Race Forward Pod Lydiah Igweh

Ever wonder how a top-tier football league plans to create a more diverse and inclusive environment? Today's discussion with Iffy, the first head of equality, diversity, and inclusion for the Premier League, offers some answers.
This episode is a treasure trove of insights on leadership, resolution, and fostering positive change in the sporting world. Iffy delves deep into his convictions and his game plan for creating diverse pathways in football.
He also gives us a glimpse into how the Black Lives Matter movement has stirred the football community and shifted attitudes towards diversity and inclusion.

Gain an understanding of the influence of high-profile incidents and the ensuing demand on social media firms and governments to act. We also get a candid peek into the initiatives to create more opportunities for diverse individuals and what this means for the future of football.

Hear from an influential figure in football as they share their vision for the future of DEI in sports, emphasising the importance of diversity in leadership positions plus more!
Don't miss out on this rich conversation filled with valuable insights, progressive thought, and a vision for a more inclusive sporting world.

About this Episodes Guest: Iffy Onuora
Iffy is Head of EDI; Professional Pathways at The Premier League, having been appointed in April 2021. Amongst his duties, he’s Chair of the PL’s Black Participants Advisory Group (BPAG) and leads the PL’s No Room For Racism action plan, and the flagship Player to Executive Pathways Scheme (PEPS).
Before this, he’d spent nine years working for the Players Union (the PFA), in a joint role as Coach, Educator and Equalities Executive.
As part of his role there, he was also a Trustee of the anti-racism organisation, Kick It Out, and sat on the FA Council as part of the FA’s Inclusion and Advisory Board. Before joining the PFA in 2013, he’d taken several Coaching roles as an Assistant Head Coach and Head Coach both in the UK and abroad, and all this after a fifteen-year playing career spanning three decades.

Today, we invite you into a conversation that is sure to challenge your perspective and broaden your horizons. We've had the privilege of sitting down with Noémie, an influential figure at the forefront of advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Her journey is rooted in her experiences in South Korea, where she first encountered significant cultural differences and misunderstandings, which inspired the pursuit of her passion.

Noémie's story of self-discovery and exploration of privilege is compelling, and she brings these lessons to the daunting world of business, unravelling the often overlooked, yet impactful, office rituals that shape our workplace culture.
She highlights the lack of women in leadership roles and emphasises the necessity of a qualitative approach when navigating the experiences of marginalised individuals in the workplace. Noémie's insights are a call to action, reminding us all of our role in creating more inclusive and diverse environments.

Beyond the office, Noémie is a staunch advocate for inclusivity and diversity in the job market, particularly for those with disabilities.
She talks about her work with organisations like FortSchritt Bayern, which are making strides in promoting linguistic inclusion and creating opportunities for the youth.
This episode concludes on a powerful note — the call for humility, the acknowledgement of indigenous wisdom beyond the Western framework, and the importance of empowering others.

About this Episodes Guest: Dr. Noémie Hermeking
Anthropologist, researcher, author, keynote speaker & podcaster Noémie Hermeking is an experienced intercultural trainer, consultant, inclusion and diversity officer who enables people to unlock their full potential to work within our multicultural world. Trilingual in German, French & English, Hermeking holds a PhD. in socio-cultural anthropology from Indiana University, USA & a master’s degree in socio-cultural anthropology from l´Ecole des hautes études en Sciences Sociales (School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences), Paris.
She is an anthropologist with nearly twenty years of work experience in research (extended research with Indigenous communities both in the USA and Canada) and in Germany. Her anthropological background helps her to identify the insider perspective, understand human behaviour and as such, be instrumental in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.
As an inclusion and diversity officer at FortSchritt Bayern, it is Hermeking’s goal to ensure that people with disabilities are included in all aspects of society; hence fostering their inclusion. As an avid inclusion and diversity officer Noémie daily strives to advance young people's career opportunities by levelling the playing field for underserved communities.

Immerse yourself in today's enriching conversation with Tolu, a passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Tolu opens up about his challenging journey that has been coloured with resilience and second chances, and how these experiences shaped him and his approach to DEI strategies. He shares his story of how he turned obstacles into opportunities and transformed his life to advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workspace.

We ventured into a thought-provoking discussion on the role of inclusive leadership in tackling racism. Tolu elaborates on the power of understanding the nuances of our interactions and how this awareness can mould a more inclusive workplace culture. He encourages us to delve into the world of cultural activation and provides crucial insights on how organisations can transcend beyond policy changes to authentically foster diversity and inclusion.

Tolu sheds light on the designing of comprehensive DEI strategies and emphasises the need for accountability when it comes to implementation. He stresses the importance of having separate strategies to address race and ethnicity due to their varied nuances.
He also underscores the value of mental health support in these initiatives. Lastly, Tolu gives us a snapshot of his initiative, Limitless, a fascinating intersection of brands, entertainment, and cultural change. This episode is brimming with priceless insights for anyone looking to cultivate a more inclusive and diverse workplace environment.

