In this special episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo sits down with Blair Imani, historian, educator, and author of Read This to Get Smarter. Known for her viral Smarter in Seconds series, Blair breaks down complex topics in an accessible and engaging way. In this conversation, Blair shares her journey as an advocate, the role of education in driving change, and the importance of challenging misinformation. She also discusses her experiences in activism, the impact of storytelling on social justice, and how we can all contribute to making the world more inclusive.

Key Takeaways

Education is a powerful tool for dismantling bias and promoting social justice.

• Smarter in Seconds demonstrates how breaking down complex topics can make learning accessible to all.

• Understanding history and systemic injustices is essential to creating meaningful change.

Allyship requires more than just words—it demands action and accountability.

• True allyship involves continuous learning, amplifying marginalized voices, and taking action to support communities.

• Challenging misinformation and recognizing privilege are crucial steps toward fostering an inclusive society.

Highlights:

• Blair’s Journey to Activism –From being arrested during a protest to becoming a globally recognized educator, Blair shares the pivotal moments that shaped her career.

• Making Complex Topics Accessible – Blair explains the philosophy behindSmarter in Seconds and why bite-sized education is essential in today’s digital world.

• Challenging Myths and Misinformation –Blair discusses how she debunks historical and cultural misconceptions, such as the real origins of Thanksgiving.

• The Power of Identity and Intersectionality –Blair reflects on how race, gender, and faith have shaped her advocacy and storytelling.

• What It Means to be an Ally –Blair shares practical ways to support marginalized communities beyond performative allyship.

• Education as a Tool for Change –Blair highlights how knowledge can be a powerful driver for equity and justice in both social and political spaces.

Guest Bio

Blair Imani is a historian, educator, and social justice advocate known for making education accessible through her viral Smarter in Seconds series. She is the author of Read This to Get Smarter, Modern HER story, and Making Our Way Home, books that explore history, identity, and activism. A sought-after speaker, Blair has collaborated with institutions like Sephora, Meta, and Adobe and has interviewed icons like Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem. Through her work, Blair continues to inspire critical thinking, inclusion, and positive change.

Links

• Blair’s Website: https://www.blairimani.com/

• Blair’s Book:⁠ Read This to Get Smarter

• Blair’s Socials:
  LinkedIn | Instagram |You Tube |TikTok
• Nadia Nagamootoo: LinkedIn | Instagram

• Avenir Consulting:⁠https://linktr.ee/avenirconsultingservices

In this season finale of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo is joined by bestselling children’s author Robin Stevens, best known for the internationally renowned Murder Most Unladylike series, to explore how literature can shape young minds and create lasting change. Robin shares her journey as an author, the personal experiences that influence her writing, and how her neurodivergence, identity, and lived experiences have shaped the stories she tells. They discuss the importance of representation in children’s books, the impact of subtle acts of exclusion, and how stories can help young readers navigate diversity, identity, and belonging. This episode is an inspiring look at how books can spark meaningful conversations and challenge the status quo.

Key Takeaways

Children’s books have the power to shape young minds, foster empathy, and challenge stereotypes.

Neurodivergence and lived experiences shape creative expression in profound ways.

Highlights:

Robin Stevens is an award-winning author best known for her Murder Most Unladylike series, which blends classic murder mystery with a modern approach to diversity and representation. As someone who identifies with multiple underrepresented communities, Robin skilfully weaves themes of identity, belonging, and social justice into her books. With a deep passion for making literature more inclusive, Robin’s work has had a lasting impact on young readers and the publishing industry.

Links

In this episode of Why Care?, host, Nadia Nagamootoo, has an inspiring conversation with the Permalloo Sisters - Shelina Permalloo, MasterChef winner and celebrated chef, and Pamela Permalloo Bass, a diversity, equity, and inclusion expert with extensive experience in the NHS. Together, they share stories of their Mauritian heritage, navigating identity as British Mauritian women, and breaking barriers in their respective industries. From exploring the richness of Mauritian cuisine to advocating for inclusion in the workplace, this episode is a heartfelt exploration of family, culture, and leadership.

Key Takeaways

Cultural heritage can be a source of strength and connection in navigating personal and professional challenges.

• Shelina and Pamela’s stories showcase how embracing heritage can drive creativity, resilience and a sense of purpose.

