Black Create Connect Podcast

EP 106 - BTF is For All Ft Ashleigh Ainsley co-founder of ColourInTech

Ashleigh Ainsley is the co-founder of Colorintech, a leading non-profit on a mission to create a more inclusive tech industry by improving access, awareness, and opportunities for ethnic minorities. Under his leadership, Colorintech has grown into a major force in Europe’s tech scene, hosting BTF, one of the continent’s largest events for technologists and partnering with global giants like Meta, Google, Apple, Netflix, and Bloomberg to deliver impactful programs for students and professionals alike.
Ashleigh kicked off his career in strategy at Google, before taking on roles at high-growth start-up Qubit, corporate heavyweight KPMG, and later as a consultant on strategy and D&I initiatives. He’s also helped raise millions for philanthropic causes, cementing his role as a changemaker driving equity and innovation in the digital economy.
In this inspiring episode, Alicia and Ashleigh discuss his unexpected journey into entrepreneurship, driven more by community need than personal ambition. From being approached by a university to help students enter tech, he and his co-founder, Dion, decided to create a sustainable non-profit that empowers the next generation of diverse tech talent.
Ashley dives deep into the importance of class and race in shaping his experiences, offering insight into how shared life experiences can foster meaningful connections. Don’t miss this candid conversation about BTF, community, and breaking barriers in both tech and life.
 
Connect with him
www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighainsley/
www.instagram.com/colorintech/

EP 105 - Why Female UK Artists Deserves More ft Lauren Dwyer, Co-founder of Soul Girl Collective

Lauren Dwyer is a People Experience Business Partner at The Orchard/Sony Music looking after UK, Europe and Africa. She has well over 10 years experience within Talent Acquisition and HR. Lauren is also the co-founder of SoulGirl Collective, a platform dedicated to collaboration, community building and knowledge sharing for women in music. Additionally, she is a classically trained violinist, singer/songwriter, previously opening at shows for Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, Jhene Aiko and Erykah Badu
In this episode, Lauren shares her full circle moment — from navigating startups and song writing to overcoming creative block and finding her purpose at Sony. We explore how working in a music-led environment reignited her artistry and led to the creation of Soul Girl Collective, a powerful community of over 100 women in music.
In this Episode Alicia and Lauren speak on:
Facing workplace discrimination and how to deal with it
Building safe spaces for female creatives
The future of UK R&B and industry barriers
Why collaboration > competition
The push for a Code of Conduct in music, inspired by the Misogyny in Music Report
Plus a special rendition of an old school classic "What You Won't Do for Love" (1979)
You do not want to miss this!
Connect with Lauren
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-dwyer-33156998/Follow @soulgirlcollective to get involved

EP 104 - Leadership at DEPOP | Career Advice & Personal Reflections ft Rebecca Levy

Rebecca Levy, the powerhouse who traded stilettos for sneakers and PR for People Operations, becoming a driving force at sustainable fashion platform Depop. 
In this captivating episode, Rebecca takes us on her remarkable journey from the vibrant streets of San Antonio, Texas, to leading People, Culture and Impact at one of London's most innovative fashion-tech companies. She shares her fascinating path from writing fan letters to fashion designer Anna Sui to transforming workplace culture within her industry.
Join Rebecca, as she shares her inspiring career journey and personal reflections. Rebecca's story is a masterclass in authentic leadership, cultural identity, and the power of embracing change.
Key moments include:
The surprising pivot from fashion design dreams to PR and ultimately HR
Navigating visa challenges and building a career in London
Leading culture initiatives at Depop 
Balancing motherhood, career, and personal style (yes, those heels became sneakers!)
Preparing for an enviable one-month sabbatical in South Africa
Perfect for aspiring leaders, culture enthusiasts, and anyone interested in authentic stories of career transformation. Join us for honest conversation about representation, resilience, and redefining success in the modern workplace.
Connect with her
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-jordan-levy
Whether you're contemplating a career change, facing impostor syndrome, or simply love a good story of perseverance, Rebecca's insights on building genuine connections and fostering inclusive workplace cultures will leave you inspired and ready to take action.

