Great Leadership in Black Communities: A Testament to Resilience

“There were, and still are, very few Black leaders in the Real Estate sector“ A statement that continues to hold truth and a challenge for the industry to do more. Black History Month is a time to recognise progress, but also to reflect on the realities that remain and push for change. Representation in leadership is not just about visibility; it’s about access, opportunity, and the structures that support both. Real estate shapes communities and leadership should reflect the diversity of those communities. Change happens when organisations look beyond familiarity, widen their lens, and make inclusion part of how decisions are made every day. #BlackHistoryMonth #Leadership #Inclusion #Diversity #RealEstate #Representation #Equity #BuiltEnvironment

“There were, and still are, very few Black leaders in the Real Estate sector“ A statement that continues to hold truth and a challenge for the industry to do more. Black History Month is a time to recognise progress, but also to reflect on the realities that remain and push for change. Representation in leadership is not just about visibility; it’s about access, opportunity, and the structures that support both. Real estate shapes communities and leadership should reflect the diversity of those communities. Change happens when organisations look beyond familiarity, widen their lens, and make inclusion part of how decisions are made every day. #BlackHistoryMonth #Leadership #Inclusion #Diversity #RealEstate #Representation #Equity #BuiltEnvironment

𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸: 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽? Every October, our sector celebrates stories of excellence and resilience. But awareness alone doesn’t shift systems. Representation without retention isn’t progress. Visibility without influence isn’t equity. Across housing, representation at senior levels remains stagnant, and in some places it is slipping backwards. Despite progress in conversation, the pipeline into leadership is still narrow, and boards rarely reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. At Connex, we believe real leadership means asking the harder questions:  Who gets heard? Who gets promoted? Who stays, and who silently leaves? This focus has been a golden thread through our work all year. Across our roundtables and sector discussions, race equity continues to surface, not as a one-off topic but as a test of how serious we are about transformation. The NHF Chair’s Challenge has rightly focused attention on the need for more Global Majority leaders at board level. But recruitment alone is not the answer. True inclusion means those voices shape decisions, not just occupy seats. Black History Month should be a catalyst, not a conclusion. Earlier this year, South Asian Heritage Month reminded us that every community’s story adds to the same call: sustained, accountable leadership that values equity all year round. So one week in, ask yourself:  • What has your organisation done this month to make inclusion tangible?  • And how will you ensure progress does not slip quietly backwards?   #BlackHistoryMonth #LeadershipMatters #ConnexLeadershipNetworks #EquityInAction #InclusiveCulture #SocialHousingLeadership #DifficultConversations 

What does this year's #BlackHistoryMonth theme, "Standing Firm in Power and Pride", mean to you? #LinkedInNewsUK The theme “Standing Firm in Power and Pride” deeply resonates with me, both personally and professionally, through my work leading the ASPIRE Programme(Accomplished Study Programme in Research Excellence). ASPIRE was created to address the systemic underrepresentation of Black students in doctoral education. It provides personalised mentorship, coaching, and leadership development that empowers Black scholars to see themselves as capable of belonging, leading, and thriving in spaces where they have historically been excluded. To me, standing firm in power means creating environments where Black excellence is recognised not as an exception but as a norm; where confidence, intellectual curiosity, and authenticity are nurtured. Standing firm in pride reflects the courage to centre Black voices and lived experiences unapologetically, even in the face of global inequalities, racial injustice, and the persistent underrepresentation that still exists in higher education. In an increasingly complex and challenging global landscape, ASPIRE continues to embody this theme by building a community grounded in Ubuntu and the Omoluabi values of integrity, compassion, and collective responsibility. Through ASPIRE’s mentoring and anti-racist training, we are cultivating a generation of scholars and academics who are not only proud of their identity but also equipped to lead transformative change with power, dignity, and purpose.

As part of our Black History Month series, we spoke with Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University. In this conversation, David reflects on the values that define his leadership – equity, authenticity and fairness – and the responsibility of transforming higher education into a space where all students can thrive. He speaks candidly about the gap between words and action on race equity, the importance of visible representation in leadership, and why real inclusion must be measured not by statements of intent, but by evidence of change. Read the full interview and explore the series - https://lnkd.in/e6czT2TK

