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On Tuesday the power-house that is Flavilla Fongang launched what is shaping up to be a project profoundly useful for the Black community and professionals at large. I've seen first hand the work and time she has personally invested here, so it's only right I share this with my Network. In Flavilla's own words... "BLACK RISE is here to bridge the opportunity gap for black talent in business. Black talent in business faces significant barriers to growth due to the absence of a robust ecosystem that facilitates connections, the sharing of knowledge and opportunities. This economic loss is estimated at $1.6 trillion in the US and 300 billion in the UK each year. So we built an AI powered business platform to help them reach their full potential by harnessing the power of the Black talent network." The total addressable market is $25 billion based of 650k B2B users and 71 million Black professionals outside of Africa." To follow the journey, give BLACK RISE and Flavilla Fongang a follow! 😉

Black History Month seems to have slipped into the abyss for some companies. 🟢 A few have kept up their efforts to show up and show out for Black History Month. This could be because the ethnic minorities internally won’t let them forget (good job you guys!), or they do genuinely care about the community and our contributions to British culture. 🔴 Others seem to have completely forgotten. I’m curious whether it’s because they were never too fussed in the first place or because of yearly budget constraints it was the easiest thing to deprioritise and cut altogether. Did these companies do something ‘big’ last year so felt that this was enough for the time being and they could just reflect on the efforts of their past? Did it get to October and creators checked in to see if they had any plans and now these companies feel pressure to execute something last minute? ⚫️ To me, it seems likely many simply didn’t care in the first place and after posting black squares one year, and some pressure in the following years, companies all went back to regular programming. 🟡 Regardless of which of these areas a company falls into, it’s not enough to just show up sporadically when they feel pressure or when there’s ’extra’ budget. The black community exist all year round, however we have one dedicated month where we can share the history and importance of our contributions to this country. I implore companies to remember us all year round but to truly celebrate us each October, when it’s our time to shine. ✨

DON'T WAIT UNTIL BLACK HISTORY MONTH! ⚠️ In the spirit of entrepreneurship and purpose in 2025, I've created my own series of workshops targeting the mental health of Black employees in the workplace. With over 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE of workshop facilitation across various organisations in the UK, it's time I turn my hands to a very worthy cause close to my heart. Healing Out Loud — is a transformative workshop series designed to help brands and organisations foster inclusivity, amplify diverse voices, and promote meaningful cultural understanding. I want to encourage discourse and engagement outside Black History Month, to opt for a more year round presence for the Black workforce. A Closer Look 👀:  https://lnkd.in/e5UiUpfD What’s in it for your Organisation? 📌 Engaged Employees: Create a workplace where all voices feel heard, valued, and respected. 📌 Actionable Insights: Receive tailored feedback and recommendations to enhance your DEI strategy. 📌 Brand Growth: Continue to position your company as a leader in fostering a diverse and inclusive culture. 📌 Move Beyond Tokenism: Present genuine opportunities for change and discourse which lay outside the confines of global moral panics or seasonal concern i.e Black History Month. If you work for any brands or organisations that could benefit from such workshops, lets chat more and not leave it until Black History Month to engage your workforce. Let's Heal Out Loud 📣

💬 Let’s Talk About Black Mental Health This Black History Month 🖤 Black History Month is a time to reflect on the resilience, contributions, and excellence of the Black community. But it’s also an opportunity for organizations to address the challenges Black professionals face in the workplace—particularly regarding mental health. In today’s polarized climate, supporting the mental well-being of Black employees is not just an act of compassion; it’s a business imperative. Research shows Black professionals are the least likely to seek mental health treatment due to stigma and lack of access to culturally competent care. The weight of systemic inequities and microaggressions, compounded by current political tensions, makes workplace mental health support more critical than ever. This February, I invite your organization to be part of the solution. I’m available to deliver thought-provoking keynotes and workshops that focus on: ✨ Building inclusive cultures that foster psychological safety. ✨ Normalizing conversations about mental health in the Black community. ✨ Equipping leaders with tools to better support their Black employees. Let’s ensure Black History Month is more than a celebration—let’s make it a commitment to progress and healing. 📩 Message me to discuss how I can partner with your organization to drive meaningful change. Together, we can create workplaces where Black professionals can truly thrive.

