From the moment I entered Manchester Central, I knew this She Leads For Legacy Conference was an unstoppable coronation of Black excellence.
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What was it like?
The air crackled with a different kind of electricity – the power of intention. This was a sanctuary built for us, by us. Women (and men) gathered with a shared, unstoppable determination to lead, build, and leave a legacy.
Why did I attend?
Every rising woman needs her champions. Mine were two friends – Stella and Christiana – who insisted I be in that room. I was also pulled by the brilliance of several trailblazing women whose brilliance I refused to witness from afar. Sharing the experience with Christiana was transformative with our shared ITV interview cementing the day’s significance, and amplifying our message from the conference floor to the national stage.
As a Black woman, it was life-altering to be surrounded by confidence, powerful stories, and resilience. There was a shared and celebratory recognition of our successes, our struggles, and our collective strength. The unstoppable energy was in motion and alive in this event.
Unstoppable Founders: Sharon and Afiya Amesu’s Keynotes
Together, Sharon and Afiya Amesu have built something that will change the trajectory of leadership across all sectors – a community where Black women can truly thrive. Their synergy on stage was electric.
Sharon Amesu, co-founder of She Leads for Legacy, stepping into a boxing ring – a striking metaphor that became the thread of the day. “Life is like an arena – it’s not pretty. You’re going to have to take off your gloves and get in the ring.”
This was more than a metaphor but a movement. A call to courage. A reminder that when life lands a punch, you don’t retreat – you strategise, you stand taller, and you keep pushing forward.
Her keynote was fire and strategy; reminding us that leadership isn’t neat or predictable, it’s an arena where grit, grace, and growth collide. And when you’re on the ropes, you don’t give up – you rethink, reframe, and rise again.
Afiya Amesu, a next-generation leader whose message echoed power through the room following her recollection of the courage and journey of Rosa Parks: “Yes I can, and yes I will.”
Her conviction was contagious. Her words were a movement mantra.
Together, these two Amazonian women are legacy in motion – building bridges, breaking ceilings, and empowering others to lead boldly, brilliantly, and without apology.
Unstoppable Mindset: Michelle Moore
Michelle Moore opened with raw authenticity and unmistakable strength, delivering what felt like a high-ticket, live coaching masterclass on self-leadership. Her message was a bold, unforgettable decree: Power isn’t given. It is claimed, owned, and embodied.
Through her framework – Presence, Outlook, Wisdom, Empowerment, and Resilience – Michelle reminded us that true influence begins with being into yourself: grounded in self-love, unapologetic in your light, wielding your agency with intention – aware of the impact your presence carries, and strategically packing your kitbag before the storm hits.
Her proof point was visceral: a story of holding a “deafening silence” after refusing to answer a reductive question at a UN event. In that moment, she didn’t just reclaim her power – she gave every woman in the room permission to do the same.
Michelle channelled her inner disruptor, invoking Serena Williams and other archetypes – the builder, weaver, storyteller, visionary – to illustrate that leadership has many faces, but one shared truth: Your voice is your power.
She challenged us to be Leader-Ful – to ensure our language, actions, and intentions align with the full power of our words. She urged us to eliminate hesitancy and use words that claim authority:
- Replace “If” with “When.”
- Swap “Let’s” for “I Can.”
- Lead with: “I recommend,” “I propose,” “I urge.”
- Stop undermining phrases like “Does that make sense?” and cease unnecessary apologies.
Her final decree was a powerful rallying call for radical self-care, framing resilience not as indulgence, but as strategic defiance.
“Oppression thrives on our exhaustion and depletion. Our power depends on our replenishment.”
Therefore, protecting our rest and planning for our joy is a a radical act. Using spaces like this conference for shared fellowship. Making sure to use our self-care tools as tools of resistance. Looking after ourselves is a part of our political welfare.
Resilience, she said, must be built daily through non-negotiable rituals in Mindfulness, Mindset, and Movement – small daily rituals that keep us strong and intentional. She ended by reminding us that there is power in our unstoppable mindset – the ultimate fuel for the journey to claim everything that is rightfully ours.
