Creating Safe Spaces and Speaking Truth: Reflecting on Black Ballad’s Cocktails & Conversations Event
On October 25th, 2017, I had the distinct honour of hosting Black Ballad’s Cocktails and Conversations; an unforgettable evening filled with connection, courage, and community. The event, affectionately known as #BBCocktailsandConvo, was more than just a panel discussion or networking mixer; it was a powerful moment of truth-telling, healing, and sisterhood for over 100 Black British women (and a few supportive Black men too).
From the moment I took the stage, the energy in the room was electric. As a Black woman motivational speaker, I’ve spoken at many events, but this one was truly special. The women who filled that space brought not only their brilliance and beauty but also their vulnerability and strength. Our theme - vitality - resonated deeply with every single person in the room. We weren’t just talking about surviving, we were reclaiming the right to thrive.
As the evening’s host, my goal was to not only guide the conversation but to create a space where Black women felt safe, seen and heard. Too often, society sidelines our voices or demands we shrink ourselves to fit into narratives that don’t reflect our truths. But that night, we flipped the script. We stood in our power, speaking boldly about our experiences, careers, well-being, and dreams.
One of my strengths as a speaker is my ability to read a room and respond with both presence and authenticity. At Black Ballad’s Cocktails and Conversations, I brought my full self to the mic—heart, humour, and honesty. I didn’t just speak to the women in the room; I spoke with them. We laughed, we got real, and we made a collective promise to never again be silenced by systems that refuse to see our worth.
The guest speakers that evening were nothing short of phenomenal. Each woman brought her unique story and insight, reinforcing what we all felt: safe spaces for Black British women aren’t optional they are essential. In a world that too often marginalizes our voices, we need spaces where we can speak freely, dream loudly, and support one another unapologetically.
This event reaffirmed why I do what I do as an events host, motivational speaker and personal branding coach, I’m passionate about creating conversations that matter and holding space for transformation. Whether I’m speaking on stage, facilitating panels, or coaching behind the scenes, my mission remains the same: to empower, uplift, and activate the potential within Black women everywhere.
Cocktails and Conversations wasn’t just an event - it was a movement and I’m proud to have played a part in a night that reminded us all of our brilliance, our power, and the beauty of coming together.
Speakers on the night were:
Food stylist, blogger and recipe developer Benjamina Ebuehi.
Co-founder of Chuku's Ifeyinwa Frederick.
PR Specialist Karen Tippett.
Equality, diversity & HR Specialist Shelley Collins
Chair of the Association for BME Engineers, Dr Nike Folayan.
Singer and TV star Jamelia.
I can't even begin to say how proud I am of Tobi Oredein, editor in chief who has been doing an amazing job with her team and I didn't want this year's event to end (neither did many of the delegates) it was TOO GOOD!I also had the opportunity to finally meet some of my online favourites in the flesh.Watch some clips from the event here: