Parlour MAVEN: Foluke Akinlose Providing Inspiration to Women and Girls Across the UK

When journalist and social entrepreneur Foluke Akinlose decided to launch the PRECIOUS Awards in 1997, she was prepared to fill a void that had been left for far too long. At the time, there were little to no platforms in the UK celebrating the business accomplishments of women of color, and over the past 15 years, Akinlose has done just that and more. Recognized by British Prime Minister David Cameron and Queen Elizabeth herself, the success of the Awards have led her to launch PRECIOUS Online, a web network and resource for female business owners of color, and most recently PRECIOUS Girls, a project that works with UK schools to inspire and promote entrepreneurship amongst young girls.Akinlose will be among the four esteemed speakers featured at the next I'mPOSSIBLE Conversation in London on December 12, so in true Parlour MAVEN fashion, we talked to her about everything from breaking new ground in the UK to inspiring a new generation of leaders.Parlour: After working in the media industry for so many years, what inspired you to start the PRECIOUS Awards in 1997?  Foluke: I was tired of being invited to so many awards for women in business and never seeing any women of color celebrated. I knew that we were out there, I met them every day in my role as editor of PRECIOUS. I was irritated, then annoyed, then knew I had to do something. I was very specific about the content of the awards, I wanted them to unashamedly celebrate the success of women of color in business and those making an impact in the corporate world. This was not about celebrity, music or sport. It was about toasting success in business and, to be honest, it’s not easy to gain support for that in the UK.Have you noticed particular strives in new opportunities for women of color in the UK since then? The awards have had a definite impact on other so-called ‘mainstream’ awards event, their shortlists more diverse now. Many women who have won a PRECIOUS award go on to even greater things like meeting Prime Ministers, Presidents and getting bigger profiles for their brand. This makes me very happy!Since starting the Awards in 1997, has there been one ceremony that really stands out for you?  The one in November, our original venue pulled the event less than 24 hours before the awards were due to take place. It had never happened before, I was stunned. We had given them a great deal of money towards the event. We had a 2012 Olympian and a woman at the top of her game in corporate life as our guest speakers and the venue just cancelled. I was devastated for our finalists and it was the first time in six years that I wondered whether I could pull it off. Ultimately, this year’s event was held at the five-star Waldorf Hotel in central London. The atmosphere was electric, the staff treated us with such respect and it was probably our best event yet!Are there any women who you have your eye on for future events? Whenever I meet a woman of color in business or in corporate life (or even in the bus or supermarket!) I always make a point of telling them about the awards, why they were launched and why they should enter. Lots of women say, ‘Why me?’ when I encourage them to enter and I always reply 'Why not you?’What inspires you? My family, my mum, my sister. I have two nieces, seven and nine, who spoke with me at the PRECIOUS awards last year. I look at them and remember that when I was their age being a visible woman of color in business was so rare. Because of the PRECIOUS awards they know that being a woman of color in business is a realistic option. They help by packing goody bags, they always want to know who the finalists are and whenever they see a PRECIOUS finalist on the TV, they feel proud.From the positions you've held in your career to your many ancillary PRECIOUS projects, what's your proudest accomplishment? Probably receiving my MBE in 2010, in recognition of launching the first online magazine for women of color in the UK. There is no bigger endorsement that you are doing OK in your professional life than being recognized by the Queen.Please tell me more about PRECIOUS Girls, what schools do you currently work with?Here in the UK, PRECIOUS is proud to partner with [high school] St. Matthew Academy in South East London. It’s a multicultural co-ed school and we work with their pupils, both girls and boys, to inspire and encourage them to see that being a person of color and having your own business is a possibility. I want to make an impact and to show girls and young people in general that if you work hard and focus you really can achieve whatever you want to achieve.The PRECIOUS Girls project runs events giving the pupils access to former awards winners. Our last project ‘What’s PRECIOUS to you?’ asked the girls to design a T-shirt showing what was PRECIOUS to them (i.e. a person, a place, an ideal etc.) and use their skills to get the T-shirts to market. We asked them to draw up a business plan covering where they would sell the t-shirt, how much would it cost to produce and sell, etc. It was a great project and the girls really took it to their hearts and minds.Do you have any plans to further grow the brand in new areas?Yes, absolutely. We have our first PRECIOUS event outside the UK planned for next year, and we are bringing out two more books at the end of 2013. We are looking at expanding the PRECIOUS Girls project too.When not working, what do you do to relax? I love reading, mostly contemporary British novels and magazines. Technology and gadgets in general are a huge passion and I love watching TV soaps and football. I was brought up supporting Manchester United. Taking the time to chill out, eat good food enjoy a glass of Merlot with some good friends is also one of my most valuable treasures.When you began PRECIOUS, did you have any role models or mentors who helped you along the way?I didn’t have any role models or a mentor, I just talked to my dad and mum who were encouraging. The lack of role models, or really the lack of someone who looked like me who was wasn’t in sport or music but was great at entrepreneurship or business was sadly lacking. I now have a coach who is fantastic and I cannot stress the importance of a mentor. I have seen the benefits close hand through fellow entrepreneurs. I've done OK so far, but with the right mentor I could really soar. *On December 12, the sixth I’mPOSSIBLE Conversation will take place at Pearson headquarters in London, UK. As the exclusive digital media partner, we will be running a series of Parlour MAVEN profiles on each of the speakers in the weeks leading up to the event. For more information on how you can attend, visit i-am-possible.com.