Her book – Real Wins: Race, Leadership and How to Redefine Success is one to buy now.
(And yes, this high-ticket coaching was nothing short of transformational.)
Unstoppable Rhythm: Oti Mabutse
There had been plenty of movement and music throughout the conference – but when Oti Mabuse took the stage, something shifted. Light, laughter, and rhythm filled the room. Oti embodied the essence of joyful leadership – reminding us that grace, play, and authenticity are as vital to leadership as strategy and strength.
Her spontaneous ballroom dance with Sharon’s son became an unforgettable symbol of what it means to lead with humanity. In that moment, she reminded us: our joy is not a distraction from our power; it is our power.
Oti spoke with deep emotion about her mother – the true pioneer who nurtured her and her sister’s love for music and dance back in South Africa. Weekends were filled with rhythm, connection, and joy. It was her mother’s vision that kept them grounded and focused.
As she shared her journey, Oti revealed a profound truth: many of the Latin and ballroom dances celebrated worldwide: samba from Angola, rumba from Congo and Ghana, cha-cha from Nigeria, and the jive – all trace their roots back to Africa. “Dance,” she said, “is in our blood – it’s how we pray, celebrate, and create community. How could we have lost it?” Her words carried both pride and sorrow, as she reflected on how far we’ve drifted from that heritage. This discovery has fueled her purpose: to use her platform to reconnect Black people to the rhythm that runs in our blood.
Oti spoke candidly about navigating spaces where she is often the only one. “When you walk into a room, you feel a magnifying glass. You’re not just yourself; you are representing an entire demographic.” The relentless pressure of representation – to be seen, to be flawless, to stand for so many – can be exhausting. Yet she carries that responsibility with grace, aware that she walks in the footsteps of many, and clears the path for more to follow. “If I am going to be the only one in the room,” she declared, “I will use my voice to highlight the vast diversity of Black experiences – the Caribbean, North Africa, Central Africa – so I can represent with truth, not just ego.”
She reframed code-switching not as selling out or loss of self, but as a strategic tool for survival and legacy. “It can get you the promotion that feeds your family. You have to be adjustable,” she acknowledged. “I do it for the people who follow me, for my daughter, for my community. I am not just doing it for you.” She highlighted the stark reality for Black professionals: “We fail down. If my show is cancelled, it’s over. Others fail up and get another chance.” Understanding this reality makes strategic adaptation a necessity for impact.
As a dancer, author, TV judge, and TV presenter, Oti embodies multifaceted reinvention. She refuses to be boxed in, attributing her versatility to her parents’ fierce emphasis on education across arts, sports, and literature. She is a creator, a connector, a woman constantly evolving.
Behind the spotlight, she prioritises self-care with fierce intention – rest, nourishment, gym time, and moments with her daughter are non-negotiable. “My energy,” she said, “is like an iPhone battery. When I give 100%, I have to recharge. That’s how I stay whole.”
Her father’s advice still guides her: Be grateful for the lives you’ve touched.
Oti’s closing wisdom was a rallying cry to all: “Never compromise your originality. Make your moments count. Be memorable. Do something that fills you with pride, because when you do, you don’t just represent yourself- you represent us all.“
Unstoppable Inclusive Leadership
The Unstoppable Inclusive Leadership panel was a masterclass in wielding influence. This panel featuring Charlotte Sweeney OBE, Paul Corcoran, Cynthia V. Davis CBE, and Khurram Hussain, delivered a powerful call to action: equip yourself with the tools to transform your workplaces and communities with integrity, empathy, and boldness.
Together, they tackled the uncomfortable truths – that inclusion requires courage, persistence, and the willingness to speak up even when it’s risky. “If we don’t see inclusion in action,” one panellist noted, “we have a duty to call it out.”
