I Can Represent

Ruth Badru is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Bristol. Her research focuses on macroeconomic policy, structural inequality, gender and care, and the political economy of knowledge. Working across both theoretical and empirical traditions, she draws on culturally grounded economic perspectives to examine how models and policies respond to equity, distributional, and developmental concerns. She currently leads the Research England-funded Bristol Transport Project, co-producing policy solutions with policymakers, transport providers, and community organisations to improve access and inclusion for under-served communities.Ruth contributes to national policy through the UK Women’s Budget Group’s Policy Advisory Group and has previously advised the Australian Government’s Office for Women on women’s economic participation. She is also the founding lead of the Rethinking Economics for Africa project and has collaborated with partners across the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Nigeria, and other West African countries on research, teaching, and public policy. Her work bridges academic, policy, and civic spaces with a sustained commitment to inclusive policies and the public role of economics.

Zakiyah is a globally experienced professional makeup artist with nearly a decade in the industry. Her work has taken her around the world, collaborating with well-known names and respected publications. Through following her passion and consistently honing her craft, Zakiyah has not only built a successful career but also found purpose and personal growth along the way. She’s passionate about inspiring young girls to believe in themselves, embrace their individuality, and pursue what lights them.Website: www.zakiyahshani.co.ukEmail: [email protected]: @zakiyahshani

Ayesha Gilesjoined Avon and Somerset Police in December 2004 at the age of 21 after finishing her degree in psychology, she was promoted to detective sergeant in 2014, detective inspector in 2017 and detective chief inspector in 2019. Ayesha has worked in CID main office, Intelligence, strategic change and was the head of counter corruption unit, she is now the lead for tackling disproportionality and lead a change programme on trust and confidence.

Ngaio has many different strings to her bow. A lover of new people, collaborations and minds, her works is embedded in building community out of individuality. Her colourful portfolio career is based on values of authenticity, identity, compassion and honesty.Ngaio, the versatile artist renowned for her vocals, songwriting, and DJing prowess, seamlessly blends these talents to craft electrifying live performances. Debutsher first self-produced EP 'Four Quarters' and accompanyinglive show. As a mixed-race woman, Ngaio infuses her artistry with personal experiences, enriching her music withpoignant storytelling told through spoken word and jazz-infused vocals delivered with passion.As an inclusion and diversity consultant specialising in working with cultural organisations and festivals, Ngaio run's various pieces of training in understanding differences, unconscious bias, multicultural marketing and how tocreate diverse workforces as well as power structures within organisations. She consults on a freelance basis and run workshops as part of a collective named Insight Into Action. Previous clients have included Boomtown Festival, Shambala Festival, Artspace Lifespace, Bristol City Council and more.As well as performing, Ngaio founded Booty Bass as a space for women and non binary folk to come together and play big, bad, unapologetic bangers. Since its conception in 2018it’s become a space that promotes an appreciation of different cultures and sounds from across the world where dancing and laughing is key.

Keri Andriana chief executive & founder of Amschela Originating from Bristol, Keri is a multi-award winning self-taught handbag designer, entrepreneur and founding CEO of Amschela, a global vegan handbag company headquartered in England. Prior to founding the brand, she was a lawyer for 15 years,specialising in Prison Law & Reform. The brand also operates a social mobility programme providing opportunities for young people wishing to pursue careers in the fashion industry who face barriers to access. Keri has a keen interest in expanding the opportunities inbusiness entrepreneurship for others, and is;·      A student mentor for the University of Bristol, UK ·      A business mentor for budding Entreprenuer's on the Rise Mentorship Programme ·      A business skills apprentice tutor for the following apprenticeship schemes assessing learners on the following apprenticeships; L3 Business Administration L3 Customer Service L2 Customer Service.Keri is also an Author: A Fashion CEO’s Journal For TheAspiring Entreprenuer : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Style-StrategyFashion-Aspiring-EntreprenuerAwards /nominations/Appearances ·      Fashion Award 2020 - Nominee SW Luxury Retailer of Year 2020 - Winner ·      MTM Business of Year 2019 - Winner ·      Great British Entreprenuer of Year 2018 - Finalist ·      Small British Business of Year 2018 - Finalist ·      Rise Entreprenuer of Year 2018 - Winner ·      Power of A Woman Award 2022 – Winner ·      Style & Apparel Award 2023 - Social Mobility - Winner ·       5 x London Fashion Week selected brand ·      2023 London Fashion Awards selected celebrity goodie bag brand

