Stellar speaker line-up revealed for the Black in Sport Summit (VIDEO)

Elite-level athletes, international broadcasters, and inspirational individuals from the black community are among the speakers confirmed for the 2023 Black in Sport Summit (BISS).

This year’s event, to be held at the London Stadium on Saturday 25 March 2023, will welcome some of the highest profile names in the sport industry as BISS tackles discrimination and underrepresentation of black people in sport.

The speakers include:

  • Mike Wedderburn (Sky Sports presenter and Board Member at Loughborough University)
  • Anita Abayomi (football journalist and co-host of Goal Diggers Podcast)
  • Leon Mann (interviewer, filmmaker, and founder of the Football Black List and the Black Collective of Media in Sport (BCOMS))
  • Carina White – (Account Director, broadcaster, cultural commentator, keynote speaker, BCOMS board member, and founding member of NSPCC’s Childline Circle)
  • Imani-Lara Lansiquot (Team GB sprinter)
  • Lutalo Muhammad (Team GB Taekwondo athlete)
  • Christian Scotland-Williamson (former professional NFL and rugby union player, and talkSPORT broadcaster)
  • Courtney Sweetman-Kirk (professional footballer at Sheffield United FC)
  • Lloyd Grose – (member of British Cycling's External Advisory Board)

BISS was set up by co-founders Ladi Ogunmekan, Samuel Ola and Emmanuel Shittu in 2022, and after a hugely successful first year it was recently announced that Sky, Europe's leading media and entertainment company, has pledged its support to the 2023 event.

The action-packed day will include panel discussions and in-depth talks on issues facing black people in sport.

Ladi Ogunmekan, said: “The Black in Sport Summit is dedicated to bridging the gap between opportunity and success for black athletes and industry professionals.

“This year's line-up of speakers is a testament to our commitment and showcases the immense talent, drive, and passion of black leaders in the sports world. Their voices will inspire and empower future generations. This is just the beginning of what promises to be an inspiring and transformative event.”

Mike Wedderburn, Sky Sports News presenter, said: “We have a wonderful line-up – top footballers, Olympic medallists, decorated written and broadcast journalists, chief executives, and many more. It’s a chance to celebrate success and see what it takes to get to the very top – it is open to all.”

Jo Simpson, Commercial and Facilities Director for Loughborough Sport, said: “What was achieved through the Black in Sport Summit last year was ground-breaking. The profile of the speakers announced for 2023 highlights how far-reaching and impactful the first event was.    

“I am immensely proud to see the growth of this event and the support from Sky to amplify the inspirational, passionate, and thought-provoking work done by the Loughborough students behind the Summit.”

Anita Abayomi said: “We have some great speakers and hosts lined up, providing invaluable benefits for BISS 2023 attendees. In fact, with the calibre of speakers, we can expect not only an educational event, but an empowering one too. Hopefully, the next generation of young black talent in sport will have many gems to take away.”

As excitement builds for BISS 2023, more headline speakers will be announced in the coming days and weeks. To keep across the latest news, follow BISS’s social media channels: Instagram, LinkedIn & TikTok: @blackinsport / Twitter: @blackinsport_

Tickets for BISS 2023 are now available to purchase. To find out more and to secure your ticket, visit: https://msha.ke/blackinsport

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 23/21

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2022 QS World University Rankings – the sixth year running – and University of the Year for Sport by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022.

Loughborough is ranked 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2023, 10th in the Guardian University League Table 2023 and 11th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’, and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes

The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

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