Presumed Incompetent, Proven Qualified: An Evening with Shari Dunn

The Young Africa Centre (YAC) will kick off Black History Month with an intimate evening at The Africa Centre, featuring U.S. author, attorney, and racial equity leader Shari Dunn, who will share the story behind her groundbreaking book, Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work.

Part personal journey, part practical guide, Qualified shines a light on the barriers Black professionals face in the workplace – from “competency checking” to being presumed incompetent – and equips readers with the tools to stand firm in their power and pride.

In this live fireside chat, Shari will:

• Share her journey from attorney to author and CEO.
• Unpack the phenomenon of “presumed incompetence” and how it manifests in workplaces on both sides of the Atlantic.
• Share tips on building confidence and recognising your own qualifications even when others don’t.
• Call leaders, allies and communities to action on creating truly equitable environments.

Partnering with Bounce Black and Roundtable Books, we'll also host an audience Q&A, provide networking opportunities, and give you the chance to buy a signed copy of Qualified.

Whether you’re a professional navigating bias, a student planning your career, a leader seeking to do better, or an ally committed to equity, this is an evening of insight, encouragement and practical takeaways you won’t want to miss.

About Shari Dunn

Shari Dunn is an attorney, journalist and the CEO of ITBOM, LLC. Known for her award-winning leadership in racial equity and inclusion, she is the author of Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work (HarperCollins, 2025). Drawing on her own journey and years of advocacy, Shari equips individuals and organisations to challenge bias, stand firm in their power and rewrite limiting narratives.

About the Moderator

Nikki Adebiyi is the Founder and Director of Bounce Black, a social enterprise that supports Black students and professionals in thriving in wellbeing and at work. A writer, speaker and consultant on racial equity and trauma-informed practice, Nikki has hosted events in London and New York and moderated conversations for ForbesBLK and other leading platforms. Passionate about creating spaces for honest and healing dialogue, she will guide the discussion with Shari Dunn at The Africa Centre, where she co-leads the Young Africa Centre’s Partnerships and Advocacy.

All ticket sales from this event will be donated to the Young Africa Centre to help fund and enhance the ongoing events and programmes we're running for young people.