Swarzy Macaly’s radio career began after she won a national competition hosted by commercial network KISS to become their new Chosen One presenter. After winning in 2016, Swarzy presented their weekend breakfast show and hosted the BRIT Awards 2019 red carpet, interviewing pop stars Dua Lipa, Anne-Marie, Pink, Stormzy, Lady Leshurr, and comedian Big Narstie.

Swarzy Macaly’s TV Presenting Career

In 2019, Swarzy presented four small programmes for the series, Me vs Climate Change. The first episode, ‘Trainers’, explored the eco-friendly alternatives to buying new fashion trainers. The second, ‘Food’, saw her create a meal that was environmentally friendly but still reasonably priced and delicious. This was followed by ‘Tech’, where Swarzy explored the impact of our personal technology on the planet. The final episode, ‘Home’, saw Swarzy make some room-by-room changes in the hope that she could make her house more environmentally friendly.

Then in 2021, she presented Instagramification, a documentary about the “good, the bad and the ugly of the world’s fastest growing social network”.

As well as her love for music, it was her heartfelt response to the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd that grabbed her listeners and led her to launch KISS’ first-ever speech radio show, KISS Life. The groundbreaking programme aired every Sunday evening and gave Swarzy the platform to engage with her listeners, unpacking everything from the pandemic to politics, culture, identity, money, and mental health. Special guests included Swiss, the founder of Black Pound Day, financial expert Martin Lewis, Grenfell United, and John Barnes. The programme proved to be one of her career highlights, as the series showcased her versatility, demonstrating that she could bring the energy and musical passion needed, combined with her authenticity and warmth.

During the first national lockdown in 2020, Swarzy became the official presenter of My Life My Say’s Quarantine Question Time, and hosted a range of interviews with guests such as Sir Keir Starmer, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, and former White House Chief of Staff and Counsellor to President Obama, John Podesta. In addition to hosting My Life My Say’s annual Common Futures Forum, she became a trustee of the charity and launched its first live chat show, Make It Make Sense.

Diversity Campaigner

Swarzy is the founder of Too Much Source – an annual exhibition with live events dedicated to celebrating black British creatives who are making history today. To mark the third anniversary, the gallery was named ‘Joy and Resilience in 2020’, a dedication to two attributes that remain central to the black experience. As a result of the exhibition’s success, Swarzy has gone on to work with many other brands to host workshops, live events, and panel discussions for Somerset House, The Barbican and SOHO House, to name a few.

Swarzy is a storyteller at heart, and given her interest in sport, it was no surprise that DAZN chose her to present their weekly boxing show, From The Corner, on JOE Media. Her love for sports began when she won the competition to become the official presenter for Midnight Madness, the UK’s biggest summer basketball competition. She has since covered British basketball at home for the BBL and travelled to Quai 54 in Paris, as well as The Reality Check Tournament in Germany, before taking the team to Portugal, where players secured professional contracts. This fueled her passion for presenting grassroots basketball, and she then worked with the community basketball league, interviewing players from the U12 to U25 age groups.

Religion

Swarzy first encountered faith at the age of 14, after a pivotal moment in her life—getting caught shoplifting. In that moment, she prayed for the first time, promising to follow God if given another chance. When the shopkeeper unexpectedly let her go, she began attending a local church youth group, where she discovered a sense of belonging and purpose that would shape her identity and future.

Today, Swarzy’s faith continues to guide both her personal life and professional calling. Known for her warmth, authenticity, and passion for community, she views her work as a form of hospitality—welcoming, uplifting, and giving voice to others. Whether hosting on the radio, leading discussions on culture and identity, or running community initiatives, she brings the same spirit of joy and service that first drew her to her faith, embodying the belief that her platform is both a gift and a responsibility.

Award-winning TV presenter

In 2021, Swarzy won Best Presenter at the UK Entertainment Awards. This followed on from Lord Simon Woolley recognising her for her charisma, passion for young people and social justice, and her work with My Life My Say, and so nominated her to be part of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s list of Black History Month Next Generational Trailblazers 2020.

She is now a sought-after event host, keynote speaker, and moderator.

Speaking Topics

– Current Affairs

– Social Issues

– Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

– Black History Month

– International Women’s Day

– Entertainment and Music

-Religion and Christianity.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book social justice campaigner Swarzy Macaly for your corporate event.

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