Muneera is an international Poet, Cultural Producer, Writer, Community Researcher, Broadcaster,  TEDx Speaker  and WOW Festival Speaker. She conducts workshops, shares art, guest lectures, hosts, and finds alternative ways to educate and exchange ideas while focusing on methodologies of empowerment for non-centred people. At heart, Muneera is a storyteller, concerned with telling stories to disrupt mainstream narratives of non centred people globally and to beautify truths that are rarely told. Muneera regularly contributes to Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2,  she is an Alumni  Associate Artist with The English Touring Theatre, and she is an in-house poet and thinker, with In Between Time where she developed The Joy Project.   Muneera has written for The Guardian, Huffington Post, The Independent, Al Jazeera, Black Ballard and various other digital and print platforms. She has been featured across the BBC network including BBC News, as well as Sky News, Sky Arts, and various other television channels. She etches a poetic space of dialogue which is accessible to all regardless of religious and cultural boundaries. Rooted in spirituality she uses communication and art for edification, enrichment and change. Her Debut Poetry collection 'That Day She’ll Proclaim Her Chronicles’ was released in November 2021 through Burning Eye Books. 

This week’s episode will focus on Black women working in the Arts sector, working as a writer for TV, stage and film with Jenny Davis.  Jenny writes for TV, stage and film. Jenny’s theatre credits include THE FRONT ROOM (Oval House); WEDDING CHORUS; FIFTEEN MINUTES OF WONDER (Bristol Old Vic); LOOKING FOR MR DARCY. Jenny was also founder-producer of MISSING PIECES a script in hand showcase of Black Theatre, co-produced with Bristol Old Vic. In TV, Jenny was a regular writer on the BBC’s daytime drama series DOCTORS and then following a successful application to the prestigious BBC’s WRITERS ACADEMY she went on to write on EASTENDERS, HOLBY and CASUALTY. Jenny is currently under commission by the BBC to write an original drama series pilot with production company Firebird Pictures.

This week's episode we will be focusing on women who work in the marketing and AT sector with Joyann Boyce. Joyann is the Founder and CEO of InClued.ai, a new platform that helps marketing teams to reduce bias, protect brand reputation and reach wider audiences. Her mission is to establish Inclusive Marketing as an industry standard. She is an award-winning entrepreneur with over six years of consulting experience for brands such as Coke, Social Point, Adobe, and Nationwide. Joyann has successfully combined her master's in Data Science (specialising in bias detection) with her marketing expertise to pinpoint content that can either elevate or harm brand reputation. She is also the host of the Marketing Made Inclusive Podcast, where she shares her insights on the changes needed in the marketing sector with a global audience. Her commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of brand communications is evident in every aspect of her work and has earned her international recognition, including a feature on the BBC.

This week’s episode will focus on Black women working in the Education sector, with Aisha Thomas. To build a more inclusive education system, the teaching workforce must be representative of the communities they seek to serve– and yet people of colour are considerably underrepresented in the teaching workforce, especially among school leaders. Aisha's career began in law but took a transformative turn towards education, where she quickly became an influential Assistant Principal at a secondary school in East Central Bristol. Now leading Representation Matters Ltd, she focuses on anti-racist practice, equity, and justice in education. As a university guest lecturer and the author of 'Becoming an Anti-Racist Educator' (2022), Aisha is at the forefront of shaping future educators. Her doctoral research explores anti-racist practices in educational leadership, furthering her commitment to systemic change. Aisha's impact extends beyond academia; she's a recognised voice in media, highlighted by her BBC documentary on the scarcity of black teachers in Bristol and her TEDx talk on the importance of representation. Aisha's dedication to social justice is acknowledged through numerous awards: the Positive Role Model at the Bristol Diversity Awards (2020), Special Recognition from Bristol Black History Month magazine (2021), Baton Awards Campaigner of the Year (2021), Rise Awards Entrepreneur of the Year (2022), and an MBE (2022). In 2023, she was honoured as Inspiration Mum of the Year, showcasing her role as a pivotal figure in both her family and the broader community.

This week’s episode will focus on Black women working in the Legal sector. I am very excited to introduce my guest today, Marti Burgess a Partner with Knights Since 1999, Marti have practised as a lawyer. She is a partner at Knights, a national law firm with over 23 offices throughout the UK. She is an experienced corporate lawyer. In 1994 before Marti became a lawyer along with her brother, they secured VC finance to acquire a 1200 capacity nightclub. She was one of the key strategists in turning ‘Lakota’ into an internationally renowned music venue specialising in underground music. Lakota is now an established fixture in Bristol’s cultural landscape. She has very limited involvement in the day to day running although helps set strategy and work with the promotions and marketing team to ensure Lakota remains current whilst retaining its underground ethos.  The family business also owns a few properties in and around Stokes Croft.Marti is the chair the Black Southwest Network which is a black-led racial justice charity which supports the development of dynamic, independent, and strong black and minoritised communities, businesses and organisations to flourish whilst challenging system barriers. She is also a trustee and vice-chair for the Bristol Legacy Foundation.  And also sit on the board of Bristol Music Trust (operates the Bristol Beacon) and 91 Ways a social enterprise that brings the different communities of Bristol together using food as a medium.