BHM 2025: Power in our Purpose – Past, Present & Future

Inclusive Companies are proud to present a special online session in honour of Black History Month 2025, embracing this year’s national theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride” 

Date/Time: 14th October |  14.00 – 15.30

This thought-provoking session will celebrate Black history while exploring its influence across the past, present, and future. Together, we will reflect on the progress that has been made, the challenges that remain, and the role each of us can play in driving meaningful change. 

What to expect: 

Keynote Address – Delivered by renowned historian, author, and teacher Josh Preye Garry, who will uncover the forgotten stories of influential Black figures throughout history and highlight their lasting legacies. 

Panel Discussion – Chaired by Inclusive Companies Founder & CEO, Paul Sesay, featuring voices who have championed inclusion and driven positive change within corporate and community spaces, including Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE, Caroline Frankum (Global CEO, Kantar Profiles) and Dawn Carter-McDonald (CEO, Hackney Council). Our panel will reflect on historical efforts to reclaim narratives, while exploring how embracing authentic stories and perspectives has empowered businesses and created more innovative, inclusive workplaces. 

This year’s theme emphasises two powerful values: 

• Power – the influence, leadership, and capacity to inspire change. 

• Pride – the celebration of cultural identity, heritage, and Black excellence. 

Join us as we explore these themes, celebrate achievements, and provide a safe, empowering space to share experiences, amplify voices, and stand firm in power and pride. 

Facilitators:  

Paul Sesay 

Paul Sesay is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the National Diversity Awards, Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers, Inclusive Awards and Inclusive Companies since 2006. Paul’s business acumen has mainly been with a social focus. 

 With over fifteen years worth of experience within the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion sector, Paul has worked with some of the largest organisations in the world on their diversity and inclusion profiles. 

He has also worked within local communities to help people from various backgrounds to achieve and empower disadvantaged groups throughout the UK. Paul’s initiatives have helped thousands of organisations and individuals get recognised for their hard work and dedication to diversity. 

Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE DL

A dynamic leader with a wealth of experience in the communications industry, Dr. Thompson is a highly respected change-maker, advocate for small businesses, and champion of diversity and inclusion in the UK. Drawing on her personal experience and the experiences of other women, she published the Amazon bestseller, “7 Traits of Highly Successful Women on Boards,” which promotes greater gender and race diversity in company boardrooms, and also produced her Senior Women Leaders Programme.

This year, she celebrates the 25th anniversary of the WinTrade Global Women In Business Network Summit and Awards, which she founded. Dr. Thompson leads a powerful network that supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for greater gender and race equality and equity.

Having been the only woman on the board of the first 24-hour radio station, Choice FM, and having worked with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), BEIS, supporting small business ministers across several administrations and Ofcom on equality and diversity. Dr. Thompson’s most recent chairing appointments include OKRE.org, a charity researching the effects of the entertainment industry, The Black Cultural Archives, custodian of Black History in the UK.   She recently stepped down from the Parker Review after five years.

Along with her CBE, two honorary doctorates, and honorary four fellowships for her work in the EDI arena Dr Thompson was recently appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant in Greater London.

Josh Preye Garry 

Josh Preye Garry is an award-winning educator, historian, and author with a distinguished record of leadership, scholarship, and public engagement. He earned his Master’s degree from the University of Oxford and his undergraduate degree from Queen Mary University of London, establishing a foundation of academic excellence that has shaped his career in education. 

Josh currently serves as Exceptional Learners Lead and a member of the Extended Senior Leadership Team at Arcadia School, Dubai, where he is pioneering an Elite University Preparation Programme designed to support exceptional students in gaining entry to Oxbridge, Russell Group, and Ivy League universities. His prior leadership roles include Head of Department, where he successfully advanced attainment and innovation, and his national contributions include work as an Examiner and Author of major history textbooks. Notably, Josh co-authored Pearson’s first Black British History GCSE textbook, a landmark publication that has transformed representation in the national curriculum. 

Recognised with the prestigious National Diversity Award, Josh is also a sought-after public speaker, having delivered keynote talks and workshops for leading organisations including Goldman Sachs, Kantar, and Black Ballad, alongside his work with educational institutions and community forums. His career reflects a rare blend of intellectual rigour, leadership, and advocacy, with a consistent focus on excellence, diversity, and access to opportunity. 

Through his scholarship, authorship, and leadership, Josh Preye Garry continues to shape education, inspire learners, and influence the conversation on representation and equity across the UK, the UAE, and beyond. 

Caroline Frankum

Caroline Frankum is a multi-award-winning global CEO, renowned for her transformative leadership in the Media, Market Research, and Data Solutions sectors.

With a career spanning over thirty years, Caroline has spent the past decade as CEO of Kantar Profiles, where she has spearheaded bold, significant private equity-backed transformations. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, AI, and a strong sense of purpose, she has driven unprecedented financial and cultural growth, positioning Kantar at the forefront of innovation in data quality.

Caroline is a firm believer that inclusion and diversity are imperatives for business growth. Her relentless focus and contributions to these areas, both within Kantar and the wider Market Research industry, have earned her numerous accolades, including:

· CEO of The Year (Inclusive Companies, 2022)

· Corporate LGBTQ+ Ally of The Year (DIVA Awards 2022, Rainbow Honours Awards 2023)

· A Top 100 Global Executive Champion of Women in Business (Involve and YouTube, 2018-2025)

· An Insights 250 / ESOMAR Legend (2023) and a Market Research Hero (2025) for long-standing, meaningful contributions, and exceptional service to the Market Research industry

Dawn Carter-McDonald

Dawn Carter-McDonald was appointed Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service at Hackney Council in May 2024. 

With a local government career spanning more than 20 years, Dawn first started work at Hackney Council, and in the borough where she was born, after qualifying as a Solicitor. Between 2019 and 2023 Dawn transformed the Council’s legal services, significantly improved the Council’s governance services, and played a key role in the development and implementation of service delivery reforms.

Dawn has always had a connection and passion for the Borough and its residents; she chose to give her commitment to the Public Sector as she wanted her legal expertise to be used for the benefit of local residents, and those most in need. She now leads the entire workforce, as Head of Paid Service, and her commitment to equity, diversity, belonging and transformation to ensure fair outcomes for all residents, continues to be a driver