Sport leaders converge at London Stadium to deliver Black in Sport Summit 2023 (VIDEO) | Sport

The BISS team. Image: Flynn Duggan.

The sold-out event – supported by Europe’s leading media and entertainment company Sky – took place at the legendary London Stadium in Stratford and brought together some of the most successful black athletes to inspire and influence delegates.

The action-packed agenda, co-moderated by Sky Sports News presenter and Loughborough University board member Mike Wedderburn, included panel discussions and exclusive interviews addressing discrimination and under-representation of black people in sport.

Former Premier League footballer Anton Ferdinand started the proceedings and delivered a hard-hitting speech that highlighted the problems of racism in football. Anton also spoke about his own personal experience of racist attacks while playing professionally.

Speaking in a pre-taped exclusive interview, seven-time Formula 1 title winner Lewis Hamilton explained how he is committed to creating opportunity through non-profit charity Mission 44 – an organization that helps young people get a better education.

Former Premier League defender Anton Ferdinand. Image: Flynn Duggan.

In the next session, undefeated professional boxer Richard Riakporhe joined Hackney Wick FC CEO Bobby Kasanga to explain how to turn adversity into opportunity, with both guests drawing on personal challenges from past lives.

The panel discussion that followed included Leon Mann (interviewer, filmmaker and founder of the Football Black List and the Black Collective of Media in Sport (BCOMS)), Tony Burnett (CEO of Kick It Out), Lloyd Grose (Member of the External Advisory Board of British Cycling), Darren Lewis (Assistant Editor at Daily Mirror) and Ama Agbeze MBE (England Netball International).

Journalist Anita Abayomi addresses the crowd. Image: Flynn Duggan

Throughout the day, delegates had the opportunity to network with established sports professionals. This included the Employer Challenge segment, which allowed individuals to speak directly to industry professionals.

Moderator Carina White led a discussion on the importance of allies and advocacy in the sports business, while the day’s concluding panel discussion, featuring top athletes Lutalo Muhammad, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Christian Scotland-Williamson and Alice Dearing, put a special emphasis on the impact of representation black athletes and activism for social justice in sport.

After the event, Ladi Ogunmekan, Co-Founder of BISS said: “BISS 2023 was just amazing. Thank you to the incredible hosts, speakers and delegates for contributing to an exciting and insightful day.

“From heartfelt stories to priceless gems and impassioned calls to action, our London Stadium audience received the complete package. In 2022, BIS aims to celebrate the achievements of Black people in sport and inspire the next generation of sports industry leaders. Our 2023 Summit shows how far we’ve come, and we don’t stop there – keep growing the community.

A‌lice Dearing shared her expertise. Image: Flynn Duggan

Jo Simpson, Commercial and Facilities Director at Loughborough Sport said: “The Black in Sport Summit was a monumental day for everyone involved.

“The committee behind BISS demonstrated the power of the student voice to bring established sports leaders together to address the very real problem of black discrimination in the industry.

“London Stadium was the perfect place to launch a movement with tangible benefits. The hosts, speakers, panelists and delegates were all incredibly engaged as we collectively try to take action and make a difference.

“Everyone should be incredibly proud of this day, but we also understand that this is just the beginning of something much bigger.”

BISS was launched in 2022 by Loughborough students Ladi Ogunmekan, Samuel Ola and Emmanuel Shittu in partnership with the University and Loughborough Sport.

For more information and highlights of the 2023 event, visit BISS social media channels: Instagram, LinkedIn & TikTok: @blackinsport / Twitter: @blackinsport_