Building a business is one thing. Pitching it in front of a room full of people is another. We caught up with some of the young entrepreneurs from Levels before they stepped into a live pitch for the chance to win £2500. Esther-Rennae Walker from ERWSTORIES dropped some advice every founder needs to hear. If you’re a young entrepreneur trying to take your idea further, tap in with 20/20 Levels and the work they’re doing through the Levels programme.
About us
Many Black professionals in the UK still face barriers at work. Talent is not the issue. Access is. Too often, the right support, networks and opportunities remain out of reach. The BOP exists to change that. We are a career and community platform created for Black and mixed heritage professionals. Our mission is simple: to connect, support and empower. Through The BOP, members can: • Hear directly from experienced Black and mixed heritage professionals who have been there before • Access practical tools to thrive, from masterclasses and guides to audio and written learning • Share their voice with confidence • Build meaningful career connections Founded by Jude Davis, a former Apple marketer with over 20 years of experience in brand, strategy and community building, The BOP is built with one purpose: to help our community thrive. We are more than a network. We are a movement for progress, belonging and success. The BOP is SEIS approved. Be the first to access our app and start connecting: www.thebop.co.uk
- Website
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https://www.thebop.co.uk
External link for The BOP
- Industry
- Social Networking Platforms
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 2024
- Specialties
- Community, Leadership, Coaching , and DEI
Updates
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Yesterday the UK voted in its local elections. Today we see the results, but do politics really affect us in corporate spaces? People often separate politics and the workplace, but politics shapes workplaces, funding, education, opportunity and the communities we live in. The decline of DEI across the pond has already had a ripple effect, with Black professionals among those feeling the impact most. We spoke to HR and DEI consultant Joshua Karl to hear his perspective on the topic.
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Why create something just for Black professionals? It is a question we hear often. More than you might expect. We’ve always found that interesting. Because the question tends to show up differently here. The context is still not fully seen. Or understood. Representation at senior level remains low. Access is still uneven. Outcomes are not where they should be. So spaces like this do not appear by accident. They are built because they are needed. The BOP was created with Black and mixed heritage professionals in mind. Open to anyone who sees the value in that. One thing we will say. If you are building in this space, now is the time to double down. Not step back. People need access. They need community. They need to see what is possible. Join the waiting list. Link in comments. Sources available in comments.
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Money. Money. Money. In this economy...it is on everyone’s mind. There is a lot of advice out there, and it is not always clear who to listen to. We’ve pulled together a group of professionals worth your time. Voices that cut through the noise and make money feel more practical. If you are working in the corporate world and taking your finances more seriously, this is a good place to start. Save this. Share it with your people. Olamide Majekodunmi Patricia Bright The Humble Penny Ken Okoroafor Mary Okoroafor Emmanuel Asuquo Bola Sol Rotimi Merriman-Johnson
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Finances are rarely spoken about at work. That silence has consequences. It shapes how people negotiate, invest, and plan for the future. Many professionals are left to figure it out alone. Sharing knowledge changes that. It builds confidence. It creates access. It opens up opportunity. For Black professionals, that openness also plays a role in building generational wealth. We spoke with Emmanuel Asuquo a financial advisor to know, at UK Black Business Show .
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The BOP reposted this
“Don’t let anyone tell you no” Simple advice But sometimes the simplest advice is the most earned This is another short clip I’m sharing from the room we co-created in December… brought together by Steven Fuller through Race in STEM No panel No slides No performance Just people talking honestly Before we go further… a bit of context The person on camera this time is Liseli Sumbwanyambe My sister You often hear people talk about looking up to older siblings In our family I’m the older one But something I’ve noticed over the years is that there is just as much to admire... and learn... from the experiences of the younger ones Liseli’s career is a good example of that She started in biomedical sciences Moved into biotech Spent time in innovation in FMCG Today she works in sports marketing On paper it might look like a zig-zag But when you watch closely it’s actually something else: A series of deliberate bets Bets on herself Bets on environments Bets on people And importantly... wherever she lands, she creates value Not just by doing the job well, but by bringing curiosity, fresh thinking and an energy that lifts the people and teams around her while she continues shaping her own path Now… before this turns into a suspiciously glowing review from an older brother, let’s be clear She’s not perfect (Family group chats would confirm that quickly 😉 ) But she is very good at making thoughtful bets, learning quickly, and leaving things better than she found them What stands out to me most is the way she approached her career from the beginning With a level of maturity I probably only developed much later She’s been willing to take risks And just as importantly, she’s been willing to change environments when they stopped serving her That takes more courage than people realise I’d like to say that comes from having an in-house career coach ahead of her. But its not Some people simply develop a strong sense of agency earlier than others During the conversation she shared a piece of advice that many people in the room quietly nodded at: “Don’t let anyone tell you no If someone says no… ask someone else” Another small unwritten rule she mentioned: “If you make your manager’s life easier… your life will be easier too” Not glamorous But extremely real These are the kinds of insights that rarely appear in career guides They tend to travel person to person Room to room Conversation to conversation That’s the quiet power of spaces like this It’s also why I share these conversations through The Black Sherpa Limited and The 29k Club Not because they fix the system But because they help reduce the guesswork… earlier 🔖 Save this if you’re learning the rules as you go ♻️ Share it with someone earlier in their journey Still more conversations from that room to come Big up to Jude Davis and The BOP for helping these voices travel further 🎤 PS - plantIN vs plantAIN remains divisive 🍌
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The BOP reposted this
I was in good company when I met Dr Abigail Otchere, Donna Otchere (SiSTEM UK) and Hosanna Hali. They had just stepped off the stage at Black Tech Fest BTF® so I grabbed a few minutes with them. I wanted to capture some of the knowledge they were sharing and pass it on. International Women’s Day was yesterday but conversations like this are a reminder that the appreciation should not stop there. I would recommend having an Abigail, Hosanna or Donna in your life. Just being in their presence I left feeling motivated to do more. Thank you for the inspiration and general VIBES, ladies.
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The BOP reposted this
A personal note from Jude. Today is International Women’s Day. This photo is my mum on her wedding day over 50 years ago. She was just 18. When I look at it now, I am reminded how much she went on to achieve in her life and the strength she carried through it all. As The BOP grows, I continue to meet and learn from incredible women across our community. Leaders, mentors and professionals who give their time, knowledge and support to others. Today feels like a good moment to say thank you.
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A personal note from Jude. Today is International Women’s Day. This photo is my mum on her wedding day over 50 years ago. She was just 18. When I look at it now, I am reminded how much she went on to achieve in her life and the strength she carried through it all. As The BOP grows, I continue to meet and learn from incredible women across our community. Leaders, mentors and professionals who give their time, knowledge and support to others. Today feels like a good moment to say thank you.
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The BOP reposted this
“Should I move to Dubai to fix my career?” Spend 5 minutes on socials and it feels like everyone is relocating. Specifically Dubai! The UK job market feels slow right now, so it’s no surprise people are looking elsewhere. In this week’s Hey Jude I respond to a professional wondering whether a new country means new opportunity, or just the same questions in better weather. Sometimes the real decision is not where to move, but why. Would you consider leaving the UK for work? *This response was written before the recent events in the region.