Cynthia reminded the audience that courage and grace are non-negotiables in this work. Echoing Michelle Obama’s timeless call, she said: “When they go low, we go high.” Her commitment to doubling down on this mission; even in challenging times; was palpable and deeply inspiring.
Khurram highlighted how businesses facing economic pressure need diverse voices more than ever, not less. “The best boards mirror the diversity of the streets they serve,” he said. Yet, he warned that recent rhetoric risks undoing years of progress – with fewer requests for diverse shortlists at senior levels.
Charlotte shared that her passion for fairness was sparked in childhood after witnessing discrimination against her father. It ignited a lifelong drive to make workplaces more equal and humane. She cautioned against the current social media culture that erases nuance: “We’ve lost the art of listening. Inclusion lives in the in-between; not in right or wrong, but in understanding.”
Paul shared a powerful story about turning bias into motivation. In a board interview, someone once sneered, “Who invited the hairdresser?” – to which he quipped, “I’ll show you the hairdresser; at least I’ve got hair.” Beneath the humour lay grit. Every time someone underestimated him, he used it as fuel to push harder and rise higher. “Let them underestimate us,” he said. “We’ll use that power to prove what’s possible.” For Paul, success is collective – built through community, resilience, and bringing others into the room with you.
Cynthia and Khurram shared stark and powerful reflections on being mistaken for junior staff, even in executive settings, revealing that bias persists even in the highest echelons of power. Their calm strength in those moments was deeply moving. “When we’re in those rooms, we’re not just representing ourselves,” Cynthia said. “but an entire community, with unwavering grace and the unassailable knowledge that we have earned our seat.”
The conversation turned to one of the hardest truths: sometimes exclusion starts at the top. When leadership tolerates bias or “banter,” it gives silent permission for inequity to thrive. The panel urged leaders to address issues chair to chair, using personal stories to rehumanize the conversation.
Khurram also shared a story from his work with the Parker Review, recounting how David Tyler, former Chair of Sainsbury’s, appointed the company’s first Black female board member. The ripple effect was immediate – employees across the company began to see themselves in leadership and reach higher. Representation, he said, isn’t just symbolic – it’s transformational.
Sharon issued a powerful challenge to the room: more of us need to step forward and take our rightful place at the table. Too often, she said, we disqualify ourselves before the opportunity even arises. Real change doesn’t happen from the sidelines – it begins when we show up, speak up, and claim our seats in the spaces where decisions are made.
This panel embodied inclusion. It was a conversation that challenged, inspired, and redefined what leadership must look like in these times: brave, accountable, and unstoppable.
Unstoppable Vision: Kanya King CBE
To sit in the presence of Kanya King is to witness a living definition of unstoppable vision. The founder of the MOBO Awards shared her journey not just as a story of success, but as a testament to a resilience that forges legacy itself.
Her context was profound. Last year, Kanya was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and given six months to live. Her fierce declaration to the room? “That is not going to be my life.” This same defiant spirit has defined her entire career. She chose to share her story publicly – not for sympathy, but to inspire action and save lives.
Kanya’s unstoppable vision was born from two powerful rejections that she refused to accept:
- A System That Couldn’t See Her: At 15, a career officer, learning she was on free school meals, told her to be “realistic.” about her dreams. And suggested that with enough hard work, she might one day manage a Sainsbury’s. In that moment, a core belief was forged: “Who I am destined to become is who I decide to be.”
- A Circumstance Meant to Define Her: Becoming a single parent at 16 with no qualifications, she was told her life was effectively over. Instead, she resolved to become the greatest role model for her son.
Surrounded by phenomenally talented Black creators who were locked out of the industry, Kanya saw a glaring injustice. There was no platform to celebrate their excellence, no mechanism to create the “civic pride” she knew her community deserved.
Her vision was clear, but the path was solitary. With no mentorship, corporate backing, or funding, she took the ultimate gamble: remortgaging her home multiple times. “It was all or nothing,” she recalled. “My Plan B was my Plan A.”
