As a man of colour who comes from a modest background in South London, James Adeleke defies the odds and redefines the narrative of success for individuals facing systemic barriers and societal expectations.

Behind his remarkable achievements lies a story of determination, hard work, resilience, and unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation.

James graduated from BPP Law School with a 2:1 Bachelor’s degree; whilst he studied he was also a member of the law society, was elected law representative for his year, represented the entire law department at University Senate, and was elected ethics and environmental officer for the students union board of executives.

Prior to his work with Generation Success, James worked for a range of organisations, including Ennon & Co Solicitors as an administrative support intern; UK Parking Control as a business development executive; and as part of the development team at Rise To. He was the founder, manager, and president of the BPP Food and Clothes Drive, was the youngest partner on the international IFPC board, a commissioner on Youth Enterprise Reports for A4e and the National Youth Agency, and sat on the board of advisors for Frisbies, the world’s first creative fast food experience.

JAMES ADELEKE | GENERATION SUCCESS

In 2013, James started working with a small group of friends from university, helping those in need. But it quickly outgrew far beyond his immediate surroundings, and he started to think about tackling the long-lasting stigma of low-income backgrounds in the pursuit of progress. At the heart of his journey lies his unwavering commitment to social mobility, shaped by his background, and experiences with dyslexia and dyspraxia.

Generation Success now connects over 20,000 young people with more than 70 employers, offering early years recruitment advice, graduate schemes and apprenticeship, diversity and inclusion consultancy, and skills-based volunteering programmes. His work is driven by his desire to ensure everyone has equal access to opportunities:

“My greatest achievement is to witness the transformation of individuals who, against all the odds, have become symbols of what is possible when potential is nurtured, not neglected”.

JAMES ADELEKE | AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

– Entrepreneur of Excellence Award at the 2022 National Diversity Awards

– Ones to Watch, Social Entrepreneur Index 2022

– Accelerate Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2021 EY Social Impact Awards

– Finalist at the This Is Us Diversity Impact Business Awards 2023

– Finalist at the SEUK Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Justice Award 2022

– Finalist for the Diversity Champion Award at the Scale-Up Awards 2022

JAMES ADELEKE | SPEAKING

James Adeleke isn’t just a speaker; he’s an advocate for change, a visionary leader, and the driving force behind Generation Success. He tackles sensitive and critical issues like diversity and social mobility. His speeches provoke thought and inspire audiences to take real steps towards transformation.

JAMES ADELEKE | SPEAKING TOPICS

– Diversity and Inclusion Strategies for Optimal Talent Acquisition

– Social Mobility as a Business Imperative

– Empowering Individuals From Marginalised Backgrounds

– Thriving Against Adversity and Leading With Resilience

– Finding the Hidden Ladder to Success: Revealing Your Path to Achievement

– Navigating Unwritten Codes: Deciphering the Secrets of Success

– Becoming South-After Future Professionals

– Finding Annabelle: A Tale of Discovery and Redemption

– Is AI the Magic Bullet? Navigating Complexity With Care

– Setting Your Team for Social Mobility Success

– Empowering Inclusion

– Navigating the Start-up Journey

– Prioritising Mental Wellness in Entrepreneurship

– Navigating Learning Differences

– Unleashing Your Potential

– Thriving Against the Odds: Overcoming Challenges in Business  and Life

– Adaptability in Life and Business

– Goal Setting for the Future

– Lessons From the Trenches: Insights From Experience

– Leadership Lessons From Football: Winning Strategies For Success

– Networking For Success: Building Connections That Count

JAMES ADELEKE | KEYNOTE TALKS

Transforming Lives: The James Story of Impactful Change: James shares his inspiring journey from defying statistics and systemic biases to founding Generation Success. Through determination, resilience, and unwavering belief in the potential of every individuals, James’ story serves as testament to the power of action and the transformative impact of bridging the gap between untapped talent and professional opportunities.

Revolutionising HR: Addressing Diversity for Optimal Talent Acquisition: In this keynote, James emphasises the importance of acknowledging blind sports in conventional recruitment processes, shifting from diversity as a checkbox, to a foundation of talent acquisition strategy and leveraging technology for inclusivity, fostering a culture of belonging to retain diverse talent.

Harnessing Social Mobility: A Compelling Business Imperative: In this speech, James exposes the transformative power of social mobility in the corporate world by highlighting the untapped potential within underprivileged communities, and emphasising the business case for integrating social mobility into corporate strategies.

Breaking Down Invisible Barriers: Empowering Individuals From Low-Income Backgrounds: In a society where poverty often wraps individuals in stigma and silence, this speech elves into the imperative of normalising conversations around poverty. By challenging misconceptions, advocating for visibility, fostering inclusivity, and promoting empowerment through opportunity, James emphasis the collective responsibility in dismantling systemic barriers.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book Diversity Speaker James Adeleke for your next live event.

Contact us.