second session, just as exceptional as the first. In logical sequence Caroline Lucas-Garner, Tom Genower and Graham Jenks shared comprehensive insights about how to understand the target audience, market trends and securing engagement, so crucial for efficiently, expediently and profitably delivering a service or product.   Considering the world class status of Media Monk’s clients, who include Google, YouTube, BMWMini, Netflix, Starbucks and Dove, small business owners are not usually exposed to the same level of advice, expertise and knowledge as these globally renowned brands with huge budgets and so, it was a rare privilege to receive these insights. So many lessons but one of the stand outs, was how to use AI as an important tool. None of the attendees new about AI platform SORA and it’s incredible capabilities, which enables micro businesses to compete with enterprises significantly larger.   Thanking Rian, Tassia and Michael for organising the second session in this illuminating masterclass series, both Black British Initiative and founder Darren Miller are forever thankful! #BlackBritishInitiative #Entrepreneurship #Empowerment #Masterclass

Established, bourgeoning and new entrepreneurs, don't miss this opportunity to learn how executive programme MBA 30 can transform your business fortunes and enhance your life chances. Join the MBA 30 Open Day, taking place tomorrow 9th December from 12.45pm to 3pm on the SOAS University of London Campus, where a dynamic panel will be on hand to answer questions. Register your interest now by contacting mba@blackbritishinitiative.com

It's uplifting to see Black British Initiative's CEO & Founder Darren Miller receiving this recognition for the charity's important work. We appreciate Irokoos Magazine’s article, raising awareness of MBA 30’s impact. For entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs keen to realise their full potential, please register your interest in MBA 30 Cohort Six, https://lnkd.in/eFRjaD6w on 13th January to 6th February 2025, by contacting mba@blackbritishinitiative.com A special thank you to Wendy Brobbey and Alain Metodjo

ANNOUNCEMENT | Black British Initiative has an established tradition of marking the launch of each cohort, with the in-person attendance of an exceptional industry guest. On 13th January 2025, the incomparable Tom Athron, CEO of Fortnum & Mason and will be on campus at SOAS University of London to open MBA 30 cohort six. Tom will join Lord Dr Michael Hastings CBE, Dr Alberto Asquer and Darren Miller, sharing some of his extraordinary wisdom and business insights, including relevant lessons that can perhaps, be personalised and implemented by cohort six’s dynamic and burgeoning entrepreneurs. BBI is excited about Tom’s involvement and the richness he brings to MBA 30. Interested entrepreneurs, please make contact now mba@blackbritishinitiative.com

Well done ITV So important to have representation from diverse voices, providing a platform to gauge opinions about the budget from across society. The UK’s Black business community is bursting with ideas and innovations and as Darren Miller mentioned, the scale of the potential economic contribution from this demographic is vast. Black entrepreneurs can help the chancellor grow the economy, they just need a level and equitable ‘playing field’ to realise the opportunities. #entrepreneurship #MBA30

The Media Monks masterclass, perfectly summarised by the incredible Naana Orleans-Amissah

Testimonials are immensely powerful, pivotal for decision making. On Saturday, three beneficiaries of MBA 30, will join me on stage and provide first hand accounts, about how access to executive education has super charged their prospects. BBI is prone to understatement, leaving others to recognise the charity’s good work, but buoyed by MBA 30’s impact, our CEO and Founder Darren Miller will be extolling the programme’s virtues from 3.50pm this Saturday at the UK Black Business Week | UK Black Business Show. MBA 30 participants Demi Abiola, Isabelle Pennington-Edmead and Naithan Hilaire will be handed the mic, using the stage to share an open and honest account about their experiences and will explain, how their businesses drive change. For those interested in MBA 30, please feel free to attend the Black Business Show’s ‘Meet the Expert’, where at 12.15pm Darren Miller will be providing the finer details about the course, including the subjects covered by its nine modules and supplementary masterclasses.  Enquiries at mba@blackbritishinitiative.com