Westminster Diversity & Inclusion Festival

Join us at the inaugural Westminster Inclusion & Diversity Festival - the theme this year is Agents of Change. We will showcase individuals and companies that are driving transformative change towards inclusion, retention and representation of all identity, social and cultural intersections in entrepreneurship and the creative, tech, media and digital industries.

What will the Event Offer?

Inspirational Stories

10 minute talks delivered by inspirational individuals from a broad spectrum of career and industry fields who represent diverse identity intersections. Each speaker will share their individual journey, achievements and highlight how they are advocating for diversity and inclusion.

Panel Discussion and Q&A

An open discussion with leaders from organisations driving change, offering support and opportunities for underrepresented groups. And, those that deliver services that educate and assist organisations to implement diverse and inclusive practices in the workplace.

Live Performances

Live spoken and musical performances related to the topics and viewpoints shared by speakers.

Networking & Dinner Buffet

The event will close with a networking dinner buffet and drinks.

Speakers & Organisations

Aaron Carty: Co-Founder We Are Carve and The Beyonce Experience

Amit Patel: Founder & Creative Director, Experience Haus

Anick Soni: Career Mentoring Professional & Multidisciplinary Creative Producer & Researcher

Calum Hall: Founder, Creative Debuts

Deborah Okenla: Founder YSYS

Emma Joy Obanye: Entrepreneur in Residence (One Tech) & Founder of: Mindful Team, Journe & BuddyBounce

Ibrahim Kamara: Co-Founder, GUAP

Jamie Wareham : Journalist & Digital Content Producer, Attitude Magazine

Leyya Sattar: Co-Founder & Head of Partnerships, The Other Box

Shannie Mears: Co-Founder, The Elephant Room

Sulaiman Khan:Founder & Chief Purpose Office; ThisAbility

Yasmin Sheikh : International Speaker & Founder of Diverse Matters

Find out more about the speakers here.

What topics will be covered?

• Celebrating Progress: What has changed and how do we move the conversation forward?
• The Gaps, Issues & Barriers: What challenges exist and what more needs to be done?
• Overcoming Adversity: Individual stories on perseverance and overcoming barriers
• Taking Action: The support and opportunities available for individuals, and services available for organisations to aid them to be more inclusive
• Change-Makers: Highlighting organisations and individuals driving real long-lasting and transformational change

Who is the event best suited for?

This event is open to the public and University of Westminster students, alumni and staff community seeking insights, opportunities, inspiration and to build networks. Specifically, we invite job seekers, entrepreneurs and all active opportunity and service providers that empower and support underrepresented gender, ethnicity, disability or sexuality groups and intersections.

The event has limited seating capacity early registration is strongly advised. If you find that you are unable to attend, please cancel your booking to allow for others the opportunity to book a ticket, should the event be sold out.

Please note: We are committed to ensure all our initiatives promote diversity and inclusion and support equal-opportunities for all. To help us achieve this and monitor our success in this area, you will be asked questions on how you identify during the registration process. You will have the option to not disclose for each of these questions.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) notice

This event is organised by the Creative Enterprise Centre - owned and operated by the University of Westminster.

We will collect and store your registration data for auditing and evaluation purposes only. We will hold and store the registration data provided for no longer than is necessary, and in accordance with the University data protection and privacy policy.

The Creative Enterprise Centre will treat your data with respect and will not share your data with any other third parties that are not involved with the delivery of the event or funding of the project without your consent.

You can view the University of Westminster Personal Data Protection Policy Here.

Video and/or Photography Notice

Please note this event or part of it may be filmed by audio, visual, audio-visual or electronic means or photographed, including photographs of individuals or groups of guests.

By attending this event, you agree to permit the Creative Enterprise Centre and the University of Westminster to use and distribute such footage and photographs, which may feature images of You, in all or any media (including the internet and social media) whether now known or hereafter to be invented throughout the world in perpetuity for the purposes of advertising, publicity, reporting and otherwise in relation to the exploitation of such recordings and photographs.

Please inform the event organisers and the videographer/photographer on the event day if you do not wish to be included in any individual or group photograph.