Yesterday, I had the absolute privilege of being interviewed by the remarkable young leaders of the Westside Young Leaders Academy (WYLA) as part of their ‘Leaders Through Our Lens’ project. It’s not every day that you find yourself sitting opposite such poised, curious, and insightful young people – the next generation of thinkers and doers – who’ve taken the time to truly see you. These students had prepared their own questions, drawn from my bio, and they were so thought-provoking that I found myself being moved by their insight and curiosity.
They wanted to know not just about my professional journey, but about my experience of grief, of not becoming a mother, and how that grief shaped who I’ve become. They asked how it felt to speak on panels like the BBC, to stand on stages and talk about topics that many still find difficult. Their curiosity was deep and genuine, their presence full of light.
In all the interviews I’ve been part of, each one has touched me in a unique way. Being among these young people, so engaged, so eager to understand life’s complexities, including loss, resilience, and purpose, reminded me of the power of honest conversations. When we create spaces like this, we show that it’s possible to have the difficult conversations and to know they will be heard.
A huge thank you to WYLA for inviting me to take part, and to the young leaders who led our conversation with such grace and curiosity. You reminded me that leadership isn’t about titles or status it’s about listening, learning, and daring to ask the questions that matter.
If you’d like to support the incredible work WYLA is doing to empower and equip young Black boys and girls to thrive, please visit their website at www.wylauk.com or consider donating here: https://ics-courses.co.uk/yladonation/Donate.html.
Together, we can help nurture the next generation of compassionate, courageous leaders, those who see the world not just through their lens, but through the eyes of others too.
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