Ep 103 - The GOAT of investing in BLACK founders ft Andy Davis

Andy Davis is on a mission to transform investing and empower Black entrepreneurs. This week's episode brings you an intimate conversation with Andy Davis, founder of 10x10 and former Director of Backstage Capital London.
This isn't your typical "started from the bottom" story. Andy takes us on a raw, unfiltered journey through his unique path to success - no university degree, no corporate ladder, just pure hustle and determination shaped by his Sierra Leonean mother's entrepreneurial spirit.
A leading angel investor and advocate for Black founders, Andy’s journey is one of resilience, innovation, and collective growth. As the Founder of 10x10, Andy has dedicated his career to breaking barriers and building opportunities for underrepresented communities.
In this deeply personal episode, Andy opens up about:
Why he's committed to transforming the European tech investment landscape
Building the ground breaking 10x10 Fund from scratch
The profound loss that shaped his urgency for success at age 17
Real talk about therapy, resilience, and maintaining mental health as a founder
Practical strategies for democratising venture capital
Perfect for your commute or morning walk, this episode is packed with actionable insights for founders, investors, and anyone passionate about creating lasting change in the investor space.
If you enjoy this episode, leave us a rating and review to help other listeners find this valuable content!

Ep 102 - Black Men in Premium Hairdressing ft Pashcan’el Mitchell

Pashcan’el Mitchell is a name you need to know in the world of hairdressing. With over a decade of experience, Pash has transformed from a salon stylist to an award-winning hairstylist, creating iconic looks featured in Vogue, Wonderland, Spell Magazine, Viper, Schick Magazine and Black Hair & Beauty, as well as creating high end hair looks on set for video shoots and live shows.
Starting his career in salons, he spent a number of years at Junior Green in Kensington, specialising in afro hair and solidifying his name in the scene.
Part of the Avlon education team, his work speaks for itself as he continues to shake up the afro hair scene with his unwavering passion, talent and creativity.
More recently, Pashcan’el was appointed lead educator for afro and textured hair across the Blue Tit salon group, running the training programme specific to this hair type.
 
In this episode Alicia and Pash discuss
The evolution of hairdressing from traditional techniques to modern tools like YouTube, and the critical need for diverse skills in consultations and cultural awareness.
Pash shares his journey from barbering to hairstyling, overcoming societal stigmas and finding his path with mentorship from Patricia Hope at Caprius Salon.
Blue Tit London and its commitment to creating an inclusive, diverse space for both clients and stylists 
The rich history of black hairdressing and the challenges within the industry, promoting the importance of understanding client demographics and cultural contexts.
 
Connect with Pash
https://www.instagram.com/pashcanel/

Ep 101 - Empowering Women in Tech: Building Careers ft Hosanna Hali, Founder of The Tech Cornr

Hosanna Hali, an accomplished Azure Specialist at Microsoft and the founder of The Tech Cornr joins the conversation with Alicia Richardson today. From her humble beginnings as a Computing and IT Management graduate to becoming a Solutions Engineer in Cybersecurity, Hosanna’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. 
Since starting her career in technology over two years ago, Hosanna has been using her experience to help guide, mentor and inspire the next generation of Women In Tech. Hosanna has participated in a number of Women In Tech Initiatives and in 2020 was highlighted as one of the ten influential Black British women who code and break down barriers by People of Color In Tech. 
Using her platform, The Tech Cornr, Hosanna aims to inform, inspire and empower her audience by sharing her story, tech resources and career advice across a number of social media platforms. Hosanna’s goal in life is to help open the tech doors to more women and girls.
In this Episode Alicia and Hosanna dive into
Hosanna’s growth Journey: her inspiring path from Congo to the UK, excelling in business, computing, and a thriving career at Microsoft.
Climbing the corporate ladder from Technology Strategist to Cybersecurity
Why seeking out sponsorship from senior leaders who can actively advocate for you can help with rapid career progression
Hosanna highlights the power of networking, mentorship, and self-belief in overcoming corporate hurdles and imposter syndrome.
Balancing Passions: She candidly discusses juggling her career with content creation and her vision to expand The Tech Corner through webinars and impactful events.
 
Connect with Hosanna here
LinkedIn: (99+) Hosanna Hali | LinkedIn
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thetechcornr/

Ep 100 - Award Winning Chess Champion and Founder of N0bs ft. Sabrina Chevannes

Sabrina Chevannes is the founder of N0BS - a members’ club for highly ambitious entrepreneurs, which also has an in-house creative agency – the No Bullsh*t Agency. Sabrina is an award-winning creative, having led her agency for over a decade and having the privilege to work with high profile clients such as NATO, Sony and the NHS.  
She has been recognised by the British Interactive Media Association as one of the top 100 creatives to watch for 2 years in a row. 
Sabrina is also an International Chess Master and an international poker player. She played chess for England and competed in multiple Chess Olympiads, and has recently competed in two European Poker Tours in Cyprus and Prague. 
As well as all this, Sabrina runs TEDxShoreditch and is an international public speaker herself, gracing the stage in 12 different countries. She is also the self-development leader at Forbes, a bestselling author, a podcaster and an MBA lecturer. 
Her early career; the challenges and triumphs of running a global business, 
She offers a unique insights into what it takes to build a no BS community and thrive in competitive industries.
Her other life endeavours such as being an International Chess Master
 
