This October, for Black History Month we invited four black Business leaders to join us in a panel-discussion styled roundtable to discuss what they think businesses and leaders can do to increase diversity within the workplace. 

(From Left to right)  Jennifer Thomas, Head of Communications LSEG. Adaora Oramah, Founder & CEO of AMAKA studio. Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, CEO of the 10,000 Interns Foundation and Dino Myers-Lamptey, Founder of the Barber Shop.

The roundtable was hosted by our very own Commercial Content Editor, Britany Golob and it was extremely insightful to learn advice on tackling recruitment strategies, improving representation in businesses and where the responsibility should lie within companies to elevate Black voices. 

Although we organised this discussion for black history month, it's vital to highlight that diversity and inclusion should be taken into consideration all year round and not just in a standalone monthly event.

Jennifer Thomas, head of communications, data and analytics at the London Stock Exchange Group shares, “I want people outside my community to seize this commemorative time as an opportunity for change, to make an impact, to learn. That doesn’t all end on 1 November. So let’s use this focal moment because it’s there and understand why it’s there.”

Our panellists highlighted how its important for companies to hold themselves accountable. Dino Myers-Lamptey, Founder of The Barber Shop shares "The first thing organisations can do is actually make sure they've set up the system in a way to hold them to account."

Adaora Oramah, Founder & CEO of AMAKA studio adds that companies need to set targets and goals. Then, through using data and insights they can measure success, whilst also using this data to help rectify or highlight any issues as well.

You can check out the full article below on our discussion surrounding what changes businesses must make to improve diversity here: 

 https://www.raconteur.net/hr/diversity-inclusion/3-ways-improve-diversity-business/

For more snippets of our roundtable event: 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkIzH_-IhaM/

A huge thank you to all four panellists for joining us this week. It was really interesting to reflect on the progress that's already been made, but to also learn about what further action is needed to elevate Black voices in business.