“If you are the only one in the room, you are meant to be here.” Flavilla Fongang This quote struck a chord as I reflected on today's panel celebrating Black History Month, where community, connection and collective success were front and centre. I’m increasingly convinced that sustainable innovation and business growth are inseparable from inclusive leadership, psychological safety and purpose-driven community building. Flavilla reminded us that stepping into spaces where we may be the only one isn’t a token moment it’s a legitimate contribution. Meanwhile, Raphael Sofoluke has built platforms like the UK Black Business Show to amplify Black business leadership and create ecosystems of opportunity. Key take-aways for leaders and organisations: Prioritise diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as strategic levers for innovation, not just as check-boxes. Cultivate community and networks as vital components of wellbeing and resilience for leaders. Recognise that enabling others to rise supports your own leadership journey when people thrive, organisations thrive. If you’re navigating leadership transitions, scaling your team, or seeking to build more inclusive culture, these themes matter deeply. I’d welcome your thoughts: what practical steps have you taken to ensure that “the only one in the room” becomes “one of many voices at the table”? #BlackHistoryMonth #LinkedInNewsUK

“If you are the only one in the room, you are meant to be here.” Flavilla Fongang This quote struck a chord as I reflected on today's panel celebrating Black History Month, where community, connection and collective success were front and centre. I’m increasingly convinced that sustainable innovation and business growth are inseparable from inclusive leadership, psychological safety and purpose-driven community building. Flavilla reminded us that stepping into spaces where we may be the only one isn’t a token moment it’s a legitimate contribution. Meanwhile, Raphael Sofoluke has built platforms like the UK Black Business Show to amplify Black business leadership and create ecosystems of opportunity. Key take-aways for leaders and organisations: Prioritise diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as strategic levers for innovation, not just as check-boxes. Cultivate community and networks as vital components of wellbeing and resilience for leaders. Recognise that enabling others to rise supports your own leadership journey when people thrive, organisations thrive. If you’re navigating leadership transitions, scaling your team, or seeking to build more inclusive culture, these themes matter deeply. I’d welcome your thoughts: what practical steps have you taken to ensure that “the only one in the room” becomes “one of many voices at the table”? #BlackHistoryMonth #LinkedInNewsUK

Black British Leadership & Institutional Representation Challenges From the Latest Issue of African Leadership Magazine Across the United Kingdom, Black British leaders continue to break barriers in politics, business, academia, and the arts — yet the conversation around true representation and institutional equity remains as urgent as ever. The latest issue of African Leadership Magazine dives deep into the structural and cultural challenges that shape Black leadership experiences, and the pathways toward a more inclusive and equitable leadership landscape. The feature highlights how representation is not just about visibility — it’s about influence, access, and systemic change. As one of the key discussions in this edition underscores: “For Africa to capture more of the value from its natural endowment, governments and businesses must prioritise industrial policies and investments that push beyond resource extraction.” This statement echoes a wider truth — that whether in Africa or the diaspora, advancing Black leadership requires shifting from participation to transformation. It’s about moving beyond symbolic inclusion to building frameworks that ensure sustained empowerment, ownership, and equity in leadership spaces. Through thought-provoking insights from policymakers, corporate leaders, and social reformers, the feature unpacks how institutions can evolve to truly reflect the diversity and dynamism of modern Britain — and how Black leadership can continue to inspire global change. 👉 Explore the full feature and other groundbreaking stories on leadership, equity, and transformation in the latest issue of African Leadership Magazine. 🔗 Read now: https://lnkd.in/eNj-7jww #ALM #BlackLeadership #DiversityandInclusion #RepresentationMatters #AfricanDiaspora #LeadershipEquity #InstitutionalReform #AfricanLeadershipMagazine #Empowerment #DiasporaVoices

We talk a lot about diversity — but the numbers still tell a tough story. Black professionals are three times less likely to reach senior leadership roles in the UK. 📉 Real change means more than talking about inclusion — it means breaking down the barriers that keep talent from progressing. #BLJBFactOfTheWeek

Breaking Barriers, Building Futures – Expert Insights with Evelyn Forde MBE In this latest edition of our Expert Insights series, we speak with Evelyn Forde MBE, award-winning headteacher, former President of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), and one of the most respected voices in UK education. Evelyn’s leadership journey is defined by courage, conviction, and a deep commitment to inclusion. Recognised with an MBE for her services to education and named TES Headteacher of the Year in 2020, she continues to influence the sector through her consultancy work with schools and educational organisations — helping leaders build cultures of equity and belonging. As part of Civil Service College’s Breaking Barriers, Building Futures theme for Black History Month, Evelyn shared her powerful reflections on resilience, identity, and representation. Speaking candidly, she unpacked the realities of leadership as a Black woman in education, the moments of resistance, the cost of visibility, and the responsibility of paving the way for others. Evelyn also discussed how allies, mentors, and courageous leadership can transform not just careers, but systems and why authenticity remains the foundation of trust and influence. Her message is clear: “A burnt-out leader can’t build futures — and we need a brighter future for the young people and communities we serve.” You can read the full conversation, including Evelyn’s personal insights, lessons from her own journey, and her vision for the next decade of education on our website: 👉 Read the full Expert Insights interview with Evelyn Forde MBE - https://lnkd.in/e7g4T2mW