When she’s not working, she’s cuddling up to her Chow Chow, Bella.
Connect and Learn more about Sabrina here:
https://sabrinachevannes.com/
sabrina@sabrinachevannes.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinachevannes/?originalSubdomain=uk
 

Ep 99 - From overspending to investing ft Ola Majekodunmi, Founder of All Things Money

Ola, the founder of All Things Money, created the online platform to help adults navigate the financial challenges of adulthood. The platform was launched in 2020 during the first lockdown, following her journey of self-teaching how to invest in the stock market. Feeling overwhelmed by the process, she quickly realised how little is taught about investing and other crucial personal finance topics in schools and universities.
 
Motivated by this gap in education, Ola began sharing personal finance tips on social media to help young people manage their finances effectively. Since then, All Things Money has grown into a thriving online community of over 24,000 members, and even hosts a personal finance podcast.
 
In addition to the online content, Ola offers interactive personal finance workshops to colleges, universities, and organisations, aiming to address the financial literacy gap both in the UK and beyond. Passionate about making personal finance more engaging, she is on a mission to transform the way it is perceived.
 
In this episode, Alicia and Ola discuss:
"All Things Money": A personal finance platform for young adults, started during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Ola’s career shift and growing her platform due to the pandemic
The launch of "All Things Money" in April 2020
Investing Basics that Ola learned
The growth of All Things Money
Ola’s experience of overspending
The importance of personal interactions in financial education
Future Aspirations
Connect and Learn more about Ola here:
https://www.instagram.com/allthingsmoney_?igsh=MWs1NXA1amN6MW04NA==
 
https://linktr.ee/allthingsmoney_
 
 

Ep 98 - Winners Mindset - Meet the winner of Gordon Ramsay's TV Show ft Victoria Omobuwajo

Victoria Omobuwajo, a visionary entrepreneur, is the driving force behind Sunmo, a brand that redefines health-conscious living with its innovative product range. 
With a remarkable journey showcasing her tenacity, creativity, and business acumen, Victoria has made a significant impact on both the retail and direct-to-consumer industries. 
Victoria's dedication to sustainability and ethical sourcing sets Sunmo apart in the industry. By carefully selecting ingredients from local suppliers and implementing eco-friendly packaging practices, Sunmo has become a champion of environmental responsibility.
In an exciting development, renowned chef Gordon Ramsay recognised the immense potential of Sunmo and decided to join forces with Victoria as her business partner. His culinary expertise and strategic guidance have propelled Sunmo to new heights, solidifying its position as an industry frontrunner.
As Sunmo continues to captivate palates and revolutionise the food industry, Victoria Omobuwajo remains an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, proving that determination, creativity, and a genuine love for what you do can truly shape the world.
 
In this Episode Alicia and Victoria discuss: 
Her health journey and the motivation behind starting Sunmo.
The factors that led her investors to choose and support her.
The natural ingredients that contributed to curing her eczema.
The process involved in launching Sunmo at Selfridges.
What made her brand stand out at their first exhibition.
The value and significance of both online and offline branding.
Her experience of winning £150K on the Gordon Ramsay show.
Connect and Learn more about Victoria and Sunmo here:
https://uk.sunmosnacks.com/ 
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/victoria-omobuwajo-092b1884

Ep 97 - And this is why we need a voice ft Jo Penney, Founder Amp up your voice

Johanne Penney is the Founder & CEO of Amp Up Your Voice, a progressive anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion consultancy that partners with modern and progressive brands and businesses who are on their journey to authentically diversify their business and who want to be true advocates. Working up to and mainly at C-Suite level Johanne helps drive real change and elevates brands by ensuring inclusion and belonging and to authentically be part of the Racial Equity change movement.
She does this through a range of media: providing expert DEI consultancy services, devising long-term DEI strategies and delivering high energy, unique, educational engagement sessions. She is also a public speaker and mentors’ organisations that want to change and proactively champion DEI. Johanne also coaches individuals who need support around DEI, to navigate and grow their careers and those who are affected by systemic barriers to success.
She prides herself on being a positive disruptor and is also a culture writer and author of the eBook ‘The Road Map to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ - a guide on how to take positive action and drive inspirational change.
In this episode Jo and Alicia discuss:
The upbringing within the Jehovah's Witness community
Her journey discovering Caribbean culture
Overcoming discouragement from pursuing higher education
Experiencing extreme overt racial discrimination and its role in launching her business
The mission of Amp Up Your Voice in assisting organisations
www.ampupyourvoice.com or download the eBook: https://lnkd.in/e92iAYGB 
IG: @ampupyourvoice
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanne-penney-2114511a/