akhi&saltfish Digital Network

Welcome to the first episode of Before Our Friends Die of 2024! This is a special one for us as it tackles the awkward, uncomfortable and challenging topic of grief but our hope is that by the end of the episode you’re a little less awkward, more familiar and aware of how to navigate grief if and when you or someone you love encounters it.

2023 was a crazy year in Boxing and my wish for 2024 is to make it bigger and better. That's why, I want to see:

This week we are joined by Alex Le Guével, Head of Community Development at Matchroom Boxing. He talks to us about his work with Northamptonshire Sport, England Boxing, looking after 200 boxing clubs across the country and where he is now, Matchroom Boxing, one of the biggest Boxing promoters globally. But this wasnt by chance, Alex pitched the concept for his role to CEO of Matchroom Boxing, Frank Smith. We talk all about that process too.

This week we're back and getting to know the woman of many talents and titles, Catherine Joy White. Last week we hosted a JADE Conversation with her that covered:

➡️ How women of colour can contend with White Power

🥇The weight of being “the first”

🧘🏽‍♂️ The importance of knowing how and when to rest

🧵 Her book: This Thread of Gold, A Celebration of Black Womanhood📕

AND MUCH MORE! Listen Here: https://youtu.be/Ak0KKUMfbu8

As ever, we had to get to know Cat a little more so enjoy this BONUS EPISODE where touch on the magical connections she made at Oxford, her dream to live in New York and the importance of sleep to be your best self.

Who has the most potential that you know?

Who is the most influential person you know?

You are at your best when you are ______?

One thing you never regret doing?

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

What advice would you now give to you of 10 years ago?

Connect with Cat on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherinejoywhite/

Engage, comment, like, share and let us know your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you. We can be found on Instagram @beforeourfriendsdie and Twitter @akhiandsaltfish and don’t forget to get in touch, let us know how you’re finding it and ask questions at: [email protected].

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Before Our Friends Die is a podcast on the akhi&saltfish Digital Network. The concept is: "Before Our Friends Die, we want them to know about..." and you, the audience, are our friends.

Sometimes it's about having the conversations that often get overlooked yet feel urgent. Equally, it can be about speaking to someone who is where we want to be and asking them how they did it.

The Network also features:

- SOFA SENSEI'S, where we talk about and to those in, the fight world!

- Cool. Fine. Done. Wicked. A podcast about music we’re passionate about.

If any of those catch your interest, subscribe and stay tuned, we’ve got more coming your way!

This week we're back and getting to know Osaro Otobo. Last week we caught up with her to get an incredible insight into her career as an EDI expert and Education Consultant. We delved into the state of higher education, how it can improve it's work in EDI and why it's important to have good people around you to push you to be brave. Listen Now: https://youtu.be/apQ9T2QNeWM

Christian Davis is a PhD researcher at the University of Leicester studying how race, gender, social class, and masculinity intersect to affect inclusion/exclusion in boxing gyms, and how local sports clubs and the local community influence the construction of urban identities. Fascinating work which we discuss on part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T1f0XX7roY

This week we are joined by PhD researcher, Christian Davis who talks to us about his work which gives an account of the social structures within a Leicester gym serving ethnic minority communities. It aims to understand how race, gender, social class, and masculinity intersect to affect inclusion/exclusion in this space, and how local sports clubs and the local community influence the construction of urban identities.

Continuing our work in Black History Month, we are joined by Osaro Otobo - a consultant in Education and EDI who has led on pioneering work such as Living Black at University, uncovering the experiences of Black students in university accommodation and has shaped a new era of inclusive, forward thinking SU's up and down the country!