Sal Naseem Shares the Dark Truth About Racism, Resilience and Denial

This episode isn't just for people like Sal Naseem, it's for anyone with the power to listen, learn, and act. Sal Naseem, author of True North: A Story of Racism, Resilience & Resisting Systems of Denial, has lived through it all: the relentless racism, the concrete / glass / all the ceilings, and the fight to create change within resistant institutions. From a childhood shaped by violence and survival instincts to becoming the Regional Director for London and National Discrimination Lead at the Independent Office for Police Conduct, Sal's journey is one of courage, resilience, and transformation. In many ways he didn't have a choice. Raised in a family that ran a community shop, Sal's early life was steeped in love, kindness and generosity. His father, a stoic figure, believed in building relationships and earning respect through actions. Yet the shop wasn't just a place of warmth; it was a frontline to help and support the community. Unfortunately, Sal also faced threats daily - machetes, syringes, fire. Sal learned to navigate a world that tested him at every turn. But survival wasn't enough. Sal couldn't stay silent. It's not in his nature. During the George Floyd protests in 2020, he became a public voice for accountability in policing, taking on immense personal and professional risk to call out systemic racism. He learned that driving change meant enduring isolation, backlash, and relentless scrutiny not to mention Personal Attacks. This episode will challenge you to rethink what it means to lead, to survive, and to create change: - The Cost of Courage: Sal opens up about his battles with institutional resistance, the mental toll of being on the frontline, and the price he paid for standing up for what's right - Kindness as a Weapon: His father's legacy of respect and generosity shaped Sal's belief in community-building, even in the face of hatred - Lessons for Leaders: If you hold the power to make decisions, this is your chance to understand what it feels like to navigate systems of denial Sal's story isn't just about resilience; it's a call to action. For leaders, for allies, and for anyone willing to see the world through a lens of accountability and fairness, this episode is a must-listen. To understand what one man can be put through and be standing at the end with his head held high. This isn't just another podcast, it's reality. It's a raw, unfiltered look at what it takes to drive change when the odds are stacked against you. 🎧 This is part 1 of Sal's powerful story. Whether you can relate or not, this is for you if you want to learn, grow, and use your position to create a kinder, fairer world. Change starts with understanding, which starts right here Guest: https://www.instagram.com/sal_naseem https://www.linkedin.com/in/sal-naseem Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997 Watch on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcasts Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45ad Social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast Website: https://www.playforchange.co.uk/aclassoftheirownpodcast Host: Mira Magecha https://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagecha https://www.instagram.com/mira_magecha Creative Director: Alex Payne https://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayne Editor: Josh Partridge https://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker Music: Jay Witsey https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey Studio: Podcast House https://www.podcasthouse.uk Episode bought to you by: play for change https://www.playforchange.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/play_forchange https://www.linkedin.com/company/playforchangeltd