Profile: Rene Carayol

 
Rene Carayol is one of the leading speakers in the UK. A recognised authority on leadership. An accomplished author, TV presenter and conference facilitator.René has provided leadership support to the likes of the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, the Home Office and McKinsey and Co, and is now an accomplished Visiting Professor at Cass business school. In fact for many African and Caribbean professional speakers in the UK he is the pinnacle of what we would like to be back. And yes I have at least four other professional speakers who I could quote on that.

I had the privilege a little while back to be able to have a phone interview with Carayol to tap into the keys to his success. So here goes.

What is your name?
Rene Carayol

What is your background or lineage?
I was born in Gambia but grew up in Harlesden. My father was a diplomat. I went to school in Harlesden then on to university after which I held successful jobs in Marks Spencer, Pepsi and IPC Media before it was sold to AOL Time Warner.

What do you do for a living/What is your vocation?
I am a writer and speaker on leadership. My mission is to create more leaders.

When did you know what you wanted to be?
As a kid all I wanted to be was successful. Mum had 3 jobs. Dad had 2 so I was always driven never to have to do that. This drove me to be successful.

Who or what would you say was the biggest influence in your life?
Without a doubt the quote from Muhammad Ali ” I don’t have to be what you want me to be”

Who is your biggest hero and why?
I have two. Muhammad Ali and Nelson Mandela.

What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome in order to get where you are today?
Most definitely a lack of self belief. I had to get over those people who surrounded me who had a victim mentality.

What, if any, is your experience of racism?
Nothing  that was insurmoutable. Isms are something we can always overcome.

What would be your top tips for success for our young people growing up in today’s society?
Know what you are great for and stand for it. Have a strong look. Dont blame anyone else for your success or your failure.

If you had one wish that could be granted to positively affect the UK black community what would that one wish be?
To have more leaders affecting positive change.

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A special thank you to Rene for sharing his wisdom here.
You can find out more about him at http://www.carayol.com

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Tags: Champions, Rene Caryol, Speaker, carayol.com

Ray Lewis in the Guardian

Ray Lewis the founder and CEO of Eastside Young Leader’s academy, an organisation I think get’s the whole idea of turnaround through leadership,  get’s a great write up in the Guardian.Photo source: The Guardian

Profile: Kanya King

Kanya King MBE is the founder and owner of the MOBO Organisation. Driven with a passion to have a show highlighting music of black origin, which was woefully absent from many other award ceremonies, she established the organisation in 1996. Now a televised show reaching audiences of millions world wide she has blaized a trail for other European urban awards ceremonies, although not without controversy. When I met Kanya it was very clear that she was driven and had a driving passion to be the best at what she does. She doesn’t just talk, she takes action.Kanya’s background includes a stint at Carlton TV as a researcher and was part of the production team for the Crystal Rose Show.

The Power List

New Nation, the Ethnic Media Group newspaper, has compiled a list of the most powerful and influential blacks in the UK. The Powerlist identifies and records a number of influential blacks in the UK.

I am delighted at this project as it highlights a number of blacks in the UK who have succeeded against the odds. It may seem trivial to some but for many black youth seeing that there are attainable characters and personalities who are doing well outside of just entertainment and sport is refreshing.

Profile: Paul Gilroy

Paul Gilroy is a professor in Social Theory at the London School of Economics (LSE). He is in fact the first holder of Anthony Giddens Professorship in Social Theory.He is one of the few professors of colour in the UK and through his work has clearly shaped the dialogue and discussion, at least from an Afro Caribbean point of view, about race and culture in the United Kingdom.

Profile: Alexander Amosu

Today we launch the profiles of our leading Black British movers and shakers within business, academia and the local community.

Alexander Amosu, a young entrepreneur who turned his interest in technology and the mobile phone industry into a commercial success story, now heads a business at the forefront of mobile entertainment.

Can you Help?

OK people, whether it be by phone interview, email or face to face, I need my people to assist in helping me to meet the following UK black role models in the first quarter of 2007. And if you have any other suggestions yourselves please feel free to recommend names.

Ok so here goes:

- Douanne Alexander
- Jacqui Harper
- Jeremy Crook
- Karl George
- Adam Afriyie
- Rene Carayol
- Dr Gus John
- Prof Paul Gilroy
- Dr Stuart Hall
- Prof Cecile Wright
- Alexander Boadi
- Alexander Awosu
- Paul Boateng
- Oswald Boateng
- Wale Adeyimi
- David Lammy
- Steve McQueen (Arts)
- Benjamin Zephaniah
- Corey Williamson
- Roger Mark Andrews
- Bill Morris
- Michael Law
- Chris O Feely
- Yemi Oshinkye
- Kwame Kwei-Armah
- Lee Jasper
- Clyde Pile
- Courtenay Griffiths
- Wilfred Emmanuel Jones

You can drop me an email to david.mcqueenATgmail.com or contact me on my mobile 07947 847 407. Feel free to link to this for those who are interested.