Available to book
Afua Hagan
Drive meaningful conversations on diversity, inclusion, and social mobility with Afua Hagan, award-winning journalist, TEDx speaker, and experienced host and moderator. Afua delivers insightful talks and has hosted events for organisations including the NHS, HSBC, and Inmarsat, drawing on her journey from Glasgow to the front line of British media.
Afua Hagan is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster, and one of the leading voices on media, race, and social mobility in Britain today.
Currently Royal Commentator for CTV News, Senior International Correspondent for News Central Africa and Managing Editor of Black Business Magazine, Afua is a familiar face on ITV, BBC, Sky News, CNN and NBC. Her 2024 TEDx Talk, "Too Dark for Daytime TV", drew wide attention for its frank examination of race and representation in British media.
Drawing on her own journey from Glasgow to the front lines of international broadcasting, Afua brings lived experience to conversations that many organisations find difficult to start. She has spoken and moderated for organisations including Retail Week, the NHS, HSBC, Compare the Market, Inmarsat, and Cambridgeshire Police. Recognised for her contributions to broadcasting, she has received honours from the Black Women in Business Awards and the Women4Africa Awards. Her journalism background makes her a versatile choice for speaking, event hosting, and moderation.
Afua translates complex questions about class, race, and access into practical guidance that leaders and teams can act on. Audiences leave with a clearer understanding of what genuine inclusion looks like beyond hiring targets, sharper tools for communicating across difference, and a more honest assessment of how background and bias shape opportunity inside their own organisations.
Book Afua to give your audience the insight and honesty needed to move inclusion from policy to practice.
Topics, sessions and talks
Afua Hagan shares her personal journey as a broadcaster and journalist, reflecting on the challenges faced as a Black woman in the aftermath of 2020. She discusses the complexities of being offered platforms for dialogue on diversity and inclusion, often feeling like a token rather than a valued journalist. Hagan emphasises that true inclusivity goes beyond hiring practices; it requires Black voices in decision-making roles. Attendees will learn about the importance of genuine inclusivity in organisations.
In her talk, Afua Hagan explores the distinctions between race, ethnicity, and culture, emphasising their impact on interpersonal interactions. She clarifies that while these terms are often used interchangeably, they have unique meanings. Hagan argues that understanding these differences reveals the irrationality of racism, which is socially constructed rather than biologically valid. Attendees will learn that despite societal classifications, humans share a remarkable genetic similarity, highlighting our commonalities over differences.
Afua Hagan emphasises the growing importance of workplace diversity, especially since 2020. She discusses how a diverse workforce is essential for organisational success and employee satisfaction, while also advocating for social improvements. Hagan distinguishes between inherent diversity, such as race and gender, and acquired diversity, which includes experiences and cultural backgrounds. Attendees will learn about the significant benefits of workplace diversity and effective strategies to foster unity and harmony within their teams.
Afua Hagan explains the importance of communicating disagreement with others to avoid being perceived as complicit in their racist beliefs. She highlights that effective communication begins with self-reflection and recognising our own biases. Rather than succumbing to guilt, attendees will learn to confront their prejudices and understand how these internal biases hinder their ability to act justly. Ultimately, the session aims to empower individuals to initiate meaningful change within themselves and their communities.
Afua Hagan considers the critical role of social mobility in fostering a fair and just society. She highlights how social mobility provides equal opportunities for individuals to succeed, encouraging hard work, skill acquisition, and education. By promoting diversity and representation, social mobility leads to innovation and societal progress. Additionally, it positively impacts the economy by creating a productive workforce and reducing income inequality. Attendees will learn how valuing social mobility can empower individuals and enhance societal growth.
Drawing on her own journey and a journalism career that spans ITV, Sky News, and CNN, Afua Hagan brings a highly compelling perspective to conversations on diversity, inclusion, and social mobility. Charismatic and thought-provoking, she is as strong in a hosted chair or on a panel as she is on stage.
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frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
To book Afua Hagan, email afua.hagan@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Afua's availability and speaking fee. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and about your audience.
Afua Hagan structures her talks around her own career trajectory in British broadcasting, using first-person testimony to ground broader arguments about race, representation, and workplace inclusion in documented professional experience.
Afua Hagan speaks on personal journeys in broadcasting and journalism, race, ethnicity and culture, and workplace diversity and inclusion. She is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster whose credits include Royal Commentator for CTV News, Senior International Correspondent for News Central Africa, and a 2024 TEDx Talk, “Too Dark for Daytime TV”, examining race and representation in British media.
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Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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