Intelligence Squared

Trailblazers: Women Leading the Way

Oct 18, 2019

This conversation features Diane Abbott, the UK’s first black female MP, alongside journalist Yomi Adegoke, author Bernardine Evaristo, singer Corinne Bailey Rae, and broadcaster Mishal Husain. They discuss the intersectionality of race and gender in the workplace, sharing personal stories of resilience against systemic barriers. Topics include navigating identity, the importance of mentorship, and the evolving representation of women of color in media and politics. The panel emphasizes community support and authentic self-expression as key to overcoming challenges.

01:33:55

Creator website

Episode guests

Mishal Husain

Corinne Bailey Rae

Bernardine Evaristo OBE

Yomi Adegoke

Diane Abbott

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Diversity and Resilience: Women of Color Panel

11min

Finding My Voice in Politics

6min

Navigating Identity and Advocacy

8min

Navigating Failure and Success: A Personal Journey

26min

Navigating Race and Gender in Media

8min

Embracing Authenticity in the Music Industry

4min

Navigating Identity and Confidence

17min

Empowering Voices: Women of Color in Publishing

10min

10.

Embracing Joy and Community: Closing Reflections

2min

Women of colour have to navigate a world of work where they are often discriminated against because of their race as well as their gender. Prejudice in recruitment, opportunities for promotion, pay gaps, microaggressions – the list goes on. Moments that seemed like major turning points can fizzle out: Diane Abbott made history when she became the first black woman elected to Parliament in 1987 but it wasn’t until 2010 that Britain elected its first female Asian MPs. Halle Berry became the first black woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress in 2001 but since then we’ve seen 18 white actresses in a row pick up the award. Gender diversity in FTSE 100 companies is improving but today, out of the six female CEOs, not one is a woman of colour.

Still, it’s not all bad news. Despite the challenges, women of colour are increasingly making their way to the top and carving out a new ‘normal’ for younger generations. To celebrate their success and share how they got there, Intelligence Squared and gal-dem are partnering to bring together pioneers from the worlds of media, politics and culture.

Our panel includes Diane Abbott, Shadow Home Secretary and the UK’s first black female MP; Mishal Husain, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today programme; Corinne Bailey Rae, award-winning singer-songwriter, Yomi Adegoke, co-author of Slay in Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible, and Bernardine Evaristo, an author shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize with her novel Girl, Woman, Other. The conversation will be chaired by journalist and political activist Ash Sarkar.

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