North West-based organisation, She Leads for Legacy, is hosting a one of a kind event to help advance the leadership opportunities for black women in business.
Headed up by mother and daughter duo, Sharon and Afiya Amesu, the initiative has already created a solid network of change-makers. Now, the founders are inviting black women, businesses, and allies to join them at their ‘Empowered to Lead’ conference, which is set to accelerate their ambitions for positive change.
Given the inequality black females face when reaching prominent leadership and board level roles, in comparison to their white counterparts, She Leads for Legacy aims to explore how individuals and organisations can better advance the equalities agenda and create more diverse and inclusive workplaces. Already, a range of high profile businesses have committed to sponsoring the conference, including EY, Lloyds Bank, Agent, Pro Manchester, and Northern Rail.
Taking place at Bruntwood’s impressive Bloc space in Manchester, the conference will see She Leads for Legacy use its platform to connect black females and allies in the business world for a day of masterclasses, inspirational guest speaker talks, networking and panel sessions, for the first time in-person.
The impressive line-up of guest speakers includes, Selina Flavius, Founder of Black Girl Finance, Prof. Dawn Edge, Professor of Mental Health and Inclusivity at University of Manchester, and Penny Haslam, award winning motivational speaker. All speakers will bring their own expertise and experiences to the event, offering insight into what women can do to use their voice and create a seat at the table, as well as what allies can do to create opportunity.
Sharon Amesu, Co-founder of She Leads for Legacy, said:
“She Leads for Legacy is a community for black female professionals and allies who are committed to the career progression and advancement of black women into senior leadership and board level positions.”
“She Leads for Legacy has three key pillars that we undertake in all of our work: connectivity, influence, and learning & development. This conference is the highlight in our calendar, providing us with the opportunity to experience all three of those elements.”
“The importance of allyship at the Empowered to Lead conference cannot be understated. Having allies present in the room, hearing the experiences of black female professionals is so important, so they can be reminded of just how powerful they are, how much influence they have, to leverage and be agents of change.”
Michelle Mullany, North West Client Executive at EY, and sponsor for the Empowered to Lead conference, said:
“I think all of us want to make a difference in the communities that we work in, and I take pride in utilising my connections to support black female professionals across the North.”
“There’s going to be an opportunity to learn, network, and come away really uplifted – I’d encourage anyone to attend.”
Selina Flavius, Founder of Black Girl Finance, and speaker at the Empowered to Lead conference, said:
“The Empowered to Lead Conference is a fantastic space for women to discuss the issues that impact them and most importantly to be inspired. My workshop will be focused on money and finance, which at this time of high inflation and whooping energy costs, in addition to the already well established and recognised financial inequalities that already exists for women, is so important to talk about.”
“I hope people will take away, firstly, why it is important to make their financial wellbeing a priority and secondly, how to do this.”
The Empowered to Lead Conference will take place on Saturday 8th October at Bruntwood’s Bloc venue. If you would like to join the community of change-makers, book your tickets for the day here.
For more information on She Leads for Legacy, please visit https://www.sheleadsforlegacy.com/.
