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afro_leads

@afro_leads

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On a mission to celebrate & promote UK Black business & culture✊🏿🙅🏿‍♀️🇬🇧
🗓️ est. 2018
📍Yorkshire based
🏆 winning
👉🏿 DM for queries or collaborations

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Black Pound Day is back. 👊🏿🖤
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It’s more than a moment… it’s a reminder that where we spend our money matters.
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Black-owned businesses don’t get the same investment, visibility or trust, so intentional spending becomes an act of impact.
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🗓️ Every FIRST Saturday of the month, we choose to buy Black… on purpose.
Because when we do, we’re investing in:
👉🏿 jobs,
👉🏿 communities,
👉🏿 and future generations.
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As always, so much respect to @swissworld_ for starting this movement.
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To Afro Leaders: Watch. Share. Spend with intention.
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#BlackPoundDay #BuyBlackUK #SupportBlackBusiness #EconomicJustice #IntentionalSpending @bpdofficial by @afro_leads

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7 months ago

Following yesterday’s announcement, I thought it would be a good time to (re)introduce to myself to you all.
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My name is Steph (she/her) and I’m a Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Specialist.
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I’m wifey to an incredible man (who I met on my university year abroad in Spain amost 20 years ago!!) and we have two absolutely wonderful children together.
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When not trying to coordinate the chaos (and joy!) that is family life… my day job means I am responsible for implementing diversity and inclusion strategies, creating and delivering training and facilitating conversations about inclusion. Quite a lot to juggle, but I thoroughly love what I do!
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Afro Leads was founded in 2018. At the time I felt a need to:
👉🏿 see more positive images of Black Britain,
👉🏿 read nuanced and varied narratives from Black British people,
👉🏿 learn the true definition of what is meant by “Black” and “British”,
👉🏿 increase my network to include people and groups that have the same values and interests as me,
👉🏿 amplify Black voices and businesses.
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I really want to focus on growth areas this year, so my goals for the enterprise include:
❤️ continuing to share Black excellence,
⬆️ ⁠increasing engagement,
🙌🏿 collaborating with other brands with similar values,
🎥 ⁠being brave and creating more video content.
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What do you want to see more of on the page? Comment below or send me a DM!
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Thanks for all the support to date! Your likes, comments and sharing of content is what keeps me going! ✌🏿❤️.
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#AllowMeToReintroduceMyself by @afro_leads

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2 years ago

When we are taught history in the UK - we are taught a whitewashed version. FACT. One part of history that we weren’t taught at school was the Berlin conference.
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In 1884 the leaders of 14 European countries and the United States came together to discuss control of Africa’s resources. This gathering was called ‘The Berlin Conference’ (sometimes referred to as “The scramble for Africa”). The main objective of this meeting:
🚨 to discuss the partitioning of Africa,
🚨establishing rules to amicably divide resources
🚨 make as much profit and gains at the expense of the African people.
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Great Britain, France, Germany and Portugal were the major players in the discussions… Notably missing were any representatives from Africa.
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One of the missions of this conference was for each European country that claimed possession over a part of Africa to bring “civilization,” in the form of Christianity, as well as trade.
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As we know, many of these missions ended in slavery, inhumane treatment of local people, erasure of culture, mindless plundering of land for natural resources - which in turn caused vast environmental damage, and corruption.
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We welcome you to research further into this topic… far too much information to put into an instagram / Facebook post. But as you know… #knowledgeispower 👊🏿
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#bhm #blackhistorymonth by @afro_leads

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4 years ago

🖤 This one really spoke to me.
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Right now, I’m in the thick of the school holidays...
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Holiday clubs.
Nursery.
Work.
Being a mum.
Being a wife.
Trying to keep all the plates spinning.
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Then I read the story of a mum (Natalie) simply trying to make the system work for her and her 8 year old son Azuriah, who needs SEND support. Like so many parents of children with additional needs, she’s navigating a system that often isn’t designed with her family in mind.
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The school holidays can be stressful for any parent. But for families raising children with SEND, the challenge is often on another level.
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Suitable holiday provision can be limited. Routines that children rely on are disrupted. Parents are left juggling work commitments while trying to ensure their child is safe, supported and able to thrive.
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The overwhelming majority of parents don’t want to choose between their career and their child. They want to work. They want to provide. They simply need a system that recognises their reality and gives them the support to do both.
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No parent should feel they’re constantly having to fight for the adjustments their child needs.
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As someone balancing work and family myself, this was a timely reminder that behind every parent doing the school holiday juggle is a different story. Some of those stories carry challenges most of us never see.
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To every parent holding it all together this summer—you’ve got this. And to those navigating the additional demands of raising a child with SEND, I see you. 🖤
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#SEND #Parenting #SchoolHolidays #WorkingParents #FamilyLife by @afro_leads

