The Inclusive Companies has unveiled its third Diversity Power List, recognising both high-profile figures and unsung community heroes who are breaking barriers and making a lasting impact on society.
The Diversity Power List, which was unveiled at the Inclusive Awards Ceremony last week, has become a beacon of inspiration, showcasing individuals who champion inclusion across race, gender, sexuality, neurodiversity, and physical and mental health. The honourees span a wide spectrum of achievements, from creating safe spaces for marginalised communities to leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive social mobility and equity.
RECOGNISING GAME-CHANGERS
The 2024 honourees include celebrated figures like decorated Paralympian and TV presenter Hannah Cockroft OBE, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and BBC Proms Director David Pickard, alongside advocates such as disability rights champion Sophie Morgan. They are joined by senior leaders from major corporations like JP Morgan Chase & Co, Amazon, and Channel 4, highlighting a growing corporate commitment to diversity.
The list, however, isn’t just about famous names. It also honours grassroots activists, poets, authors, athletes, and innovators who are creating ripples of change in their communities. Sabah Choudrey, founder of Trans Pride Brighton, and Elliot Rae, presenter of the BBC documentary Redefining Masculinity, are just a few of the community-focused changemakers highlighted this year.
ADDRESSING INTERSECTIONALITY CHALLENGES
One standout theme this year is intersectionality, with honourees addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals who live with overlapping protected characteristics. From women navigating workplace biases to young people empowered through mentorship and technology, this year’s list celebrates breakthroughs in tackling layered forms of discrimination.
“Inclusivity isn’t just about one characteristic; it’s about understanding the richness and complexity of human identity,” shared Paul Sesay, CEO of Inclusive Companies and curator of the Diversity Power List. “These honourees remind us that lasting change often starts small – one person’s courage to take action can ignite a movement.”
Many of this year’s honourees are champions of grassroots change, embodying the idea that “diversity begins in communities.” Whether it’s Cassa Pancho MBE fostering representation through Ballet Black, or Simon Sansome revolutionising accessibility with the Snowball Community app, their work reflects how local initiatives can have a national, even global, impact.
DRIVING A MORE INCLUSIVE FUTURE
Technology and innovation also shine brightly on the 2024 list. Leaders like Dr. Shani Dhanda, a disability inclusion consultant, and Dr. Raphael Sofoluke, founder of the Black Business Show, demonstrate how AI, social media, and other tools are shaping the future of equity.
“Everyone has the power to support someone making a difference,” added Sesay. “Together, by amplifying these voices and efforts, we can create a more inclusive society for future generations.”
This year’s list features a broad range of influential figures, from trailblazing CEOs and thought leaders to community advocates and innovators. The Diversity Power List serves as a reminder that meaningful progress starts with individual actions. Whether it’s starting a conversation, championing workplace equity, or supporting grassroots initiatives, everyone has a role to play.
“Let’s look within our own communities and workplaces,” Sesay urged. “Diversity and inclusion aren’t abstract ideals – they’re commitments we make daily, in how we treat others and the opportunities we create.”
2024’S DIVERSITY POWER LIST HONOUREES
The 2024 Diversity Power List not only celebrates these commitments but inspires us all to be part of the solution. Check out the full list of this year’s honourees below.
- Flavilla Fongang – CEO, Black Rise
- Cecil Peters – Europe, Middle East & Africa Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, JPMorgan Chase & Co
- Dr Rashada Harry – Account Director, Enterprise Sales, Amazon Web Services
- Elliot Rae – BBC One Documentary Presenter: Redefining Masculinity and Male Allyship
- Ella Willis – Content Creator
- Berwyn Rowlands – Founder, Iris Prize
- Sadiq Khan – Mayor of London
- Jaspreet Kaur – Poet/Writer
- Sabah Choudrey – Founder, Trans Pride Brighton
- Claudine Adeyemi-Adams – Founder and CEO, Earlybird and Co-Chair of Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion
- Eleanor Mills – Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Noon
- Dee Whitnell – Freelance Content Creator, Journalist, Speaker & Trans Activist
- Ellie Middleton – Founder, (un)masked
- Faheem Khan – Founder and CEO, Future Leaders UK
- Joseph Galliano-Doig – Co-Founder and Director, Queer Britain
- Dr Raphael Sofoluke – Founder, Black Business Show
- Sarah Atkinson – Chief Executive Officer, The Social Mobility Foundation
- Leila McKenzie-Delis – CEO & Founder, DIAL Global
- Marcia Brissett-Bailey – Rising Stars 100 Winner 2024, Co-Founder of BleND
- Tony Kelly – Diabetes Ambassador
- Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE – Author, Speaker, and Presenter
- David Pickard – Director, BBC Proms
- Sophie Pender – Founder, The 93% Club
- James Timpson – Minister for Prisons, Probation & Reducing Reoffending: ex-CEO of Timpson
- Cassa Pancho MBE – Founder, Ballet Black
- Nancy Doyle – Founder, Genius Within
- Alex Mahon – CEO of Channel 4
- Veronica Martin OBE – Founder, Beyond Our Youth and Black Leaders Awareness Day
- Sophie Morgan – British Television Presenter and Disability Advocate
- Marty Davies – writer, activist, cultural strategist and founder of Trans+ History Week
- Sarah Garrett – CEO & Founder, Investing in Ethnicity and British LGBT & Ethnicity Awards
- Dr Shirley Woods-Gallagher – Inspirational Speaker, Podcaster, and Advisor
- Jannett Morgan – Director, JM Learning & Skills Ltd
- Professor Udy Archibong MBE – Professor of Diversity, University of Bradford
- Jon Attenborough – Sports and Inclusion Consultant
- Charlene Gravesande – Founder and CEO of Sports Media Production Company Ink Media Ltd
- Simon Sansome – Founder, Snowball Community App & Disability Consultant
- Hannah Cockroft OBE– British Wheelchair Racer and TV Presenter
- Deborah Garlick – Founder and CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace
- Lucy Ruck – Taskforce Manager at Business Disability Forum (BDF)
- Veronica Kumeta – Co-Founder and COO of Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer (LFBC)
- Jodie Hill – CEO, Thrive Law
- Gary Trowsdale – Founder Hope Collective- Youth Advocate and Anti-Violence Campaigner
- Binita Kane – Co-Founder, South Asian Heritage Month
- Carol Stewart – Leadership Coach and Advocate for Introverted Women
- Jacqueline Onalo – Human Rights Lawyer and ED&I Expert
- Ariel Chapman – Executive Director, KeshetUK
- Ben Jackson – Head of ED&I, Wickes
- Dr Shani Dhanda – Multi-Award-Winning Disability Inclusion & Accessibility Consultant
- Oly Newton – Mental Health Advocate
RELATED ARTICLES
Diversity Power List Honours UK’s 50 most inspiring diversity and inclusion champions.
The 2024 Inclusive Awards unveiled this year’s diversity and inclusion champions at a ceremony in Manchester on 28th November.
2024’s National diversity Awards celebrate the UK’s unsung diversity and inclusion champions.
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