The 10 Best Keynote Speakers to Hire for Race Equality Week 2025

Studies suggest, 4 in 5 individuals don’t report racism due to concerns it won’t be taken seriously or might harm their work life. These statistics pose a serious concern about whether racially diverse employees feel safe at work to raise their voice against racial discrimination.

Source: TUC

Race Equality Week is a UK-wide annual event that unites organisations and individuals to address workplace barriers to racial equality and promote more inclusive practices.

When is Race Equality Week?

Every year, the first week of February marks Race Equality Week. In 2025, Race Equality Week will be celebrated from 3rd February to 9th February.

Why Should Businesses Celebrate Race Equality Week?

Here are 3 key reasons to celebrate race equality week at work:

• Implement initiatives and collaborate for a more inclusive workplace environment
• Inspire collective action and foster continuous improvement in race equality efforts
• Understand employees’ challenges and promote race-related discussions for inclusivity

Source: Race Equality Week

You can hire a leading racial equality keynote speaker to address your employees. The following speakers have been regarded as the best speakers for race equality week based on official customer feedback from 200 events across 2022 and 2024.

Who are the Top 10 Keynote Speakers to Hire for Race Equality Week?

• Tessy Ojo
• Kenny Imafidon
• Pauline Miller
• Derek Redmond
• Asif Sadiq
• Anita Asante
• Jason Robinson
• Nicola Adams
• Michael C Bush
• Lord Simon Woolley

1. Tessy Ojo

Tessy Ojo CBE is a prominent racial equality keynote speaker, celebrated for her advocacy in diversity, equity, and inclusion. As CEO of The Diana Award, she champions youth empowerment and social change. Tessy’s articulate and insightful speeches focus on race, ethnic minority issues, and gender equality. Her powerful voice resonates in corporate events and Black History Month discussions, offering practical solutions for fostering inclusivity. Recognised with numerous awards, including The Martin Luther King Award, Tessy remains an influential figure in promoting racial justice.

Official Testimonial for Tessy Ojo:

“Thank you very much for your time to celebrate Black History Month. From the feedback and engagement on the call, the group definitely felt inspired and very engaged during your powerful talk today. We hope to continue our collaboration with you in the future and thanks again!” – Soumik, Senior Human Resources Director, ICF

2. Kenny Imafidon

Dr. Kenny Imafidon MBE is a powerful racial equality keynote speaker whose journey from wrongful imprisonment to becoming a leader in social change resonates deeply. His experiences of overcoming adversity, growing up in Peckham, and now mentoring others through initiatives like My Brother’s Keeper, reflect his dedication to social mobility and inclusion. With accolades like Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and an MBE, Kenny inspires audiences to embrace resilience, purpose, and action to create a more equitable society.

Official Testimonial for Kenny Imafidon:

“What an amazing speaker! We all really enjoyed the talk, it was truly remarkable to hear his story. Thank you!” – Amy, People Engagement Consultant, Human Resources, Orbit Group

3. Pauline Miller

Pauline Miller is a distinguished keynote speaker on racial equality, known for her expertise in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As the Head of Culture at Lloyd’s of London, she draws on her extensive experience in the financial sector, having led diversity strategies at Barclays and State Street Bank. Pauline is passionate about advocating for Black, Asian, and minority ethnic representation, and as the creator of the Dive In Festival, she has championed initiatives to drive meaningful change in corporate environments.

Official Testimonial for Pauline Miller:

“Firstly the session today went extremely well and has been very well received by RGA associates across the region. Thank you for your help in arranging for us to have Pauline. I really enjoyed hearing her story and her insights and I know that this sentiment is shared based on the feedback received so far.” – Karen, HR Manager Italy and Spain, RGA International Reinsurance Company

4. Derek Redmond

Derek Redmond, former Olympian and motivational speaker, uses his powerful story of resilience to advocate for racial equality. Known for his unforgettable finish at the 1992 Olympics despite a severe injury, Redmond inspires audiences with his message of perseverance. As a passionate supporter of Black athletes, he highlights their struggles with racism and microaggressions, encouraging allies to educate themselves and take action. Redmond’s impactful talks empower individuals to challenge inequality and foster inclusivity in sports and beyond.

Official Testimonial for Derek Redmond:

“We thought the event was brilliant. Very engaging, tech worked very smoothly and Derek’s stories really struck a chord with our staff. We had c. 200 attendees. Feedback from attendees so far has been glowing. Thank you for all your support in arranging! Looking forward to Asif’s event next week!” – Ministry of Defence

5. Asif Sadiq

Asif Sadiq is a renowned racial diversity keynote speaker with a proven track record of transforming workplaces. Having worked with major brands like Adidas and The Telegraph, Asif brings deep expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion. A multi-award winner and MBE recipient, he educates audiences on the benefits of inclusive environments. With leadership roles at WarnerMedia and his successful diversity strategies across industries, Asif is a powerful speaker on racial equality, inspiring tangible change in professional settings.