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12 hours ago

🖤 When you meet one of the legends you’ve posted about... 🖤
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I was walking through Leeds yesterday when I spotted that look... 👀😂
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There was only one thing for it… I ran over, gave @eman.rtm a hug and his flowers. 🌹
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If you’ve followed Afro Leads for a while, you’ll know I’ve featured @eman.rtm before. His content is simple, funny and brilliantly executed. He asks members of the public what seem like straightforward questions... and their answers (or lack of them 😅) speak for themselves.
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What I loved most yesterday, though, wasn’t the content… it was seeing the smile behind the camera. Genuine, humble and appreciative.
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To @eman.rtm: thank you for bringing laughter to our timelines and for building something uniquely yours. Long may it continue.
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Keep shining, brother. The best is still to come. 🙌🏿🖤
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#Leeds #BlackBritishCreators #ContentCreator #RepresentationMatters taken in Leeds, England, UK by @afro_leads

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15

a day ago

Watching the World Cup has reminded me of the pioneers who quietly changed the game.
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Uriah Rennie made history as the Premier League’s first Black referee, officiating more than 300 top-flight matches and earning widespread respect for his calm authority, professionalism and integrity.
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But let’s be honest… being the first is never easy.
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He stepped into a role where there were very few people who looked like him, with little visible support and immense scrutiny. Every decision was magnified. Every mistake risked being judged more harshly. Yet he persevered, opening doors that had long been closed.
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His success wasn’t just about officiating football matches. It challenged perceptions of who could lead, who could command authority and who belonged at the highest level of the game.
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Today, we celebrate more diversity on the pitch, but there is still work to do behind the scenes… in refereeing, coaching, leadership and governance. Representation doesn’t happen by accident; it happens because pioneers refuse to accept the status quo.
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Uriah Rennie’s legacy isn’t measured only in the matches he refereed, but in the countless people who saw him and thought, “Maybe there’s a place for me too.”
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We’ll never forget what he did for English football.
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He was added to the FIFA international referee list in 2000. He also served as a magistrate in #Sheffield and later as chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University before passing away in June 2025 at the age of 65.
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🙏🏿 We stand on the shoulders of giants.
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#UriahRennie #RepresentationMatters #PremierLeague #BlackHistory Football by @afro_leads

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3 days ago

🖤✨ Leeds’ own, Baroness Alison Lowe. ✨🖤
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A huge congratulations to Alison Lowe on her appointment to the House of Lords. What an incredible achievement, not just for Alison, but for Leeds too. 👏🏿
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For decades, Alison has been a driving force for change across our city. From her leadership at Touchstone, championing mental health and tackling inequalities, to becoming the first Black woman to lead a political group on Leeds City Council, she has dedicated her career to improving lives and strengthening communities.
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Now, she’ll take that wealth of experience, compassion and leadership to Parliament as a member of the House of Lords.
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Representation matters.
Not because diverse faces alone change systems, but because people with lived experience, deep community roots and a proven commitment to public service bring perspectives that help shape better decisions.
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Leeds is incredibly proud of you, Alison. Thank you for continuing to lead with purpose and for showing the next generation that there is no limit to where they can belong.
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#AlisonLowe #HouseOfLords #Leeds #RepresentationMatters #BlackExcellence by @afro_leads

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4 days ago

A huge shout-out to @KikeOniwinde, founder of BYP Network, who has launched @RaisingGreats… a community dedicated to helping parents raise confident, resilient and purpose-driven children.
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@RaisingGreats brings together parents through:
🙌🏿 practical resources,
🙏🏿 expert insights
🗣️ honest conversations about everything from education and wellbeing to identity,
👌🏿 confidence and navigating modern parenting.
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It’s about creating a village where parents can learn, share experiences and equip their children with the tools to thrive.
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If you’re a parent (or soon to be one) this is definitely a community worth checking out.
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Join the conversation, connect with other families and invest in raising the next generation of greats. 🙌🏿
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#RaisingGreats #Parenting #Community #RepresentationMatters by @afro_leads

