The workplace can be daunting for Black workers who face biases and are often too familiar with the term ‘having to work twice as hard’ to get ahead. These biases and a general lack of diversity in the finance sector compelled Kike Oniwinde to create the BYP Network, a platform connecting Black young professionals to one another and to global firms. The company which was founded in 2016, by the ex-Great Britain javelin thrower, raised over £1m in funds, amassed 1,200 investors and is currently valued at £10m. Oniwinde’s remarkable journey, which she attributes to hard work and networking, has seen the entrepreneur named on the Forbes 30 under 30 list of young leaders within technology in Europe; the Financial Times top 100 leaders in tech; the Maserati top 100 most innovative founders and one of the UK’s top 25 Black entrepreneurs to watch in 2021 by HSBC & UK Black Business Show. Oniwinde, 28, doesn’t plan on slowing down and tells AMAKA her next challenge is to change the Black narrative through media. 

While developing professional relationships can be the difference between career failure and success, Black employees can often feel alienated both in the workplace and when networking—something that BYP Network works to tackle. Since its inception, the platform has grown to over 50,000 members across the UK, US, Nigeria, Ghana, France and Germany. But that’s not all. Its external job board posts over 300 vacancies every month and works with over 600 companies, including Facebook, Mi5, Burberry, Sainsbury’s, DAZN, Sony Music, PwC, Zurich and Goldman Sachs. Members also have access to upskilling webinars delivered mainly by Black staff. We spoke with Onwinde about her vision for BYP as it grows and her hopes for Black professionals.

AMAKA: BYP aims to “change the Black narrative.” What does this mean for Black women and how has it helped to strategically position them for entry level and corporate success?

Kike Oniwinde: Although BYP is for all Black professionals regardless of gender, we do have a higher female percentage at around 55 percent. As a Black female founder, I knew the importance of connecting for visibility. I’m also aware we need more role models. There aren’t many Black women in senior positions we can look up to except for the chair of John Lewis Partnership, Dame Sharon White, so it all goes back to representation. BYP works to get more Black women into better corporate positions, especially those at entry and mid-level. We take great care to have a diverse line-up for our leadership conferences, and they have been vital for visibility. We have Black senior women on our panels discussing how to navigate careers, climb the ladder and negotiate a pay rise. These connections help them strategically upskill, know what’s possible and feel confident in achieving their goals. 

Networking and finding sponsorships are important tools that can help ascend careers. How can women utilise this to level the playing field? 

I’m sure we’ve heard the phrases “your network is your net worth” and “it’s not important who you know but who knows you.” Networking helps you get seen and be known, it’s like a form of marketing, if you think about it, and we’re all about six degrees away from someone like Barack Obama. For me, the key thing is to be authentic and genuine. It's best to network with no other intention than getting to know someone or focusing on how you can help them as opposed to what they can do for you. I rely on serendipity for the rest. Once you build relationships, they can recommend or connect you with others, and this is how your name is spread in rooms you are not in. This is similar for sponsorships, so it’s vital that you leave a good impression as it can lead to new business.

How can women collaborate to break barriers? Are there innovative ways to build networks? 

Technology opened the doors to networking across oceans. This is especially true for apps like LinkedIn and Twitter, where you can engage with professionals without it coming across as strange. Being active on Twitter helped us with crowdfunding—we raised $1m via Seedrs. Social media can be good and bad but it’s a useful tool to share your experiences online and connect. I remember, Clubhouse was at one point the place where everyone was meeting people from different countries. Facebook groups are another innovative way to meet female peers. There are many women’s networks within and outside of firms like BYP, and while most times it's either a women’s network or Black network, you’ll find Black women within both, so that intersection is very important. 

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Black women face many struggles and stereotypes in the workplace. What is your advice to young women entering the workforce on how to overcome this? 

My best advice is to not let the fact you are a Black woman be an obstacle. Black women shouldn’t feed into stereotypes or opinions about their hair. Don’t go into an organisation already on the backfoot. If you go in with that anxiety and imposter syndrome you are already many steps behind despite the fact, we have to work extra hard to even be in the room. Go in there knowing that your blackness is your superpower. This is your chance to stand out, learn, and grow, especially if you are the only Black person in an organisation. Let them see you and have a good impression of you. This doesn’t mean that you have to carry the weight of race on your shoulders. Work hard, be professional, deliver, show up on time, be courteous and also network, be friendly and meet new people to elevate your career. 

What do you think has been the impact of BYP and how are you leveraging your platform to create change? 

I wanted to change the narrative so we can create our own solutions as a community through connectivity and economic empowerment. It’s a journey, and I’m aware that BYP alone cannot be the solution to tackle structural racism and biases. It’s a two-faced coin. Companies need to hire us, but as a community we also have to help ourselves and elevate each other. We can create real change because global businesses are coming to us for D&I strategies and how to attract and retain talent. Our job board is a testament they are looking, and our input has led to many success stories. For instance, Deloitte created a Black network after their Black employees met and enjoyed our leadership conference, so we are part of their founding story. Goldman Sachs hired two members after hosting a webinar, and a member changed professions as a teacher to a UI/UX designer after attending a BYP event focused on tech. We also doubled down on digital events and online upskilling webinars during the pandemic. We’ve done around 40 webinars with our partners and upskilled over 6,000 professionals, covering topics like how to get a job in marketing, accelerating your career, having a growth mindset and how to approach leadership. We connected around 200 people through our mentorship schemes. We raised £30,000 to support at risk and Black key workers through our Covid-19 fundraiser and N329,406 through our #EndSars initiative, allowing us to provide Nigerian youths with crucial mobile data, mental help support, food allowances, professional connections and job opportunities.

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"My best advice is to not let the fact you are a Black woman be an obstacle."

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Having found a social professional network, what has been your experience competing in the tech industry with the likes of LinkedIn?

People often describe us as a ‘Black LinkedIn’, but I don’t see BYP as a direct competitor of LinkedIn, which is a great platform in its own right. BYP still exists even without a tech platform. We are a community that focuses on connection, role model visibility and amplifying of opportunities and talent.

How has your background shaped your experience as an entrepreneur?

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial background. I started a clothing line when I was 18 with my best friend called Kiwi & Yam, although I’m no longer involved with it. I just don’t think I considered entrepreneurship as a career; I was focussed on banking. My financial background helped because I lived the experience of the problem I’m trying to solve. I was often the only Black person on the floor at banks, and this heightened my imposter syndrome and feeling like ‘other’ as Black people were mainly security guards and cleaners. Sports have taught me discipline and hard work. As an athlete you're used to failure and you’re always looking for that one win. This is useful because in business you take losses every day, but you have to be resilient and keep going.

What can we expect next from you and BYP?

 I want to continue living a life full of service. I plan to scale BYP and focus on changing the Black narrative through media. I’m looking at making a film to amplify the BYP community and Black people’s representation in the workplace. We also want to focus on working with local businesses outside of London to attract talent and we are currently tackling this issue through BYP Ambassador.