The Black Ladder Podcast The Black Ladder Podcast

Today’s guest is Kenzo Onumonu, Kenzo is a lawyer who works as a Senior Legal counsel for a venture capitalist.

Outside of his 9-5, Kenzo is also the creator of Forty - a provocative card game that’s designed to get people talking and sparks important conversations.

It was great to talk about the different external influences that can affect your chances of becoming a lawyer and we came to the conclusion that some of these influencers are already in the play from a very young age.

On this weeks episode; Kenzo tells us about the differences between solicitors and barristers, the key stakeholders of a lawyer, working in a creative start up company and why representation is super important.



Guest: Kenzo Onumonu (kenzoatfortycards.com)

Forty Cards- https://www.fortycards.com

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Please get in contact if you want to share your story or would like to recommend someone noteworthy who you think would be great for The Black Ladder podcast.

Email: theblackladderpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: TheBlackLadderPodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ladder_black

Editor: Peter from theOrdinaryAmazing.com

Music: Epidemic Sound

Logo: @Asacreativestudio

Today’s guest is Lorraine Copes MCIPS, she is the head of procurement at Corbin & King’s where she is responsible for group procurement, supply chain, quality assurance and the inventory system. 

She is a self certified foodie and is originally from Birmingham. Of all the roles Loraine tells us about, we notice that for about half of them, she has been approached or headhunted for the job. She explains how important networking and building relationship were in driving these opportunities. 

On this weeks episode; we talk about stakeholder relationships, the burger market in Kuwait, networking, bringing your whole self to work, champagne tastings and being black in the hospitality industry. 



Guest: Lorraine Copes (@BameInHospitality)

BAME in hospitality mentorship scheme: https://www.bameinhospitality.co.uk/mentors/



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Please get in contact if you want to share your story or would like to recommend someone noteworthy who you think would be great for The Black Ladder podcast. 

Email: theblackladderpodcast@gmail.com 

Instagram: TheBlackLadderPodcast 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ladder_black 

Editor: Peter from theOrdinaryAmazing.com 

Music: Epidemic Sound 

Logo: @Asacreativestudio

Today’s guest is Dr Nneka Abulokwe - a tech, digital governance and diversity specialist who is passionate about the intelligent use of technology and governance.

Her corporate career spans over 25 years, culminating in a return to her independent boutique consulting firm MicroMax - which is she is founder and CEO of.

She is also one of the first Afro-Caribbean professionals in the UK to sit on the board of a top European digital transformation organisation.

On this weeks episode; we talk about business etiquette, the exec level interview process, dance, being the only black woman in a board room and last but not least the OBE she was awarded in 2019 for services to Business by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Guest: Dr Nneka Abulokwe

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Episode layout:

Part 1 - Introduction to guest (Quick Fire)

Part 2 - Career ladder

Part 3 - Being black in their career

Part 4 - Top tips & Advice

Please get in contact if you want to share your story or would like to recommend someone noteworthy who you think would be great for The Black Ladder podcast.

Email: theblackladderpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: TheBlackLadderPodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ladder_black

Editor: Peter from theOrdinaryAmazing.com

Music: Epidemic Sound

Logo: @Asacreativestudio

Today’s guest is Dr Efosa Uwubamwen. Efosa is currently a full time model who’s career started whilst he was studying for his General Medicine degree In Czech Republic. He was scouted after a friend of his saw him in some nightclub photos on Facebook.

Efosa is a fashion model and one of the highlights he tells us about is his casting with the one and only Donatella Versace.

Travel is a big part of his job and he gives us a great insight into what it’s like to travel all of over the world as a Black Model

On this weeks episode; we talk about agencies, castings, being self employed, handling rejection, health and juggling a full time job whilst studying.

Guest: Dr Efosa

Share & subscribe to the podcast, there lots coming up.

Episode layout:

Part 1 - Introduction to guest (Quick Fire)

Part 2 - Career ladder

Part 3 - Being black in their career

Part 4 - Top tips & Advice

Please get in contact if you want to share your story or would like to recommend someone noteworthy who you think would be great for The Black Ladder podcast.

Email: theblackladderpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: TheBlackLadderPodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ladder_black

Editor: Peter from theOrdinaryAmazing.com

Music: Epidemic Sound

Logo: @Asacreativestudio

Today’s guest is Steven Apampa. Steven is a Digital Brand Manager at Nike where he plays a role in providing consumers with the best digital experiences. He primarily manages Nike’s digital content on Foot Locker’s channels.

Prior to starting with Nike, Steven completed a Football Industries MBA before having a week to pack up and move to Amsterdam, as the Nike Headquarters are in Holland.

He loves football and his favourite colour is red so if you put 2 and 2 together, that would make his football team - Manchester United.

On this weeks episode; we talk about racism in football, doing what interests you, marketing yourself, keeping your passion alive in your career and Lebron James.

I also learn that I’ve been saying “Nike” wrong for years, so stay tuned to find out what the right way is…



Guest: Steven Apampa (Linkedin & Instagram)

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Episode layout:

Part 1 - Introduction to guest (Quick Fire)

Part 2 - Career ladder 

Part 3 - Being black in their career

Part 4 - Top tips & Advice

Please get in contact if you want to share your story or would like to recommend someone noteworthy who you think would be great for The Black Ladder podcast.

Email: theblackladderpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: TheBlackLadderPodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ladder_black

Editor: Peter from theOrdinaryAmazing.com

Music: Epidemic Sound

Logo: @Asacreativestudio

Today’s guest is Tola Apampa. Tola is Risk advisory and audit manager at Deloitte. Im sure you heard Deloitte and audit and you’re probably thinking he’s an auditor, but you’re wrong; he’s way too cool for that. Tola manages the large scale Robotics & Intelligent Automations division where he specialise in the Financial Sector working with tier 1 & 2 banks.

On this weeks episode we talk about doing things at the right time, business chemistry, tech in the banking world, blue prism, converting a contracting role to a permanent one, unconscious bias and my personal favourite, robots!

Two words that continually come to mind for me on this episode were perseverance and patience.

Tola starts this episode off by telling us that he never does things the easy way, so stay tuned to find out more about his route to becoming a manager at the age of 27!



Guest details: Tola Apampa 

Share & subscribe to the podcast, there lots coming up.

Episode layout:

Part 1 - Introduction to guest (Quick Fire)

Part 2 - Career ladder + being black in that career

Part 3 - Top tips

Please get in contact if you want to share your story or would like to recommend someone noteworthy who you think would be great for The Black Ladder podcast.

Email: theblackladderpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: TheBlackLadderPodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ladder_black

Editor: Peter from theOrdinaryAmazing.com

Music: Epidemic Sound

Logo: @Asacreativestudio