The Anti-Racist Organization

5The Four‐Factor RACE Model

Our executive leaders live in white issues, ‘none of this applies to me’, ‘where I live racism isn't an issue’, etc. How do I break that stuff down without breaking people down?

Client, 2021

At the time of writing, only four Fortune 500 CEOs are Black. In the UK, there are no Black chairpeople, CEOs or CFOs in any of our top 100 largest companies as represented by the FTSE 100.

When diversity and inclusion statements are being compiled, the self‐congratulatory note about what has been achieved so far should be taken with a grain of salt.

Whether or not we want to admit it, there is an assumption that senior Black executives do not have the skillset, the intellectual capability or the leadership ability to reach the highest corridors of power in the business world. The over‐indexing on Black leadership development programmes is testament to that.

With the exception of diversity and inclusion roles (and even then, one could argue these roles have very little true influence and power to effect change), there is a reticence about putting Black people in senior roles that have real influence, power or substantive P&Ls to look after.

We're told we all have the same twenty‐four hours in a day, and that if you work hard and apply yourself, those senior executive roles are yours for the taking. So, what do we do? We work even harder, feeling a drive to overperform and demonstrate a willingness and readiness to progress. We say yes to additional unpaid work ...