Official Testimonial for Asif Sadiq:

“It was a really good talk. Very insightful and thought-provoking. It’s given us lots to think about for our D and I plan that we are going to put forward. We received lots of positive feedback from colleagues after the talk.” – Sage House

6. Anita Asante

Anita Asante, a former England footballer, is a powerful keynote speaker on racial equality. Having faced racist discrimination throughout her 15-year career at the elite level, she uses her platform to challenge prejudice and advocate for diversity. Anita promotes the “Show Racism the Red Card” campaign and shares her personal experiences to inspire others. Her speeches highlight the importance of standing against racial abuse in sports and beyond, empowering individuals to embrace inclusivity in all industries.

Official Testimonial for Anita Asante:

“Anita spoke at MAD//Fest 2019 and was inspirational, candid and engaging. Her background in professional sport added hugely to a discussion at a marketing event on daring to be different and breaking boundaries. The feedback on this session was amazing and I couldn’t recommend Anita enough!” – Dan Brain, Co-founder, MAD//Fest London

7. Jason Robinson

Jason Robinson is a highly sought-after keynote speaker on diversity, inclusion, and racial equality. Drawing from his groundbreaking career as the first Black British man to captain England’s rugby team, Jason shares powerful stories of overcoming adversity, racism, and personal challenges. His inspiring journey from a challenging upbringing to global sporting success highlights resilience, mental health, and social mobility. Today, he motivates diverse audiences, promoting equality and inclusion through his work as Director of JR Sports Stars.

Official Testimonial for Jason Robinson:

“Thanks to Jason for his keynote speech yesterday! He was amazing, such an inspirational speaker, who took the whole audience on a journey. He really set the tone and intention for our event and drove home the message about how we can all support young people to be their best!” – Rachel, Strategic Lead, South London Partnership Careers Hub

8. Nicola Adams

Nicola Adams, a pioneering Black British boxer and Olympic champion, inspires as a keynote speaker on racial diversity and equality. Despite facing racial and homophobic abuse, she has excelled in a male-dominated sport, becoming a role model for resilience and perseverance. Nicola uses her platform to challenge discrimination and promote inclusivity, sharing her experiences to inspire progressive change. Her groundbreaking achievements in boxing and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community make her a powerful voice for equality and empowerment.

Official Testimonial for Nicola Adams:

“Fantastic! Nicola was open, honest and inspiring. It went amazingly well and we can’t wait to have her back.” – Macquarie Group Services

9. Michael C Bush

Michael C. Bush is a renowned keynote speaker on racial equality, diversity, and inclusion. As CEO of Great Place to Work, he has led efforts to create equitable workplaces worldwide, reaching over 10 million employees in 60 countries. With 40 years of experience as a business leader and entrepreneur, Michael advocates for fairness and positive organisational culture. His insights, drawn from his leadership and success, make him an engaging speaker on fostering inclusive, thriving environments for all employees.

Official Speaking Topics for Michael C. Bush:

• Fair & Equitable Treatment
• Leading & Growing Organisations
• A Great Place to Work

10. Lord Simon Woolley

Lord Simon Woolley is a prominent political activist and founder of Operation Black Vote, dedicated to addressing racial inequality and the democratic deficit faced by Black and ethnic minority communities. As the first Black Principal of Homerton College, Cambridge, and a Crossbencher in the House of Lords, he is a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equal representation. As a keynote speaker, Lord Woolley draws on his rich experience to inspire action in areas such as health, education, and employment.

Official Testimonial for Lord Simeon Woolley:

“Overall, we believe the event was a great success. We received excellent feedback from individuals at different seniority levels and across our firm. This might not have been mentioned prior to the event, but we had our London, Paris, and US offices on the call, with a recording provided to our colleagues in Singapore and Hong Kong. Our colleagues globally were engaged during the conversation and had interesting follow-up questions. Learning about your experience throughout your career and into the House of Lords was truly fascinating.” – Benedict, Principal, Partners Capital LLP

Hire a Top Racial Equality Keynote Speaker Today!

Racial equality can be achieved through conscious effort from every individual and organisation. Inspire your audience to prioritise racial equality in the workplace by educating them about its importance. Hiring a renowned racial equality, Black History Month or South Asian Heritage Month speaker is a great way to do so.

Simply complete our online contact form or call us on 0203 9317 392 to get in touch with a dedicated booking agent.

This list of best keynote speakers for Race Equality Week 2025 is based on official customer feedback received from over 200 events between 2022 and 2024.