• Food and hospitality serve as powerful tools for preserving culture and fostering community.

Breaking barriers requires persistence, leadership and a commitment to inclusion.

• Pamela emphasises the need for inclusive leadership to address systemic inequities and create meaningful change in organisations.

• The Permalloo sisters highlight the importance of pushing boundaries and creating opportunities for others, paving the way for future generations.

Highlights:

• Growing Up as a Mauritian in the UK: Shelina and Pamela discuss their upbringing, family dynamics, and the influence of their Mauritian heritage on their identities.

• Breaking Cultural Stereotypes: Pamela reflects on challenging traditional gender roles and cultural expectations, while Shelina shares her journey to embracing her heritage through food.

• Advocating for Inclusion: Pamela highlights the importance of addressing systemic inequities in the NHS and fostering cultural awareness in leadership.

• The Power of Food and Hospitality: Shelina describes how Mauritian cuisine connects people and celebrates diversity, becoming her way of preserving and sharing her roots.

• Resilience and Leadership: The Permalloo sisters explore the importance of resilience, challenging the status quo, and leading with purpose in their fields.

• The Reality of Success: Shelina shares the duality of her success, from celebrating Mauritian culture through food to facing criticism and navigating her unique position as a visible figure.

Guest Bio

Shelina Permalloo is an award-winning chef, author, and winner of MasterChef 2012. Known for her passion for Mauritian cuisine, Shelina uses food as a way to celebrate her heritage and connect people. She has published two cookbooks and runs culinary workshops whilst championing diversity in the food industry.

Pamela Permalloo Bass is a diversity, equity, and inclusion expert with over 30 years of experience in the public sector, including extensive work in the NHS. A dedicated advocate for cultural awareness and equity in leadership, Pamela works to create lasting, systemic change in organisations.

Links

• Shelina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelinacooks/?hl=en

• Shelina’s First Book - “Sunshine on a Plate”

• Shelina’s Second Book -  “The Sunshine Diet”

• NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard 2023: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/nhs-workforce-race-equality-standard-2023-data-analysis-report-for-nhs-trusts/

• Roger Kline (August 2015): Beyond the Snowy White Peaks of the NHS Report

• Roger Kline & Joy Warmington (January 2024): Too Hot to Handle Report

• Pamela’s Website: https://www.pamelapermalloobass.com/

• Pamela’s LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/pamela-permalloo-bass-50749534

• Nadia Nagamootoo: LinkedIn | Instagram

• Avenir Consulting: https://linktr.ee/avenirconsultingservices

In this episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo speaks with Michael Gunning, an elite swimmer and trailblazer for diversity and inclusion in sport. Michael shares his incredible journey from becoming one of the few Black swimmers to compete internationally, to using his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ representation and equality. He opens up about navigating labels, breaking barriers, and the importance of representation in sports and beyond. Michael also discusses his recent projects, including the Swim United campaign, his work with Pride House, and his new, groundbreaking TV series, Beneath the Surface. This conversation clearly demonstrates his resilience, purpose, and the power of sport to drive societal change.

Michael’s story highlights the importance of representation, resilience, and breaking barriers in sports.

Advocating for inclusion requires persistence, education, and collective action.

Highlights:

In this episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo sits down with Claire Collins, a coach and Henley Business School Professor of Leadership, to discuss the impact of toxic work environments. Claire shares her journey from a biomedical career to becoming a law firm chief executive and, following a highly successful academic career, finding her purpose in coaching professionals who are dealing with workplace bullying. This conversation delves into identifying toxic behaviours, understanding the effects of gaslighting, and building resilience. Claire provides invaluable insights into navigating such environments, regaining confidence, and fostering better organisational cultures for all.

Key Takeaways

Claire’s journey emphasises the importance of resilience and seeking support when faced with workplace bullying.

Organisations play a vital role in preventing toxicity and supporting employees in challenging situations.

Highlights:

Guest Bio

Claire Collins is a Professor of Leadership at Henley Business School, University of Reading, and a coach specialising in supporting professionals facing toxic work environments. With a diverse background spanning biomedical science, law firm leadership, and academia, Claire brings a wealth of experience and insight to her coaching practice. She is deeply committed to helping individuals regain their confidence, navigate workplace bullying, and build resilience. Claire’s current work focuses on empowering those in toxic environments and advocating for supportive organisational cultures.