She operated from her bedroom, her naive persistence becoming her greatest asset. “I couldn’t talk myself out of it,” she said. “I didn’t have skills or money, but what I had was far more powerful: I had passion, resilience, and that African pride.”
The journey was brutal, marked by media attacks that nearly destroyed the business and sponsors who walked away. Through every battle, Kanya’s philosophy remained unwavering. She taught us to reframe rejection: “When I hear the word ‘no,’ I reframe it as ‘not over.’”
And from her current health battle, she gave the room a mantra we will carry forever: “Don’t get bitter, get better.”
The spontaneous standing ovation that followed was out of profound reverence – for her courage, her clarity, and her monumental contribution. Kanya’s journey has shattered stereotypes and redefined what was possible for Black creatives in the global music industry. Today, the MOBO Awards stand as a global force celebrating Black excellence, culture, and creativity – a platform built on resilience, not privilege.
The legacy of the MOBO Awards is etched in the generational wealth of the artists it has platformed. Kanya’s eyes shine with pride not for her own accolades, but for the artists who tell her, “You didn’t just change my life, you changed my children’s lives.”
Her final charge was a reflection of her entire journey: “When you rise, you have to lift others up.”
Kanya King is unstoppable vision in human form – a leader who proves that the most powerful narratives are not just told, but lived, fought for, and remixed into an anthem for us all. As she prepares to bring the MOBO Awards’ 30th anniversary to Manchester, her message is clear – unstoppable vision isn’t about avoiding obstacles; it’s about transforming them into purpose.
Kanya King is not just surviving; she is leading, lifting, and leaving a legacy that will echo for generations.
Unstoppable Finance: Ayesha Ofori
Ayesha Ofori, a former Goldman Sachs wealth advisor who managed over half a billion pounds, and founder of Propelle, took the stage with a powerful and urgent mission: to shatter the financial myths holding women back and ignite a revolution in wealth-building. Her session was a masterclass in transforming financial anxiety into unstoppable action, framed by a stark reality: the gender investment gap in the UK stands at a staggering £1.65 trillion.
Ayesha began by confronting the limiting beliefs – “it’s too complicated,” “I don’t have enough,” “money talk is rude” – that keep women from claiming their financial power. Her antidote was a powerful framework for financial mastery, built on four essential pillars:
- Grow It: Make your money work harder than you do through the power of investing and compounding.
- Raise It: Understand that a salary alone will not build wealth. “It’s what you do with that salary.”
- Move It: Be strategic. Don’t let money sit idle; move it to accounts where it can earn more.
- Protect It: Be tax-savvy. Utilize tools like ISAs and pensions to shield your growth from unnecessary erosion.
With compelling clarity, Ayesha unveiled what Einstein called the “eighth wonder of the world”: compounding. She illustrated how “Jack,” who invested for just 10 years starting at age 25, ended up with more wealth than “Jill,” who invested three times longer but started a decade later. Her message was undeniable: “Start as early as you can. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”
Ayesha’s charge to the room was not to get overwhelmed, but to start – today. Her challenge was direct: “What is the one thing you will commit to doing today?” For many, she said, that single step is to finally look at their pension statements. It’s about moving from passive hope to active strategy, understanding that building generational wealth isn’t a privilege for the few, but a achievable plan for anyone with the courage to begin.
Her final words were a call to arms: financial freedom is the bedrock of unstoppable legacy. It’s not just about securing your own future, but about creating a “step up” for the generations that follow. The power to close the gap and build a legacy of abundance starts with a single, decisive step.
Unstoppable Business
The Unstoppable Business panel, featuring a formidable force of serial entrepreneurs and C-suite executives including Anita Frost, Claudine Reid MBE, Bridget Lea, Daniella Genas, and Cody Gapare – was an unapologetically powerful masterclass in building with audacity. This was a thunderous celebration of Black women redefining entrepreneurship and leadership.
Sharon opened with a truth that set the tone: “The fastest-growing demographic of new business founders is women of colour.” This was a declaration of power, purpose, and possibility. Each panellist embodied what it means to build against the odds and rise with intention.
