After working as an investment banker, lawyer and hedge fund sales trader, in early 2012 my portfolio career started developing organically, firstly with a charity board role as UK Global Poverty Ambassador. Today, it consists of various roles across finance, law, fashion, technology and DE&I (diversity, equity and inclusion). In 2016 I founded the Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Foundation (TMBDLF), and I also work as board advisor, managing director consultant, an international public speaker, executive producer and success coach on which I have written a book available to pre-order in 2021.

After more than 20 years of chairing black networking groups and working for top global banks, race was still the elephant in the room. I founded TMBDLF to educate, empower and inspire future leaders, while helping to eliminate the diversity, equality and inclusion gaps in and out of the workplace. We deliver innovative leadership programmes for young people of all ethnicities and backgrounds. This year we awarded tailored scholarships to over 200 people. We hosted our fifth annual lecture virtually during National Inclusion Week and Black History Month, in which I speak about the goals of the Black Lives Matter movement, everyday inclusion in and out of the workplace and how TMBDLF aims to inspire individuals.

Each TMBDLF scholarship awardee receives a one-to-one mentoring session with myself. One of the key lessons I teach is self-confidence and using your superpower which is your voice – highlighting the importance of believing in yourself and daring to dream big. “Dare to dream big and succeed” was the title of a recent talk I held at The Best You Expo in LA.

Allyship is a key DE&I tool – we all matter in this movement. Speak up for those who are being disadvantaged. Donate money or time as a volunteer. Hire, promote and retain diverse candidates. We all have the power to learn, grow, and find ways to address injustices and unfairness while helping to build positive change for the future.