The Inclusion Exchange Podcast: Breaking the Cycle, Empowering Progress for Minoritised Talent

As we step into Spring 2025, The Inclusion Exchange is back with another impactful and thought-provoking episode aimed at sparking real change within workplaces and beyond.

This video podcast series, a part of Bakare Barley’s resource offerings, brings together experts on equity, diversity, and inclusion to exchange ideas, confront challenges, and inspire transformative action.

In our next episode, titled "Breaking the Cycle: Empowering Progress for Minoritised Talent," we will explore the critical issues faced by minoritised members of the workforce, especially in relation to career progression and performance. This conversation will address how organisations can better understand and dismantle barriers that hinder the success of individuals from marginalised communities.

Why Empowering Minoritised Talent Matters

The importance of building an inclusive workplace cannot be overstated. Despite the strides that have been made in diversity and inclusion, many organisations still fall short when it comes to recognising and addressing the specific barriers faced by minoritised employees. A workplace free from systemic discrimination benefits not only the individuals but the organisation as a whole, through increased innovation, better employee engagement, morale and overall performance.

What to Expect

In this session, we are privileged to welcome Lanre Sulola, Leadership Coach & CEO of Inner Ambitions, who will share his expertise and personal insights. Lanre has been instrumental in empowering organisations worldwide to rethink their leadership strategies and talent development programmes, focusing on elevating underrepresented groups.

Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ll be diving into during this episode:

Lanre Sulola’s Personal Story and Impact: Lanre will take us through his own journey, sharing his personal experiences and how they’ve shaped his work in leadership coaching and talent development. His story offers a powerful example of how we can challenge barriers and create transformative change within organisations.

Ditching the Deficit Narrative: The episode will explore why organisations should abandon the "deficit narrative" that often frames minoritised individuals as lacking or needing to "fit in" to the mainstream. Lanre will discuss how this perspective not only limits opportunities for progression but also perpetuates inequity. We will explore the importance of recognising and addressing organisational barriers and systemic inequalities, rather than trying to change individuals to fit outdated norms.

Breaking Barriers to Career Progression: What does it take for organisations to truly remove the barriers that prevent minoritised talent from advancing? We will provide actionable steps that organisations can implement to ensure equitable opportunities for all employees, regardless of their race, gender, disability, or any intersection of these identities.

Practical Tips for Effective Talent Management: Lanre will share tried-and-tested strategies for improving diversity and inclusivity in talent management. Leaders and managers will gain insights into how to advocate for better, more inclusive talent development practices, creating an environment where every individual’s potential can be fully realised.

Actionable Takeaways for Change: This episode isn’t just about conversation—it’s about action. Whether you're a leader, manager, HR professional, or advocate, you’ll leave with practical tools and tips to implement in your own workplace. From mentoring and sponsorship to policy changes and day-to-day leadership practices, you'll gain valuable insights to drive real, sustainable change.

Join the Conversation

The Inclusion Exchange is more than just a space for listening—it’s a call to action. This episode will offer tangible, actionable takeaways that you can immediately apply in your work and within your organisation’s culture. As we move through 2025, we are committed to building more inclusive, equitable workplaces where talent from all backgrounds can thrive.

Stay tuned for the release date and get ready to be inspired by fresh perspectives and actionable insights to help create lasting change.