About this Episodes Guest: Tolu Farinto
Tolu Farinto, Founder of Limitless, Partner, change-maker & Ethnicity and Social Mobility Specialist Lead at Utopia
Tolu is the Ethnicity and Social Mobility specialism Lead at Utopia - a culture change business that creates more inclusive, healthy and entrepreneurial cultures for clients. Tolu is a central part of a team that takes Utopia’s top-to-bottom, boardroom to the factory floor into clients including household names such as Coca-Cola European Partners, Google, Schneider Electric, Spotify, and Universal Music. 
Tolu is also the founder of Limitless Live - an annual music festival at The Roundhouse in Camen, with a social purpose at its core to reach, inspire, connect and equip aspirational talent from underrepresented backgrounds who are often disenfranchised. This is done through the power of culture change, brands and entertainment, shining a light on existing creative and employment opportunities for young people.
He co-founded The Great British Diversity Experiment in 2015 and is a key advisor to Hackney CVS's flagship Black Men for Change initiative: a strategic pan-London platform, funded by the Mayor of London, to combat structural inequality as it impacts vulnerable communities. He also sits on the creative advisory board for the Ideas Foundation, a charity that ensures career opportunities within the creative industry are accessible to talent from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Have you ever wondered how personal experiences can shape professional journeys? What if I told you about Christina, an accomplished playwright and performer, who currently champions diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at Soho House? Her compelling journey from being a soccer player and opera singer to discovering her passion for acting and education is nothing short of inspiring.

Her powerful one-woman show about her disabled sister not only touched hearts but also steered Christina towards the world of DEI.
In our chat, we also discuss her play 'Dangerous Giant Animals,' a poignant reflection on her relationship with her sister, showcasing the often overlooked perspectives on disability, violence, and caregiving within families.
Christina helps us understand the intricate process of creating such impactful plays and how they become instrumental in advocating for social change.

Wearing multiple hats can be challenging. Between managing DEI at Soho House and writing plays, Christina gives us valuable insight into effectively managing time and creative energy. We explore the concept of privilege in DEI, how resilience fuels her work, and the importance of storytelling in bridging art and advocacy. Christina's story is a testament to how personal experiences and unyielding commitment can shape a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Tune in to get inspired!

About this Episodes Guest: Christina Murdock
Christina Murdock has been a Diversity, Inclusion, and Wellbeing coach, consultant, and trainer for the past seven years for individuals and organisations across the UK, Europe, and the US. With extensive experience leading sessions on equity, belonging, and inclusive leadership with managers and senior leaders in top global organisations, she strategically tackles complex culture challenges in an accessible and human-centred approach. She motivates and inspires individuals to maximise their power and privilege as change agents in their spheres of influence, resulting in her clients describing her as an ‘empowering’ and ‘expert communicator’, particularly remarking on her accessible and pragmatic approach to diversity and inclusion. She's also an award-winning social impact theatremaker, performer, and playwright whose work has been performed at Shakespeare's Globe and The Park Theatre.

What if the missing piece of your organisation's growth puzzle is hiding in plain sight? Join us as we converse with the dynamic expert in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Nesli Ercan. From her journey that started in Turkey and took her to Dublin, she breathes life into the DEI narrative.
Nesli not only carries a treasure trove of experiences shaped by different cultures but also carries the strategic chops and business acumen that help her make a real impact on DEI practices in organisations. She shares her insights on the importance of business acumen in facilitating effective learning and development sessions for DEI practitioners.

But that's not all. Nesli also unwraps the tremendous benefits hidden in the simple act of prioritizing the recruitment and advancement of underrepresented individuals in organisations.
We delve deep into the ethical, strategic, and innovative advantages that come along with cognitive diversity in the workplace. Nesli also shares her thoughts on the need for compensation and accountability in company models to foster an environment of equity.
Listen in, as Nesli opens up about the journey to lasting change - a path paved with small steps, long-term commitment, and open-mindedness. This episode is a must-listen for all leaders, HR professionals, and anyone passionate about making a difference.

About this Episodes Guest: Nesli. Ercan
Nesli is a global business leader with a profound passion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). With 15 years of global partnerships & growth experience, Nesli has orchestrated international projects and cultivated high-performing teams with a strong passion for driving change. From Udemy to GoStudent, Vodafone to Indeed, in addition to her full-time roles in business development, she always championed DEI initiatives, actively fostering inclusive cultures within every organisation she has touched. Notably, in her last role at Meta, she spearheaded transformative DEI partnerships and marketing programs that harnessed the potential of underrepresented communities. 

Brace yourselves for a stimulating discussion with the esteemed Dr. Mikal Anderson. As a diversity and inclusion practitioner and educator, not to mention a social impact entrepreneur, Dr. Anderson brings a wealth of expertise to the table.
We navigate through his riveting journey from the financial services sector to the educational field, as he has passionately advocated for marginalised groups. Get ready to hear about his impact-driven approach to fostering equity and belonging, particularly in educational spaces.

We also take a moment to address the elephant in the room – the essential role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in organisations.
Dr. Anderson hammers home the importance of nurturing diverse talent, and the need for leaders to step out of their comfort zone and drive bold DEI initiatives.
We also delve into the importance of representation in leadership, and why data shouldn't be feared but embraced, underscoring the integral role DEI plays across all sectors, not just education.

Shifting our gaze towards the future, we explore the hurdles and prospects of promoting DEI in the workplace.

About this Episodes Guest: Dr. Mikal Anderson
Dr. Mikal Anderson is the Founder of Prototype Entities, a management consulting firm focused on equity in education and economic outcomes. With nearly two decades of experience as a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leader and international consultant, he addresses educational inequities globally.
Dr. Anderson has worked with various organizations to develop and implement DEI agendas and improve education and workforce development. He is also a faculty member at Tulane University's John Lewis Master of Public Administration program.
Dr. Anderson is active in community initiatives and holds multiple degrees and certifications from prestigious institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, and the University of Southern California.