Afua Hagan
Award-winning broadcaster and TEDx speaker bringing sharp insight on diversity, media and culture to stages worldwide.
5.00 of 5
Top rated!5 of 5
"We were very happy. Afua did a great job, generating lots of engagement"
Adrian Price
HSBC
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Why book Afua Hagan for your next event
- Award-winning TV and radio presenter featured on ITV, BBC, LBC, Sky and CNN, bringing authority and energy to every stage.
- Powerful TEDx speaker on diversity and inclusion, known for her talk “Too Dark for Daytime TV” and impactful storytelling.
- Experienced moderator and host trusted by brands like HSBC, NHS and Retail Week to lead meaningful, engaging conversations.
Non-binding request for Afua Hagan
TV Presenter, TEDx Speaker & Leading Voice on Diversity
Afua Hagan is an award-winning broadcaster, journalist and TEDx speaker, widely recognised as one of the most prominent voices on diversity in the UK. With a dynamic presence across ITV, BBC, Sky, CNN and leading radio platforms, she brings sharp insight, warmth and authority to every stage. Whether delivering keynote talks, hosting events or moderating discussions, Afua creates conversations that resonate, challenge perspectives and leave lasting impact.
Afua Hagan – Speaker, Presenter and Broadcaster
Afua Hagan is a distinguished, award-winning broadcaster and a leading voice on diversity and inclusion in the UK. As a TV news anchor, presenter, commentator and journalist, she is a familiar face across major networks including ITV, BBC, Sky and CNN. She regularly appears on programmes such as This Morning, Good Morning Britain and Jeremy Vine on Channel 5, where her thoughtful commentary and engaging style make her a standout contributor.
Afua is also a presenter for TalkTV, appearing on The Talk and hosting The Royal Tea, where she shares her expertise as a respected commentator on the British Royal Family. Her insights are featured across both UK and international outlets, further cementing her position as a trusted media voice.
Book Afua Hagan for Your Event
Afua Hagan is a compelling keynote speaker and moderator, known for delivering impactful talks on diversity, inclusion, Black Lives Matter and equality for women. In 2024, she delivered a widely praised TEDx Talk titled “Too Dark for Daytime TV”, which explores representation and bias in media with honesty and clarity.
She is frequently booked by organisations seeking a speaker who can balance authority with authenticity. Her client list includes Retail Week, the NHS, HSBC, Cambridgeshire Police, Compare the Market and Inmarsat. Whether hosting large-scale conferences or leading panel discussions, Afua brings energy, professionalism and depth to every engagement.
A Career Shaped by Media and Storytelling
Afua’s journey into media began when she moved from Glasgow to London at 17 to study journalism at City University. After specialising in broadcast and music, she started her career working on shows such as T4 and PopWorld, before moving on to ITV’s 60 Minute Makeover.
Seeking new creative challenges, she transitioned into music publishing, working for Blue Mountain Music under Chris Blackwell. Her passion for storytelling led her into editorial roles, starting at Blackhair magazine, where she quickly rose from Editorial Assistant to Editor within a year.
She later became Features Editor for Pride Magazine and worked as a Producer and Anchor for Arise News. At ABN TV, she produced and presented Young & Rising and launched Entertainment Weekly. Afua has also supported the music industry, particularly Afrobeats, hosting The A-List on The Beat 103.6FM.
Editorial Leadership and Journalism
Afua is the Managing Editor of Black Business Magazine, a publication dedicated to delivering high-quality, educational and inspirational content. The magazine sits at the forefront of the Black business movement, highlighting trailblazers and sharing insights into the realities of building successful enterprises.
Her editorial experience also includes writing a column for The Voice Newspaper and serving as Editor-in-Chief of Glam Africa Magazine. Across all platforms, Afua brings a strong commitment to storytelling that informs, empowers and amplises underrepresented voices.
Media Presence Across Platforms
In addition to television, Afua is a regular voice on radio, appearing on LBC, Times Radio, talkRADIO, STV and Yanga! TV. Her contributions span news, culture, politics and royal commentary, making her a versatile and in-demand media personality.
Her work in broadcasting has been recognised with honours from the Black Women in Business Awards, reflecting both her influence and dedication to the industry.
A Speaker Who Connects and Inspires
Afua Hagan brings more than media experience to the stage—she brings perspective, lived experience and the ability to engage diverse audiences. Her talks are insightful, relevant and grounded in real-world understanding, making her a strong choice for organisations looking to spark meaningful dialogue.
Based in London, Afua balances her professional life with family time, often enjoying creating dance routines with her daughter, indulging in manicures and reading crime novels. This balance of professionalism and personality is part of what makes her such a relatable and effective speaker.