Anita Frost defined entrepreneurship as “making something out of nothing.” But the true engine of a lasting legacy, she revealed, is a radical shift in perspective. True builders “think in decades” and “build in community,” moving beyond short-term goals to forge generational impact. Through her global brand, Green Bean Studios, this philosophy comes to life, channeling passion into a tangible force for children’s wellbeing and education.
At the core of her journey is a liberating truth: “Nothing is wasted,” she affirmed. “Every experience is shaping you for the moment it’s time to go forward.” Her own path – a deliberate tapestry woven over twenty years in child development; proves that every skill and every season is strategic preparation. The call to action is clear: build with purpose, grow in collaboration, and trust that your time to rise is being forged in every step you take.
Claudine Reid reframed our reality with a critical acronym: we operate in a VUCA world – one defined by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. In this landscape, she championed strategic courage as our most vital tool. Her charge was clear: “To be unstoppable, you have to turn up the dial on your leadership,” demanding we commit to continuous upskilling and lean unapologetically into our unique purpose.
Her challenge was a call to arms: to thrive in constant change is to embody courageous adaptability. But this leadership is not a solitary pursuit. True power lies in collective empowerment. This journey begins by answering her most profound insight: “There is a business in you – it’s your responsibility to bring it out.” The call is not just to lead, but to build, empower, and unleash the potential in others.
Bridget Lea, from the C-suite of Snapchat to the helm of Manchester Metropolitan University, embodies a leadership of profound impact. She defined the core tenets of steering transformation: an unshakeable clear strategy, a genuinely inclusive culture, and the deep personal resilience to navigate inevitable “curveballs.”
Her wisdom is a masterclass in execution: “Have a clear strategy, stay grounded in purpose, and build a culture where people feel safe to speak up.” This trifecta is what turns vision into reality. Her very presence on the global stage is a testament to visibility, proving that leadership is not just about managing change, but about becoming the undeniable proof of what is possible.
Daniella Genas electrified the room with a seismic shift in perspective: “Big Boss Energy.” This isn’t a title you earn later; it’s the conscious decision to adopt the mindset of your future self, today. She challenged the audience to abandon the timeline of “readiness” and immediately step into the authority of the leader they are destined to become.
Her battle cry cut through the noise: “Set the target at the top of the house.” This is not a call for cautious steps, but for terrifying, decisive action. Her mantra, “Think big, take action, and keep pushing,” became a collective vow. It’s the understanding that obstacles are part of the path, and the only currency that matters is consistent, fearless action.
From the fire of personal adversity, Cody Gapare forged a revolution. While navigating cancer treatment, she experienced a loss – the loss of her eyelashes – that became her catalyst. In that vulnerable space, she saw what no one else could – a glaring gap in the market, born from a deeply personal need. Her journey is a testament to the power of a singular vision.
Her insight was a declaration of sovereignty: “Your dream belongs to you. Even if you stand alone, stand tall.” She reframed isolation as focus, stating, “Why do you assume I see more than one road? I only see my road.” For Cody, a dream is a divine assignment. Her story reminds us that the vision gifted to you will always burn brighter than the obstacles placed before it.
The panel’s ultimate charge was a unified declaration: the era of the solitary hero is over. True unstoppable force is forged in community. As Claudine Reid powerfully illustrated, “10% of a watermelon is better than 100% of a grape.” This is the new calculus for legacy – prioritizing powerful, shared ventures over fragile, solitary endeavors. The call from Daniella, Anita, and every leader was clear: build your “bubble” of mentors and truth-tellers, and create spaces where you can be both strategically sharp and authentically vulnerable.
The resounding takeaway is that “unstoppable” is not a finish line, but a fearless mindset chosen daily. It is the conscious decision to transform every obstacle into opportunity and every fear into fuel. It’s about standing on the shoulders of giants while ensuring you become a shoulder for the next. Your vision is valid, your journey is yours to own, and your success is not merely a possibility – it is your inevitable destination. This is the heart of unstoppable business: building a legacy that lifts, leading with a courage that transforms, and claiming the space the world needs you to fill.
