Diversity lecture given by two women pioneers
The Diversity UK Paul Stephenson lecture on equality and inclusion was given by two women equality pioneers, Tangy Morgan and Elaine Sihera, on Wednesday 14th November 2018. Hosted by Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP at their City of London offices, guests heard from Tangy Morgan, Senior Advisor to the Bank of England Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), who spoke about her journey from Augusta, USA, to the London, UK, and the challenges she has to overcome throughout her career.
Writer & sociologist Elaine Sihera, who was honoured with the Chairman’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in equality and inclusion programmes in Britain, spoke about the root causes of bias and discrimination. “Brought up in poverty in Jamaica in the sixties, with a father who didn’t want girls, only boys”, Elaine initially carved out a career as a senior education manager in a British secondary school before going on to found a magazine and a multicultural training business. Today, she is an shining example of the power of confidence and positivity as a motivational speaker. She also challenged the audience to a diversity quiz to highlight the gap between perception and reality.
The Diversity UK Paul Stephenson Lecture is named in honour of the social worker who, in 1963, led the boycott of the Bristol Omnibus Company for discrimination that eventually paved the way for the Race Relations Act of 1965. Previous recipients of the Chairman’s Award include Dr Stephenson himself; Simon Woolley, Co-Founder & Director of Operation Black Vote (OBV) and entrepreneur Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, among others.
The Diversity UK Paul Stephenson Lecture is sponsored by the Ethnic Minority Foundation and Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP.
About Tangy Morgan
Tangy Morgan is a Senior Advisor to the Bank of England Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). She has over 30 years of experience in the US, Bermuda, London and international markets, working for global organisations such as Chubb, AIG and Lloyd’s of London. Tangy is a frequent speaker on corporate board governance, diversity and inclusion, leadership and technological implications for the financial services sector.
She served as a mentor for Techstars Barclay, London; a member of the Alumni Advisory Board at Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN; Trustee of the Ethnic Minority Foundation, London; Advisory Board of Strategia Worldwide Ltd, London; Council of Democrats Abroad UK, London; St James’s Roundtable, Chatham House, Royal Institute of International Affairs, London; University Women’s Club, London and the Black Cultural Archives, London. Tangy was named a Distinguished Alumni of Boston University 2018 and Distinguished Alumni of the College of Business at Tennessee State University’s 2018 Spotlight Magazine. She recently won the WinTrade 2018 Award in the Women on Boards category. She holds a BBA degree from Tennessee State University and a MSc degree in Business Continuity, Security and Risk Management from Boston University. Tangy hold dual citizenship status with the US and UK.
About Elaine Sihera
A writer, sociologist, Cambridge postgraduate, Open University doctor, and a leading achiever in the British Black community, Elaine Sihera is an outstanding example of the power of confidence and positivity. Someone who succeeds despite living with a life-threatening illness.
“Brought up in poverty in Jamaica in the sixties, with a father who didn’t want girls, only boys”, she first made her mark as a senior education manager in a British secondary school, where she dramatically improved attendance and performance in her year group, then as an education editor of The Voice newspaper, and later managing editor of a magazine she created, New Impact, which promoted, and advised on multicultural and training issues across the UK.
Since then, her prolific writing on emotional health, career development, relationships and personal confidence that includes publishing 4 books and over 3000 articles, has also made her a columnist, expert commentator on TV and radio, and one of the most quoted British women on the Internet.
Her many 'firsts' include being the first Black graduate of the Open University, a presenter of the first Diversity Lecture at the House of Commons, and a keynote speaker at UNESCO's Global Women’s Leadership Conference in Paris. She was also the first Black woman to own a national magazine, and the only woman to be awarded two National Training Awards by the Department of Trade and Industry. Founder of both the British Diversity Awards, which helped to pioneer effective diversity management in many UK establishments, and the Windrush Achievement Awards, that recognised the outstanding contributions of minorities .
In 2018, Elaine was honoured by the Open University with a doctorate for her ‘exceptional contribution to education and culture, and protecting and enriching Britain's diversity landscape.’
About Diversity UK
Diversity UK is a think tank to research, advocate and promote ideas for improving diversity and inclusion in Britain. It is an evidence-based initiative that seeks to influence policy, enhance civic engagement and improve the perception of the minority ethnic community in Britain. Diversity UK delivers its objectives by undertaking research, facilitating debates, hosting roundtable meetings and producing white papers.
Founded in 2012, Diversity UK is a registered charity (No: 1155189) in England & Wales run by Mr Dilip Joshi MBE as Chair; Ms Rita Hunt as Trustee and Mrs Lopa Patel MBE as CEO. Diversity UK is run as a membership organisation with a database of over 1500 senior UK BAME professionals.
About The Ethnic Minority Foundation
The Ethnic Minority Foundation (EMF) is a national registered charity created in 1999. It is an independent organisation that seeks to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice in society, and address the growing inequalities in the world system. EMF’s social justice programme has sought to tackle some of the most difficult issues facing societies today. It has worked to try and protect children from exploitation; safeguard the rights of women and other vulnerable groups; tackle poverty and seek social applications for new technologies. Currently most of its work is focused on social enterprises and providing services and opportunities to local communities.
For further information, visit www.emfoundation.org.uk
About Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
As a global top 15 law practice, Eversheds Sutherland provides legal advice and solutions to a global client base ranging from small and mid-sized businesses to the largest multinationals. Clients describe us as creative and well-versed in cutting edge legal work – we listen well in order to understand how and where we can be most effective and add the greatest value.
Diversity and inclusion for us refers to the similarities and differences that exist between people. This includes not only race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation and gender identity but also social and educational background, nationality, marital status and family or care responsibilities. It acknowledges that most individuals do not belong to a single identity group but, in most cases, to several. For us appreciating diversity means demonstrably valuing and respecting our people, our clients and our community for all identity groups. We pride ourselves on developing an inclusive high performance culture where our clients, people and communities can thrive.
For further information, visit www.eversheds-sutherland.com
