Honouring Black communities – leadership, representation and change
20 Oct 2026
17:30 -20:00
Times shown in local time
Open to: All
Cambridge Judge Business School
Trumpington St
Cambridge
CB2 1AG
United Kingdom
Join us for an exciting Black History Month discussion exploring Black leadership, representation, race equality and how to progress change.
Bringing together 3 distinguished speakers from academia, public life, healthcare and education, the discussion will explore leadership, opportunity, belonging and systemic change. It will also discuss the ways in which narratives, including disinformation, can shape perceptions of race, identity and equality.
The panel will explore:
- what authentic and inclusive leadership looks like
- how organisations can move beyond representation towards meaningful inclusion and influence
- how to challenge systemic barriers and narratives that limit opportunity
- what role disinformation plays in shaping perceptions and debates around race and equality
- what meaningful race equity and systemic change look like in practice
The panel will be followed by an opportunity for audience questions and discussion.
This event forms part of Cambridge Judge Business School’s Black History Month 2026 programme, providing an opportunity for our community to come together to listen, learn, celebrate Black voices and experiences and reflect on how we can contribute to greater equity and inclusion.
Speakers
Dr Syra Shakir
Associate Professor of Learning and Teaching, Strategic Lead Race Equity and REC Silver, Leeds Trinity University
Dr Syra Shakir is Associate Professor of Learning and Teaching, Strategic Lead Race Equity and REC Silver at Leeds Trinity University. She is a National Teaching Fellow and award-winning scholar in anti-racist pedagogy, curriculum transformation, racialised equality and education. Syra leads research and sector-wide initiatives advancing race equity, belonging and systemic change across higher education. Syra is Chair of the international Anti-Racist Scholar Collective and Convenor of the Race and Ethnicity Study Group at the British Sociological Association.
Henrietta Mbeah-Bankas
CEO, Methodist Independent Schools Trust
Henrietta Mbeah-Bankas is a Global Health Innovation, Education and Partnerships Executive and a Cambridge Judge Business School Executive MBA alumna. She was formerly Head of Education Portfolio at NHS England, focusing on blended learning and the Educator Workforce Programme. A Registered Mental Health Nurse, Darzi Fellow alumna and former NHS Clinical Entrepreneur, Henrietta holds a number of trustee and advisory roles and contributes to research and publications relating to healthcare education, mental health and service delivery.
Lord Simon Woolley
Principal of Homerton College, Cambridge
Lord Simon Woolley is a leading advocate for racial equality, political representation and social justice, and the founder of Operation Black Vote. He has played a significant role in advancing race equality and increasing political participation and representation across the UK. He has advised successive governments on race equality and served as a Commissioner on the UK Government’s Race and Ethnic Disparities Commission.
Simon is Principal of Homerton College, University of Cambridge, and a member of the House of Lords. His work has focused on challenging structural inequalities, increasing representation and ensuring that Black communities have a stronger voice in political and public life.
Panel moderator
Professor Alan Jagolinzer
Professor of Financial Accounting, Cambridge Judge Business School
Professor of Financial Accounting, Vice-Dean for Programmes and Co-Director of the Cambridge Centre for Financial Reporting & Accountability at Cambridge Judge Business School. Alan’s research spans insider trading, corporate governance and financial reporting, with his current work examining university governance, disinformation and the skillful identification and uncovering of disinformation, crypto coin influencer networks and populist threats to market regulatory institutions.
Agenda
17:30 – 18:00
Arrival
18:00 – 20:00
Panel
20:00
End of event
Register
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