Name: Patrice Hinds
Profession: Managing Director Inspirational Ideas
Region: London
Interests: Fashion – Pat has always loved fashion and clothing which is why he went into the fashion business. Music - Pat was brought up on music and has fond early memories of being in the front room with his father playing Jazz, Funk, Soul, and Reggae. From his early years of going to NYC he has a passion for Hip Hop and Dance music and anything with a heavy Baseline!! Art – He loves the creativity of Art and believes you can do anything you want to express yourself through Art. Cooking – Is his passion and relaxes him. He also loves seeing people smile when they feel contented. Keeping fit – Healthy Mind Healthy Soul!
Name: Gifford Sutherland
Profession: Founder / Director Foundation4life
Region: London
Interests: Gifford’s passion for improving the lives of young people is at the forefront of his work and personal life. His community based organisation F4L specialise in working with young people living high risk lifestyles including individuals affected by gangs and serious youth violence. Gifford Is also Vice-Chairman of Race On The Agenda (ROTA) one of Britain's leading social policy think-tanks focusing on issues that affect Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.
Name: Tony Henry
Profession: Director Elevation7
Region: London
Interests: Tony’s life is driven by his faith in God, his passion is to enable others to succeed and he has a spirit of creativity in everything does. Whether you know him as wealth consultant, coach (boxing, life, education) mentor, motivational speaker, salsa dancer or friend he wants you to walk away from him with a can do mentality.
Name: Jason Arday
Profession: Senior Lecturer of Physical Education and Sociology
Region: London
Interests: Jason's social interests revolve around his charity work in fundraising and consultancy capacities. He has been fortunate to work with over 72 charities nationally over the last 10 years, in the process being involved in several significant fundraising drives and initiatives. Additionally, he is a huge fan of live music, fashion and obviously Sport!
Name: Michael Ohajuru
Profession: Retired (Sales and Marketing Director)
Region: London
Interests: In addition to supporting young people, Michael has a passion for Art and Art History especially the Image of the Black in Renaissance Art; He regularly writes and speaks about these subjects. Along with these interests Michael also has a keen interest in container gardening, photography, volunteering and keeping mind and body fit for purpose.
Name: Hepburn Harrison Graham
Profession: Actor/Broadcaster/Teacher
Region: London
Interests: Hepburn’s main social interest is sport, particularly football. Manchester United is his team and has been ever since 1968, when the 'holy trinity' of Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law were in their pomp. Thanks to the all conquering West Indian teams of the seventies and eighties, he also has a fondness for international cricket. Away from sport Hepburn likes to read about black history, watch movies and visit the theatre. When money and time allows he likes to travel, his ambition is to visit every Island in the Caribbean and the entire continent of Africa.
Name: Lee Pinkerton
Profession: Communications Officer (Writer)
Region: London
Interests: Lee’s interests influence his journalistic/writing/career choices. He couldn't have been an arts journalist without being passionate about Black music, movies, theatre and comedy.
Favourite artist - James Brown
favourite Rap group - Public Enemy
Favourite movie - Scarface
Favourite film director - Spike Lee
Favourite comedian - Chris Rock
He is also passionately interested in the state of the African diaspora, particularly Black Britons - hence being moved to write his book The Problem with Black Men
Name: DD Armstrong
Profession: Author/Screenwriter/Playwright
Region: London
Interests: DD has a love for film, football, food and literature. He is co-founder of Square Yard Theatre and Production company and is passionate about inspiring young people through creative arts. DD enjoys debating literature and encouraging others to share their opinions on social issues through a mixture of role play and creative writing. He also believes luck is being well prepared for the unexpected opportunity.
Name: Bola Abisogun FRICS
Profession: Founder and Executive Director of Urbanis, a construction led support services company.
Region: London
Interests: Bola’s focus has always revolved around being the best that he can possibly be (still a work in progress!) and ensuring that others around him do the same. The words ‘can’t’ and ‘impossible’ do not exist in his vocabulary. He believes that there is a solution to every challenge in life; you just need to take a step back and work it out! He is passionate about young black men learning and embracing this worthwhile ‘life-lesson’, as early as possible in their lives. He absolutely worships his family; they are his rock and his greatest motivator to achieve true greatness in his lifetime. Socially, he’s a huge fan of technology and loves working with young people on new ideas that can [eventually] be monetised.
Name: Marcus Miller
Profession: Director, reyeurope.org
Region: London
Interests: Since 2003 Marcus has been working with young people across 10 London boroughs, to support them into the labour market. He has assisted young people through the delivery of employability focused workshops, providing 1:1 mentoring by facilitating work experience opportunities in the UK as well as across continental Europe (Spain, Italy, France and the Czech Republic), to enhance their practical and interpersonal skills. In his free time, Marcus loves to spend time with his two sons, enjoys athletics training and is a big fan of both House and Reggae music.
Name: Valentine Ogunba
Profession: Account Manager
Region: London
Interests: Valentine is passionate about writing, reading and music. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling, volunteering with young people and visiting galleries.
Name: Abel Okello
Profession: Telecommunications professional
Region: London
Interests: Having worked extensively across Africa for most of his career, Abel has a keen interest in the development of nations and people. His passion for seeing youth succeed and becoming valuable contributors to society has seen him work with youth groups in different areas, including sport, agriculture and technology. Abel’s list of interests is travelling, which enables him to experience and enjoy further interests that include food, music and culture. Having recently run a full marathon in 2018, Abel now has his eyes set on participating competitively in a Triathlon and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in the coming years.
Name: Olivia Ayorinde John
Profession: Business Programme Manager | Leadership Speaker
Region: Greater London | Kent
Interests: Africa - Olivia has recently returned to university to complete an MA in Africa Studies - economic development. She is passionate about understanding history and building for the future. Sports - Olivia enjoys running and cycling. She regularly runs to raise funds for various charities. Family - Olivia is a dedicated to her family. She is passionate about supporting her children in their development and growth.
Interests: Outside of developing others, Selina has a passion for Sport, Spanish, Travel and Family Fun. She enjoys spending time with her two young children, helping them flourish and grow personally, as well as teaching them to respect the world and the diversity that exists within it. To aide this, travel is a big part of her life, with India, Thailand, Costa Rica, and America among some of the places visited. Expanding on this journey is the desire to communicate fluently in a second language, Spanish, for which Selina is learning alongside her kids.
When not embarking on family fun, Selina will most likely be found training for some kind of adventure race. Hoping to complete a 70.3 triathlon one day, the 70.3 representing the number of miles covered across the swim, bike, run disciplines all in one go! Dream beyond limits, and live to achieve your dream
She enjoys sports, aerobics, dancing, playing board games, spending time with her children and grandchildren and is very driven by her faith in God.
Jacqueline is very active within her church, especially within Women's Ministries, and has been delivering her Woman of Faith programme to women of all denominations, here in London and Ipswich. She is the Chair of the Society of Emotional Intelligence UK and Board Chair & International Liaison for Society of Emotional Intelligence USA. She is a published author and has delivered keynote speeches internationally on Emotional Intelligence within Health and Social Care settings.
She is very supportive in her son's education and, has been inducting him into the EQ & CQ concept and principles, which has helped him tremendously.