Unstoppable Confidence: Caroline Flanagan
Caroline Flanagan reframed the experience of isolation as a position of power. She contrasted the feeling of being “the only one” with the empowering identity of being “the first.” Drawing from her own journey through elite, predominantly white institutions, she revealed that the pivotal shift from exclusion to leadership lies in a single, powerful thought: “You change one thought, and you can change everything.” This mental reframe transforms otherness into originality and a burden into a badge of honour.
To ensure this new mindset endures beyond the conference high, Caroline equipped the audience with a practical tool: the “Imposter Speech.” This is a pre-written, personal manifesto crafted during a peak state of confidence. Designed to be carried everywhere, it serves as an immediate resource to reclaim one’s power in moments of doubt, answering the core questions of identity, achievement, and purpose – Who am I? What have I achieved? Why am I here? – to instantly reconnect you with your unstoppable self.
Caroline’s closing charge was a call to embodied action. She redefined the nervous excitement that comes with stepping into new spaces not as pressure, but as latent power waiting to be claimed. She affirmed that by consistently showing up as “the first,” we become unstoppable. The key is to internalize this identity so deeply that when faced with rejection or barriers, your unwavering response is a declaration of your pioneering spirit: I am the first.
My Highlights
- Poetess Jess electrified the room. One truth she gifted us continues to resonate deeply: “You didn’t change for them to notice you, they noticed you because you changed.”
- This energy fueled the rest of the day. I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with legends like Daniella Genas and Michelle Moore, connected with a powerhouse fellowship of women, and danced with a spirit that refused to be contained.
- I gave so fully to the day that I missed my train. But the echo of the day – the rhythm of our collective power – is a soundtrack that hasn’t stopped playing. A loss of schedule for a gain of soul. Totally worth it.
Unstoppable Legacy: The Power of Champions and Community
The Empowered to Lead conference culminated in a powerful testament to the ecosystem required for monumental change. Sharon Amesu illuminated that no vision is realized alone, paying tribute to the sponsors who are true partners; the team whose dedication brings the dream to life; and the families who are the unwavering champions behind every visionary. This legacy is fueled by allies who actively choose to be a bridge, exemplified by Laurie of Manchester Central, who moved from passive support to profound action, proving that a single, decisive “yes” can create ripples of transformative change.
The final charge was a declaration of identity, meant to be carried forward by every attendee. Sharon imparted that the leaders on stage are not exceptions, but reflections. “You are already a winner. You are already qualified. You are already victorious.” This event was not an end, but a collective beginning – a catalyst to unleash the unstoppable force that resides within, fortified by a community that believes in the legacy you are destined to build.
You Are the Movement: This Is Just the Beginning
Empowered to Lead 2025 was not a conference; it was a coronation. It was the undeniable proof that a new era of leadership is here – bold, brilliant, and unapologetically feminine. We left not just inspired, but weaponized with a truth: You are the permission others are waiting for.
This is not the end. This is the spark.
While the conference already offers valuable CIPD credits, my dream – and the business case I will passionately champion – is to see Empowered to Lead pursue official ICF CCEU accreditation for 2026. This crucial step would transform an already transformative experience into a recognized resource for coaches worldwide, aligning professional development with profound personal breakthrough.
This vision is a testament to the foundation built by Sharon and Afiya Amesu. Their legacy is a living, breathing ecosystem of growth, and a great step in its expansion.
This year, I am stepping into the arena by asking myself:
- Who are my true champions, and how will I strengthen those alliances?
- Where am I still waiting for permission, and what happens when I grant it to myself today?
- How will I embody “Unstoppable Energy” in my leadership, every single day?
This is your invitation to do the same. To build your legacy. To be the ally, the champion, and the leader you were born to be.
The gloves are off. The arena awaits. Your time is now.
Thank you for being a VCC reader.