The Student Sessions

Kenny Imafidon is one of the most inspiring leaders of his generation. In this episode he talks about his tough upbringing in Peckham, the individuals who have influenced his life, and how being arrested and imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, drove him to use his experiences to positively impact the lives of others. 

In this episode, Tonia is joined by Mamadou Sow and Obed Adomako, two of the published authors who feature in ‘You Are A LIMITED EDITION’.  Both authors talk about why they decided to share their stories now and why they used a public platform to do so. 

You are a limited edition is an inspiring collection of student lived experiences.  Featuring 25 authors, stories cover a variety of themes including, LGBTQ, Disability and mental health, racism, imposter syndrome, toxic masculinity, and more! All profits from sales of the book go to supporting young people who face barriers to employment. Buy your copy from Waterstones, WHSmith and Amazon worldwide!

Get your copy here: https://www.tgconsultingltd.co.uk/limitededition

In this episode, Tonia is joined by Reagan Spinks and Phillip Gwynn, two of the published authors who feature in ‘You Are A LIMITED EDITION’.  Reagan and Phillip talk about why they decided to share their stories now and why they used a public platform to do so.  

You are a limited edition is an inspiring collection of student lived experiences.  Featuring 25 authors, stories cover a variety of themes including, LGBTQ, Disability and mental health, racism, imposter syndrome, toxic masculinity, and more! 

All profits from sales of the book go to supporting young people who face barriers to employment. Buy your copy from Waterstones, WHSmith and Amazon worldwide!

 https://www.tgconsultingltd.co.uk/limitededition

Tonia is joined by Nikolina Glamoclija, Head of Digital and Strategy Propositions at LV, who talks about her career highs and the challenges she has overcome. 

Nikolina also discusses how as a female in a leadership position, she has been able to develop her skills to become a role model within the LV business and also for potential applicants to the LV early career programmes.

Tonia is joined by Dr Chloe Palmer a specialist research engineer, working at Rolls-Royce.  In this episode, Chloe talks about her past struggles with mental health and depression and how as a transgender woman, she has navigated through her career and how the support provided by Rolls-Royce has enabled her to really fly in her career. 

 ** This episode comes with a trigger warning**

Today Tonia is talking to the inspirational Shafeen Mahmood.

In this episode Shafeen talks to Tonia about his experiences as an international student in the UK.  Shafeen shares how relocating led to feelings of isolation and mental health challenges, and the importance of showing vulnerabilities and seeking out the support available.   

Today Tonia is talking to the inspirational Jason Piper.

Jason is an Associate Professor in Dance and was formerly Head of Dance. He is currently an interim Head of the School of Arts, Culture and Communication at a London University.  
He is a motion capture artist and creatures expert for the Harry Potter franchise and plays Bane in Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix.  

He is halfway through his training to become a business psychologist and retains a keen interest in developing people at all levels and finding new solutions to old problems – including his aching knees.  

In this episode, Jason talks to Tonia about his experience in the creative industries, and his transition to the world of academia.

Today Tonia is talking to the inspirational Ryan Makuku.

Ryan currently works as a Treasury Analyst in the Banking industry, where he has spent the past 2 years on a graduate scheme.  He is a passionate speaker on social mobility and youth employment.  In this episode, Ryan tells Tonia about his upbringing and the impact this had on him and he also shares how despite turning things around for himself, he still suffers with imposter syndrome, but he doesn’t let this stop him in achieving his goals.

Today Tonia is talking to Dr Leroy Logan MBE

 Described by The Voice newspaper as ‘one of the Black officers who helped change the Met’, Leroy is one of the founder members of the Black Police Association. 

 In 1982, He was preparing for a career in science and medicine when he felt a strong call to join the police. he knew he would face opposition from family and friends yet the call was too strong to ignore, reinforced by a friend who told him, ‘we need an organisation that looks like London, we need Black officers.  

 Leroy was determined to improve the relationship between the Met Police and the London Black community, to break down barriers and stereotypes, and to do his best to change the institution from the inside. 

 After Damilola Taylor’s murder in 2000 Leroy was part of a small team of Black officers who used ‘affinity policing’ to break the wall of silence in house to house enquiries, providing critical information for the investigation. 

 Bridging the gap with young Black people through initiatives such as the Edmonton Volunteer Cadet Corps, the Paddington Community Project, the Youth Violence Commission, REALLITY and Voyage Youth, he helped to launch the Black Police Association in 1994 and worked with MPs and police to highlight and address the lack of diversity in the Met. 

 Along the way, he has made powerful allies and enemies, and rubbed shoulders with Princess Diana, Jack Straw, Sadiq Khan, Jesse Jackson and Cressida Dick among others.

In this episode Tonia is joined by Zeph Chukwudum from Microsoft.  Zeph talks about growing up in south London, experiencing racism at university, the importance of role models, and how it is important for us all to feel that we can be our own authentic selves.  Zeph also talks about his career at Microsoft and some of the important work the organisation is continuing to develop to ensure a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees.