Raphael Sofoluke

Raphael Sofoluke is an entrepreneur, author, and founder and CEO of UK Black Business Show, UK Black Business Week, Birmingham Black Business Show & Black Tech Achievement Awards. Founded in 2017, UK Black Business Show has been endorsed by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and David Lammy, MP for Tottenham.

Categories: After Dinner Speakers

Price Band C: £5K - £10K

Topics: Adversity, Business, Change, Diversity & Inclusion, Entrepreneurs, Finance & Economics, Leadership

Price Band C: £5K - £10K

About Raphael Sofoluke

Raphael Sofoluke is the visionary Founder and CEO behind The UK Black Business Show and UK Black Business Week. Launched in 2017, The UK Black Business Show is an annual conference and exhibition held during Black History Month. Its mission is to spotlight and promote the exceptional businesses founded by individuals from the black community, showcasing their significant contributions to the economy. Attendees gain invaluable insights and advice on entrepreneurship, leadership, and business from some of the UK’s leading black business professionals.

The 2019 event, marking its third year, was a tremendous success, drawing over 2,500 attendees and featuring 110 businesses from the UK, Europe, US, and Africa. The show has garnered attention on ITV News, BBC Radio London, and received endorsements from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and MP David Lammy.

Raphael has spoken for and been featured on prestigious platforms such as NatWest, BBC, ITV News, Forbes, Mastercard, CBS, Facebook, and BET. He also received a personal invitation to 10 Downing Street during Black History Month. Additionally, Raphael launched the Black Tech Achievement Awards to honor and recognize black innovators and role models in the tech sector, promoting greater black representation within the industry. The inaugural event was sponsored by JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, BT, and Facebook, with BBC News covering the event.

In 2020, Raphael was listed among Forbes’ 25 Leading Black British Business People to Follow. He co-authored the book “Twice as Hard” with his wife, released in June 2021 in the UK and US, published by DK (Penguin Random House). The book shares lessons from 40 black trailblazers and addresses the challenges faced by black individuals in predominantly white spaces, offering practical advice for achieving personal and professional success. Notable interviews include Mathew Knowles, Trevor Nelson MBE, Bianca Miller, Pamela Hutchinson, and Munya Chawawa.

In 2021, Raphael launched the UK Black Business Week, the first dedicated week in the UK for Black Business Owners, Professionals, and Allies of the Black Community. The event attracted sponsorship from JP Morgan, HSBC, American Express, Moody’s, EY, and more.

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Raphael Sofoluke

Price Band C: £5K - £10K

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