Booking Afua Hagan means bringing a powerful voice, an experienced broadcaster and a skilled communicator to your event—someone who informs, engages and leaves audiences thinking long after the conversation ends.
Customer Reviews
5 of 5
"We were very happy. Afua did a great job, generating lots of engagement"
Adrian Price HSBC
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
Thank you Afua for joining the panel discussion yesterday at London Metropolitan University. You were amazingly humorous and gave brilliant tips on resilience in the media industry as a beautiful black woman! Thanks so much for your contribution making the occasion a high level memorable event!
Anna Njie Go Africa Community Hub CIC
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
We are extremely happy with everything; Afua’s talk was informative and engaging. She captivated the audience throughout and it was an absolute pleasure to host her.
Irene Bamgboye Lidl
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
Thank you so much for speaking at Black Maternal Health Conference UK yesterday - wow, you were fantastic! Your presentation was truly inspiring and provided us with a wealth of knowledge that we can use in our future endeavors. Of course, your enthusiasm for Black Maternal Health and equity for Black mothers was contagious, and everyone in attendance was captivated by your words. We are so grateful for your time and effort, and we look forward to continuing to work with you in the future. Once again, thank you for making our conference such a success.
Sandra Igwe Founder & CEO of The Motherhood Group
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
Thank you for the inspiring talk with Inmarsat! As a first generation British Indian, I was able to draw parallels to the experiences and challenges you faced and was truly inspired to hear how you overcome and face them.
Fiona D’Sa
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
Very insightful and thought-provoking! Eye-opening, enlightening talk - thank you.
CMR Surgical
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
Afua, thank you so much again for taking the time to do the talk today. It was super useful for me in HR but also the whole team has been singing your praises on how great and insightful it was.
Stint
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
Afua Hagan is a warm and generous person who speaks on equality and inclusion with knowledge<br>and authority. She has a great ability to engage with audiences both in a formal and informal<br>setting and her contribution was greatly appreciated by Festival attendees.
Andrew Webb Malvern Festival of Ideas
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
Afua, thank you for facilitating the discussion. You are incredible at what you do. I was in<br>awe at your curiosity. composure and beautiful energy.
Kayeligh Fazan Founder, The International Retail Academy
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
Afua is a passionate and energetic journalist who works tirelessly to give a voice to those who<br>would otherwise not be heard. Her dedication to the cause of fair and impartial reporting is<br>exemplary. Her burning desire for inequality and social injustice to be highlighted across the<br>spectrum is extraordinary. And she has succeeded in getting all those issues heard on a wide<br>range of platforms with her intelligent, well-informed and brilliantly articulated contributions. A wonderful colleague and an inspiration to us all.
Tom Fredericks Programme Editor, ARISE News
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
It’s rare that you come across such a standout talent as Afua. She often contributes to topics on<br>shows across talkRADIO and has a reputation for being reliable, outspoken and a brilliant<br>broadcaster. She has a thorough, eloquent and often feisty approach which is why she is so<br>sought after. It’s always a pleasure to have her on the station.
Holly Keogh Producer talkRADIO
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
Please can you pass on our thanks to Afua for such an inspirational and educational talk. I personally<br>haven't stopped thinking about it and have had such good feedback from everyone.
Emily Ashton Kärcher
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
Afua’s stories and experiences come from the heart and really hit home - how we all have a<br>responsibility around racial equality as everyone deserves to be who they are.
Caroline Thomas Director of HR, B&Q
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
We were extremely happy with Afua and the presentation she gave. The flow of the presentation<br>was great and weaving in BHM history was also very informative.
Pauline Phillips Syngenta
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
Afua, it was brilliant to hear your stories and experiences and to learn and understand more about<br>Black History. Thank you again. Your talk helped to open minds.
Rachel Power Head of Internal Comms at IQ Student Accommodation
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
Afua’s talk was great. The audience really appreciated her openness to share her experiences and<br>we had some excellent questions. Afua answered them brilliantly.
Agatha Kennedy WildBrain
Afua Hagan
5 of 5
I just wanted to drop a quick note to say how fabulous Afua was. She really brought a fresh<br>perspective, energy and positivity to the session.
Harprit Hockley NHS England
Afua Hagan
Rated 5.00/5 based on 17 customer reviews
Keynotes
Keynote topics by Afua Hagan:
My personal journey
In this talk Afua will let you into her personal journey as a broadcaster and journalist and the impact the events of 2020 had on her career. On a really personal level it was tough, being a Black woman living in a world that seemed to hate Black people. What happened afterwards, was also tough.