How can businesses and colleagues be effective allies to Black employees year-round? #BlackHistoryMonth #LinkedInNewsUK Employers and colleagues can be effective allies to Black employees all year round by: 💡 Calling out microaggressions and discriminatory practices as and when they happen (and not remaining silent) 💡 Creating environments where everyone feels psychologically safe and like they belong 💡 Being mindful of the isolating impact that being the 'only one' in the room can have on some people 💡 Developing awareness of their own biases and not letting them influence their decision-making 💡 Making sure that DEI initiatives are not performative 💡 Looking at DEI initiatives through an intersectional lens 💡 Creating level playing fields 💡 Listening to understand 💡 Avoiding the 'birds of a feather flock together' and developing relationships with people who are different from them As we come to the end of another Black History Month here in the UK, remember that Black employees face challenges all year round and that Black history is for life not just October. What else would you add to this list?

There's a way to get Black History Month very wrong - but there's also a way you can get it right. Let's focus on how to get it right... 📝 Take notes from brands like adidas, YouTube & Ben & Jerry's who have been doing an exemplary job engaging with Black communities through the 'stewardship' framework ⏰ Find out where the future of brand engagement is headed when it comes to engage diverse communities 💡 Take actionable notes on how you can avoid critical mistakes and make sure your Black History Month Campaigns don't suck in our re-recorded webinar which you can find here: https://lnkd.in/eu84W-Dv

Mindful ways to celebrate Black History Month: ❌ Don't just repost memes ❌ Don't just post quotes ❌ Don't dig up painful memories ✅ Learn about black culture ✅ Support black-owned businesses ✅ Have uncomfortable conversations Black History Month is more than speeches and parades. It's a time to acknowledge the impact black culture has had on our world and our personal lives. It's an opportunity to reflect, learn and grow. Take the time to read from black authors, watch documentaries about black actors, and listen to music from black musicians. And don't stop there. Use this month to support black entrepreneurs by buying from black-owned businesses. Lastly, have conversations that might be uncomfortable. That's how we learn about different perspectives and experiences. We can all celebrate Black History Month with mindfulness.

October is Black History Month in the UK, celebrating the contributions of Black trailblazers who have shaped British history and continue to drive progress in technology and IoT. Their innovations have not only advanced the industry but also paved the way for future generations of leaders and innovators. Here are just a few of the Black pioneers whose work has left a lasting impact in IoT and tech: 🔬 𝗗𝗿. 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗱𝘆𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 – A mathematician whose contributions to GPS technology have revolutionized navigation. Her groundbreaking work in satellite geodesy laid the foundation for GPS, a key IoT enabler. 💡 𝗥𝗼𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗿. – A key figure in early computer technology development, Roy Clay Sr. not only made significant technological advancements but also broke down racial barriers in tech leadership, paving the way for greater diversity in the field. 💡 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗕𝗘 - Mark Martin promotes the importance of technology and innovation for young people, particularly from underrepresented groups. Through his advocacy, he encourages diversity in the IoT field through his company, UK Black Tech. At Eseye, we believe that diversity and inclusion are the driving forces behind true innovation and growth. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where every voice is valued, respected, and empowered—not just this month, but every day of the year. Learn more about Black History Month here: https://okt.to/48Uy5o

With Black History Month approaching, many companies are booking external speakers. But is this approach really engaging and inclusive? Have you asked your black employees if they’d like to share their stories? Their lived experiences could offer profound insights and create genuine cultural understanding. Consider hiring a moderator to facilitate these internal stories, creating an enriching, educational experience for all. As a motivational speaker, I offer moderation services to help elevate these conversations into engaging and empowering panels. Is your company ready to transform Black History Month into a true celebration of culture, communication, and understanding?