“Of London’s university students, 44% are from an ethnic minority background and 17% are black. We help excellent organisations that are truly committed to reflecting this diversity attract and retain exceptional people from diverse backgrounds.”

Rare Recruitment is a stellar recruitment agency. Founded by Oxford graduate Raphael Mokades (pictured left) and with an advisory boarded chaired by Sir David Bell, Chairman of the Financial Times, the company has recruited top quality graduates from the BME community for many leading companies.

Not only has the agency provided positions for graduates but has also been instrumental in landing internships and placements. It is also noted that Rare has a high standard of who can be put forward for the positions they are asked to place, which definitely defines a rule of excellence for the company.

Kudos to the team for continuing to both inspire and provide tangible possibilities for many of our most talented young graduates around the country.

 
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.

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

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

Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live! ~ Bob Marley

Tags: BobMarley, Wisdom, Quotes

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life” - Muhammad Ali

Good to see a good friend and damn smart business man picking up the Social Enterprise and People’s Choice awards held by the Daily Mail.<p>Nathaniel Peat runs The Safety Box a personal safety organisation which he set up after the death of Kiyan Prince. The one hour workshops he runs mainly at schools focuses on helping children and young adults how to manage conflict, raise levels of confidence and self esteem.<p> In the current negative limelight it is positive to see young black males leading the way forward for change.

We are looking for some young people who would be willing to engage in some conversations and debates on issues that affect them. Education, Business, Politics, Health, Media, Crime and a host of other topics that they will be able to air their voice on with some elder statesmen in the Afro Caribbean Community.

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

UK Black is a podcast that can be picked up on iTunes.
The podcast is  has highlights from African and Caribbean programmes on BBC Local Radio stations in England.

Around England there are numerous local stations which feature African  and Caribbean content including

* BBC Radio WM,  BBC Radio Leicester,  BBC Radio Berkshire,  BBC Radio Derby,  BBC Radio Gloucestershire,  BBC Radio Nottingham,  BBC Radio Suffolk, BBC Radio Merseyside,  BBC London,  BBC Three Counties Radio,  BBC Radio Sheffield,  BBC Radio Northampton,  BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Radio Manchester.

UK black consolidates these stations with extracts from some of the programmes and options to listen again on the various programme content available. This is a great tool of empowerment for youth in the UK to be aware of what is going on in the African and Caribbean community.

Shaun Bailey is a potential conservative candidate for the London Borough of Hammersmith. The founder of MyGeneration and a research fellow at the Centre for Policy Studies, he represents a breath of fresh air for positive black males in politics. Watch this space for a more detailed write up on him soon.

“A race of people is like an individual man; until it uses its own talent, takes pride in its own history, expresses its own culture, affirms its own selfhood, it can never fulfill itself.”

- El Hajj Malik Shabazz