In our latest podcast we are delighted to be joined by Diane Ricketts and we'll be exploring her lived experiences of being a black woman in 2024 and what Black History Month means to her.

We explore the impact of microaggressions and hear Diane recount a story from over 30 years ago that still triggers her today. She also talks about the need for black men to be ‘actors’ to ensure they aren’t seen as angry and the constant challenge of being seen as aggressive when she is being confident or assertive. Plus she talks about the continued obsession with her hair and how this is a common theme for black women.

Diane has worked for over 44 years in both the corporate and educational space, now retired she supports both her parents.

Justin is the Group MD of Squaricle Group & the founder of ted Learning. He specialises in designing and delivering training in customer service, equality and diversity, management fundamentals, team building & presentation skills. He is passionate about engaging learning and using drama to put people on the receiving end of an experience.

https://www.tedlearning.co.uk

In our latest podcast we are delighted to be joined by Justine and Chris and we'll be exploring their lived experiences from both an educational and work perspective. We explore what we mean by neurodivergent and the conditions this covers. Chris and Justine talk about some of the assumptions and judgements that people make about autistic and neurodivergent people and how this impacts the way you can be treated in work and education. We also explore how we can be more understanding, accommodating and compassionate towards people who are neurodivergent, and the positive steps that can take place in Education but not always within the workplace. Both our guests give first hand positive experiences and talk through how they felt when they were formally diagnosed as neurodivergent.

About Chris Bonello

Chris Bonello is an autistic advocate, award winning writer and international speaker, also a novelist and special needs tutor. In 2015, he launched Autistic Not Weird, to share his insights from both a personal and professional perspective.

About Justine Baylis

Justine Baylis is a recent graduate from the University of Arts London, where she studied fashion, PR and communications. She's passionate about advocating for neurodivergent individuals and her final year project was dedicated to this part of her identity, centred around her own business idea to better support Neurodivergent staff.

About Justin Smith-Essex

Justin is the Group MD of Squaricle Group & the founder of ted Learning. He specialises in designing and delivering training in customer service, equality and diversity, management fundamentals, team building & presentation skills. He is passionate about engaging learning and using drama to put people on the receiving end of an experience.

https://www.tedlearning.co.uk

In the latest of our series on lived experiences and to celebrate Black History Month, Justin from ted Learning speaks to Dani Moseley and Leon Wander, two black actors, who work for ted Learning.

We discuss their lived experiences growing up black in the UK, and what Black History Month means to them. We hear first hand some of the challenges they have faced and overcome and why there is still work to be done to create a truly inclusive culture within the UK

About Dani Moseley

Dani Moseley recently starred in the BBC/Showtime comedy series, Dreaming Whilst Black and is due to appear soon in the hit C4 Comedy Big Boys and is a highly talented and versatile actor in both tv, film and theatre. She is also one of the lead script writers at ted Learning.

About Leon Wander

Leon Wander has been an actor writer and director for over 15 years, and is very involved in immersive theatre and also works extensively with young people from under-represented groups.

About Justin Smith-Essex

Justin is the Group MD of Squaricle Group & the founder of ted Learning. He specialises in designing and delivering training in customer service, equality and diversity, management fundamentals, team building & presentation skills. He is passionate about engaging learning and using drama to put people on the receiving end of an experience.

https://www.tedlearning.co.uk