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5 days ago

🙏🏿 Rest in Eternal Peace, Lincoln Richards. 🕊️
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Leeds has lost a true community giant.
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Lincoln Richards dedicated decades of his life to serving others, becoming a respected mentor, grassroots football leader and unwavering advocate for young people across our city. Through his work, he created opportunities, nurtured talent and gave countless children a sense of belonging, purpose and belief in themselves.
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His legacy extends far beyond football. Lincoln understood that community is built through consistency, compassion and showing up for people… week after week, year after year.
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The outpouring of love following his passing speaks volumes about the lives he touched. His influence can be seen not only in those who went on to achieve great things, but in the many whose paths he quietly helped shape away from the spotlight.
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Leeds will miss him. The community he inspired and served will miss him.
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My thoughts are especially with his family and loved ones as they navigate this profound loss.
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Thank you, Lincoln Richards, for everything you gave to your city.
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May you rest in eternal peace. 🕊️🖤
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#LincolnRichards #Leeds #CommunityLeader #GrassrootsFootball #Legacy by @afro_leads

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6 days ago

🖤✈️ Out of Office! ✈️🖤
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After what’s been a very busy few months, I’m pressing pause for a little while.
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The next two weeks are all about family time, making memories, recharging the batteries and enjoying a much-needed digital detox. ❤️
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Afro Leads will be taking a short break, but don’t worry… I’ll be back soon, ready to continue celebrating Black excellence, amplifying underrepresented voices and championing the stories that deserve to be heard.
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Before I go, I’d love to hear from you…
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💭 What would you like to see more of when I’m back?
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More Black-owned businesses?
More inspiring individuals?
More Black Pound Day video reviews?
More history?
More workplace conversations?
More community events?
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Drop your ideas in the comments or send me a DM. This page has always been shaped by this incredible community, and I’d love your thoughts.
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Thank you for every like, share, comment and conversation. It never goes unnoticed.
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Take care of yourselves, keep supporting one another and I’ll see you all in two weeks.
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Much love,
Steph 🖤
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#AfroLeads #DigitalDetox #BlackExcellence #RepresentationMatters by @afro_leads

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20 days ago

🖤 “I just had a feeling.”
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How many times have Black people heard those words?
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This week, Kassandra Gordon shared a video showing her being refused boarding onto a Flibco bus at Stansted Airport.
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The driver couldn’t point to any disruptive behaviour. He couldn’t identify a rule she’d broken.
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According to witnesses, Kassandra had simply been waiting for the bus like everyone else before attempting to board.
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His explanation?
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“I had a feeling.”
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Let’s call that feeling what it too often is: racism.
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This is how racism can present itself in everyday life. Not always through slurs or explicit discrimination, but through assumptions, suspicion and treating someone differently because of their ethnicity.
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Thankfully, Kassandra filmed the interaction, and fellow passengers supported her account, confirming that she had done nothing wrong.
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This “feeling” left a Black woman stranded late at night, travelling alone. That isn’t just poor customer service—it raises serious questions about bias, accountability and how Black customers are treated.
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@Flibco, what are you doing about this incident?
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Afro Leaders, do your thing. 🖤
👉🏿 Share Kassandra’s story.
👀 Tag @Flibco.
🙏🏿 Support @KassandraGordonLondon by visiting her page and amplifying her voice.
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Silence allows these incidents to be forgotten. Visibility is often where accountability begins.
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#RaceEquality #Racism #EverydayRacism #BlackBritishVoices #RepresentationMatters by @afro_leads

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21 days ago

Happy #BlackPoundDay! For those that don’t know, it’s the first Saturday of every month and an opportunity to encourage people to #BuyBlack.
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Today I’m shouting out @ColourshotCards.
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I’m a regular customer, and I recently bought this stunning thank you card for a colleague who’s been such a solid support to me at work. She absolutely loved it!
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👌🏿 They have a huge variety of cards
👌🏿 They are even more beautiful in real life
👌🏿 The quality is incredible
👌🏿 The delivery is always so quick.
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So next time you’re looking for a card, skip the supermarket and buy Black instead.
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Why is Black Pound Day important?
👉🏿 encourages consumers to actively support Black-owned businesses,
👉🏿 leads to increased sales and visibility for Black-owned businesses,
👉🏿 raises awareness about the economic disadvantages faced by Black entrepreneurs and businesses.
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Thanks for watching, sharing and commenting ❤️👍🏿.
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As always - a huge shoutout to @swissworld_ 👑 for starting Black Pound Day 🙏🏿!
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#supportblackbusiness @bpdofficial #bpd by @afro_leads

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22 days ago