A new paradigm in black leadership

The Model Black

  • Desray Shuck, Head of Technical Learning, Anglo American

    “A practical guide that will transform all of us courageous enough to meaningfully explore our differences.”

A new paradigm in black leadership

The Model Black: How Black British Leaders Succeed in Organisations and Why It Matters explores how Black professionals navigate leadership in environments where they are often underrepresented. Through candid interviews and grounded analysis, I share stories that challenge assumptions and invite us all to rethink what inclusion means in practice.

This book is both a resource and a catalyst. It offers practical insights for individuals and organisations seeking to lead more inclusively, with a particular focus on race and ethnicity in the UK workplace

Why I Wrote This Book

“As a Black woman who has trained senior leaders for more than 20 years, I’ve always been struck by the lack of people who look like me. I wanted to understand the stories of those who are successful.”

The absence of research into the experiences of Black British leaders led me to conduct my own. I interviewed 30 accomplished leaders to understand how they have navigated the workplace—and what their journeys can teach us all.

The result is a book grounded in lived experience. It speaks to the realities of power, compromise, resilience, and progress, and offers a framework to support more inclusive leadership at all levels.

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What the Book Covers

  • The strategies Black leaders use to succeed in predominantly white workplaces

  • How self-silencing, belonging, and identity shape leadership experiences

  • What organisations can do to support inclusion beyond statements and targets

  • How to open up meaningful conversations about race at work

This book is for anyone seeking to better understand the realities of race and leadership and to contribute to creating a more equitable workplace.

  • Jacky Wright, Chief Digital Officer, Microsoft

    “This book makes great strides in helping decision-makers think again about the nuances of diversity, equity and inclusion in organisations. It contains practical ideas that provide a springboard for a better understanding of the diverse communities on which global organisations rely for their success.”

BUSINESS BOOK AWARDS 2023

“The Model Black” has been shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2023 within the Diversity, Inclusion & Equality category.

The Business Book Awards in partnership with Pathway Group aims to celebrate the breadth, diversity, and quality of business book publishing and has campaigned for diversity and inclusion in the sector since it was founded in 2017.Winners will be announce in May 2023.

“The Model Black” Launch Event

Duke Corporate Education hosted a launch event for The Model Black, to celebrate Black History Month. At this exclusive event, Barbara shared insights from the research and the book in discussion with John Higgins, Author and Researcher. John and Barbara debated the implications of the research and how it can contribute to having more positive experiences and conversations around race.

Ready to Start the Conversation

If you're looking for a thoughtful, grounded entry point into inclusion and leadership, this book offers practical insight and honest storytelling to guide the way.