Links

In this episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo speaks with Tarek Kamil, a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Cerkl. Tarek shares his fascinating journey, from leaving a stable career in software engineering to launching multiple tech ventures aimed at making the world a better place. They dive deep into how AI is transforming workplace communication, the importance of personalised experiences for employees, and the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in tech. Tarek also emphasises the value of taking risks, minimising regret, and embracing discomfort to drive personal and professional growth.

Highlights:

Key Takeaways

Tarek’s journey emphasises the importance of using technology to solve meaningful problems and create value.

Embracing discomfort and minimising regret are key themes in Tarek’s entrepreneurial philosophy.

Guest BioTarek Kamil is the CEO and Founder of Cerkl, where he leads a team dedicated to transforming how organisations communicate through AI and big data. With over a decade of experience, Tarek has built platforms that leverage machine learning and behavioural analytics to personalise content delivery, ensuring that the right message reaches the right audience at the right time. His mission is to use AI to revolutionise modern communication, driving engagement, saving resources, and enhancing efficiency for organisations globally.

Links

In this episode of Why Care? host Nadia Nagamootoo speaks with Sarah Mulindwa, who has uniquely combined her background in nursing with her passion for fashion, to become an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Sarah shares her journey from the healthcare sector to the fashion industry, highlighting the challenges and rewards of such a significant career transition. She also discusses her work in sexual health education and the importance of representation and diversity in both fashion and healthcare. This episode is a must-listen for leaders wanting to find out what more they can do to make sexual health more widely spoken about, and how to make menopause part of normal conversation.

Highlights

Key Takeaways

Sarah’s journey highlights the power of reinvention and the impact of bringing diverse perspectives to different industries.

Promoting diversity and sexual health requires both awareness and action, driven by compassionate leadership.

Sarah’s journey highlights the importance of addressing both career transitions and health challenges like menopause in the workplace.

Guest Bio

Sarah Mulindwa is a former nurse turned fashion industry professional and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. With a background in healthcare, Sarah brings a unique perspective to her work in fashion, focusing on breaking down barriers and promoting representation. She is also deeply involved in sexual health education, striving to make information and resources more accessible to all. Sarah's journey is a testament to the power of reinvention and the importance of compassion in leadership.

In this episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo welcomes Rosie Nixon, former Editor-in-Chief of HELLO! Magazine and author of three novels - The Stylist, Amber Green Takes Manhattan and Just Between Friends - plus the Be Kind book, all about showing different types of kindness. 

Rosie shares her journey from the glamorous world of magazines to facing burnout and ultimately finding a new path focused on empowering midlife women. They discuss her innovative Reinvention Retreats, the importance of taking a pause, and how to redefine success in midlife. Rosie also opens up about the pressures of maintaining a public persona and the pivotal moment that led her to prioritise her wellbeing and personal fulfilment.

Highlights:

Key Takeaways

Rosie Nixon’s journey emphasises the importance of recognizing and addressing burnout, and the power of reinvention in midlife.

Navigating career pivots and promoting wellbeing requires intentional action and supportive environments.

Guest Bio

Links

Highlights:

Key Takeaways

Denise Hamilton’s DEI strategies focus on practical implementation and evolving language and practices:

Navigating DEI challenges requires a compassionate and proactive approach:

Guest Bio

Links

In this episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo welcomes Dr. Sandra Upton, an esteemed DEI expert and author of Make It Last. They dive deep into Sandra's journey, from academia to consulting, and explore her eight-step DEI Propel framework designed to create sustainable and impactful DEI strategies within organisations. Sandra shares her insights on overcoming resistance, building effective DEI governance, and ensuring long-term success through practical application and continuous learning.

Highlights:

Key Takeaways

Sandra Upton’s DEI strategies emphasise practical implementation and proactive leadership to achieve lasting impact within organisations. Her approach integrates well-researched principles with real-world application to ensure DEI efforts are both effective and sustainable.

Dr. Sandra Upton is a leading expert in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with over 25 years of experience. She has a robust academic background and has served as a faculty member and Dean at a private college in the United States. Dr. Upton is the author of Make It Last and the creator of the DEI Propel framework, which helps organisations develop and sustain effective DEI strategies. She is also the founder of Upton Consulting Group, where she continues to impact numerous organisations through her DEI consulting and training services.