The Series will serve a think-tank role to provide leadership and guidance in areas such as EDI in challenging times.
The dynamic EDI series of events includes panel discussions, workshops and seminars relevant to business and society. The majority of events are held online, concluding with a broader in-person event at Cambridge Judge Business School on 2 July 2026.
“The Global EDI Forum Event Series aims to generate solutions that can be shared as guidance amongst the sector and wider,” says organiser Manaz Javaid, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Cambridge Judge. “Recommendations will be drawn up after each event, and a White Paper will summarise the series and its conclusions.
“The Series will serve a think-tank role to provide leadership and guidance in areas such as EDI in challenging times, to share and implement best practice, and to develop success measures that balance data and impact while moving away from simply looking at value by numbers.”
Series launch during Black History Month looks at race across cultures
The initial event on 14 October online (13:00-14:30 GMT+1) focuses on how race is understood across different cultures, while challenging assumptions and harnessing diversity to drive innovation, inclusion and global leadership.
The session is led by Sharon Brooks, executive coach and Founder of Enlighten Leadership, and participants include industry leaders and faculty from several universities.
“The forum comes at a much-needed time for reflection around inclusion efforts,” says Sharon Brooks. “I am grateful to Cambridge Judge for leading this initiative and am honoured to be included among the incredible thought leaders who will be part of the dynamic discussions.”
Turning shared commitment into collective action
Other participating schools added their thoughts on the importance of the Global EDI Forum:
INSEAD actively engages in the Cambridge Judge Global EDI Forum, by sharing best practices, and by contributing to the ongoing EDI conversation.
Through the Cambridge Judge Global EDI Forum, we have formed a distinct and compelling community of practice. Together, we are turning shared commitment into collective action, ensuring that equity, diversity and inclusion become drivers of innovation, opportunity and positive change across universities, society and create more inclusive futures for the communities we serve.
As a new partner of the Cambridge Judge Global EDI Forum for Business Schools we look forward to the opportunity to widen conversations, collaborate in top class research and increase global connections within a warm and engaged community.
Future EDI Forum events
Future events in the EDI Forum Event Series include:
19 November 2025
International Men’s Day
8 December 2025
True accessibility
Inclusive design in business and technology by making physical accessibility work for everyone.
5 February 2026
Bringing inclusive leadership to life
6 March 2026
International Women’s Day
A focus on women in the Executive MBA and other postgraduate spaces.
18 March 2026
Digital accessibility
Tied to Neurodiversity Week/Mental Health Awareness Month 2026.
June 2026
Pride Month
Student-led event in partnership with business schools.
2 July 2026
Concluding in-person event at Cambridge Judge Business School
This event will examine Inclusive futures: building a vision for DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging), focusing on the future for DEIB, the challenge of backlash and resistance, and DEIB and the future of business education.
Standing firm during Black History Month
As part of Black History Month 2025, Cambridge Judge launched its own campaign – Cambridge Judge Black History Month 2025: Standing Firm in Power and Pride – and our community responded powerfully. Students, alumni and staff have been sharing what race equality means to them and how they draw strength from Black resilience.
Responses have highlighted the values of unity, respect and opportunity, dignity and justice, and freedom to be as cornerstones of effective race equality. Contributors described the theme Standing Firm in Power and Pride as “a clarion call to embody unyielding strength and radiant dignity” and “intellectual integrity combined with the collective strength of communities resisting inequity”.
Drawing inspiration from key historical figures
Participants drew inspiration from figures including WEB Du Bois, Winnie Mandela and Steve Biko, and from personal journeys of often being the only Black leader in a room but “striding forward undeterred by prejudice or negativity”. These reflections, accompanied by names, roles and photos, will be featured around Cambridge Judge buildings and social media channels throughout October, showcasing the strength, pride and diversity of our Business School community during Black History Month.
This year’s Black History Month theme at Cambridge Judge of Standing Firm follows the 2024 theme of Reclaiming Narratives that included a re-examination of influences and stories in order to more fully reflect the contributions and diversity of Black communities and leaders in both the past and present.
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