Tell us a little more about yourself and your career to date.
I’m a north Londoner of Nigerian and European parentage. I went to university in Sheffield to study my first degree in Social Studies. I have had a few career changes throughout my life balancing family priorities etc. But I have always worked advocating on behalf of others because I love people and dislike injustice. My first ever job was at a Saturday School/Play-scheme which taught Black children supplementary education. They were known as Saturday Schools. I loved it.
More recently I was the Co-director of an anti-racist charity and I worked there for over 6 years. My previous work has been customer-facing just in a very different way. To date, I have worked in the fields of domestic violence, community work, mental health, race and religious hate crime, EDI and now hospitality. Ten years ago, I completed a Master’s degree in Women’s and Equalities Studies and I am also attempting to get a PHD together. I have had a bit of a career journey!
The hospitality industry has always interested me, in the ability to serve and give pleasure to others. Restaurants and hotels are what I think of when it’s a wedding, a celebration of birth, or a milestone birthday. Whenever something positive is happening, such as a life landmark, hospitality is involved. So, at present, I’m learning all about hospitality, and I can see the passion those involved in the industry have. It’s infectious. I am honoured to now be part of the hospitality family.
It’s International Women’s Day on 8 March, what does this day mean to you?
I celebrate being a woman all day, every day, all year round, but I know there is a vast amount of work still to be done. I believe although we are seeing leaps and bounds from amazing, trailblazing, and pioneering women, there is a long way to go for women to achieve equality in the workplace. Women make up 52% of the population but this does not translate to equal decision-making positions within employment. If we had true equality as women, we would not need a specific day to raise awareness. I feel somehow International Women’s Day can seem performative, with people posting online about empowerment and allyship. The real work to combat inequality needs to be done in society and in the workplace.
I know some amazing women that I love, and we elevate and inspire each other. That sisterhood and unity get me through life, and I am lucky and honoured to have these women in my circle.
As the Institute of Hospitality’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) lead, what do you feel needs to still be done to achieve gender equality in the workplace?
It’s a big question but I am honoured to be asked so I can answer it. The first word I would use when it comes to gender equality is intersectionality. Intersectionality is the term used to explain how people experience the world differently based on their different identities. The term was coined by scholar Kimberlie Crenshaw in 1989. For example, a Black man experiences racism differently from a Black woman. An Asian woman will experience sexism differently from a White woman. Questions we need to ask ourselves: Are we truly addressing gender equity in the workplace if we aren’t acknowledging the different experiences of black women and women of colour? Are we ignoring disabled women’s voices when discussing gender equality at work? Are we negating trans-womens’ lived experiences of inequality by exclusion from decision-making? Are gender equality initiatives omitting the analysis of huge socio-economic disparities by replacing wealthy men at the top of the industry with wealthy women?
These are really difficult questions that we must answer to ensure gender EDI initiatives are impactful and stand the test of time.
Have you ever experienced bias or discrimination because of your gender or indeed being a woman of colour during your career?
Absolutely, I have experienced sexism and racism in my career, I defy you to find a woman who has not experienced discrimination at work. Some of the discrimination was so awful that I ended up angry and upset and some of it was benevolent. As a very young woman, I was once asked to put on extra lipstick by a manager whilst working on the shop floor. I’m ashamed to say I complied, I wouldn’t now. I will give you another example: If I’m called ‘love’ ‘poppet’ or any other demeaning sexist term (yes it still happens), I will respond with ‘would you call -insert man’s name- poppet?’ Management of emotions is important when dealing with discrimination. It is so much better to respond than react if at all possible. It always works.
What advice would you give to young women starting their hospitality careers?
Stand in your power, and don’t ever let anyone make you feel less for being a woman. Remember nobody looks bigger or better by putting others down. Most importantly seize the opportunities that come your way, you won’t regret it. Also, go above and beyond to be the best you can and self-reflect every day.
Why say ‘I’min’- #imin to the Institute of Hospitality?
The IoH is a special place. I can say that wholeheartedly. What a positive and supportive environment. I think the IoH are in a very interesting position within the hospitality industry as we have longevity. We are evolving and want all to come on this exciting journey – 85 years and still going strong is no mean feat. We are already preparing to mark the centenary. The IoH are our members – we offer education, support, and best practice to the industry. We listen and consistently maintain high standards. And the thing is, we do this globally. That is unique. We must always remember hospitality is global and collaborative. The reach we have is immense.
What’s the most Wonderful, Worst and downright Weird thing to happen to you during your career?
Wonderful: I think it’s when I’ve received feedback from clients. I am client-focused. One client called me and said she could not have gone on the journey and achieved justice challenging racism without my assistance. That filled me with joy. It’s so important to put people at the centre of what you do, it’s everything.
Worst: Thinking a job would be something it wasn’t and feeling so deflated. Luckily, I can’t be kept down for too long, so I bounced back pretty fast and left to do something much more fulfilling.
Weirdest: Meeting a very famous person in the legal field who is one of my heroes and being literally stuck for words and starry-eyed. Anyone who knows me knows I’m rarely at a loss for something to say. That was weird.
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