It was great to be offered platforms to speak about what happened and what she felt should happen next in terms of talking issues of diversity and inclusion in the UK. But Afua often felt like a token. And she often wondered to herself, is she on this channel because she's a Black, dark-skinned female journalist who can talk about race and ticks a box or is she on this channel simply because She's a good journalist?
Afua still has those questions today. Lots of companies came out to support the idea of Diversity and Inclusion in those days and weeks after the death of George Floyd. They rightly recognised the need for change. But it’s much more than – let’s hire more Black folks! It’s not just inviting Black people to have a seat at the table, but asking them to be part of the decision-making team on who’s at the table in the first place. That’s real inclusivity.
You might have a lovely working culture and a great office environment but are you truly inclusive? Do you have Black people in the upper echelons of the organisation making decisions?
It was great to be offered platforms to speak about what happened and what she felt should happen next in terms of talking issues of diversity and inclusion in the UK. But Afua often felt like a token. And she often wondered to herself, is she on this channel because she's a Black, dark-skinned female journalist who can talk about race and ticks a box or is she on this channel simply because She's a good journalist?
Afua still has those questions today. Lots of companies came out to support the idea of Diversity and Inclusion in those days and weeks after the death of George Floyd. They rightly recognised the need for change. But it’s much more than – let’s hire more Black folks! It’s not just inviting Black people to have a seat at the table, but asking them to be part of the decision-making team on who’s at the table in the first place. That’s real inclusivity.
You might have a lovely working culture and a great office environment but are you truly inclusive? Do you have Black people in the upper echelons of the organisation making decisions?
Keynote topics by Afua Hagan:
Race, Ethnicity & Culture
In this talk Afua looks at the difference between race, ethnicity and culture and how that affects the way that we interact with people. Now, you would be forgiven for thinking that race and ethnicity and more or less the same thing. But they actually mean very different things.
We sometimes use the words culture, ethnicity and race interchangeably, and whilst there is some overlap between the terms, it’s important to know the differences between them, and to use them correctly.
When you distinguish what separates race from culture and ethnicity, it becomes apparent that racism, apart from being hurtful, just doesn’t make sense. Both race and ethnicity, it's argued, are socially defined. Neither is biologically valid.
But even more than that, when we examine the genetics of different racial groups, there’s more genetic difference within any one racial group compared to the average between them, and yet amongst all of us, we are so remarkably similar (99.9% alike in fact). Yes, there may be some value in grouping people into racial groups, but at the end of the day, we have much more in common with each other than we don’t.
We sometimes use the words culture, ethnicity and race interchangeably, and whilst there is some overlap between the terms, it’s important to know the differences between them, and to use them correctly.
When you distinguish what separates race from culture and ethnicity, it becomes apparent that racism, apart from being hurtful, just doesn’t make sense. Both race and ethnicity, it's argued, are socially defined. Neither is biologically valid.
But even more than that, when we examine the genetics of different racial groups, there’s more genetic difference within any one racial group compared to the average between them, and yet amongst all of us, we are so remarkably similar (99.9% alike in fact). Yes, there may be some value in grouping people into racial groups, but at the end of the day, we have much more in common with each other than we don’t.
Keynote topics by Afua Hagan:
Inclusivity in the workplace
In this talk Afua will outline how workplace diversity is currently a very hot topic amongst businesses right now – even more so since 2020.
The modern workplace considers workplace diversity a crucial element of success and happiness in the office and are advocates for social improvements. Building a diverse workforce can be a challenge for some businesses, but there are solutions to create a sense of harmony and unity among different people and teams.
Organizations should aim for inherent and acquired diversity. Inherent diversity is biological traits such as race, gender, and sexual orientation, while acquired diversity is things you gain from experience like religion, cultural experiences, and situations that make an impact on your thought-process.
The benefits of workplace diversity greatly outweigh the barriers you may have to cross to get there. There are many benefits to workplace diversity, and many studies that prove the positive impact that diversity will have on your office.
The modern workplace considers workplace diversity a crucial element of success and happiness in the office and are advocates for social improvements. Building a diverse workforce can be a challenge for some businesses, but there are solutions to create a sense of harmony and unity among different people and teams.
Organizations should aim for inherent and acquired diversity. Inherent diversity is biological traits such as race, gender, and sexual orientation, while acquired diversity is things you gain from experience like religion, cultural experiences, and situations that make an impact on your thought-process.
The benefits of workplace diversity greatly outweigh the barriers you may have to cross to get there. There are many benefits to workplace diversity, and many studies that prove the positive impact that diversity will have on your office.
Keynote topics by Afua Hagan:
On effective communication to bring about real change
In this talk Afua will emphasize that it’s really important to communicate it to someone when you don’t agree with them or they will think you are aligned with their racist beliefs. Have the courage to challenge them on this.
Effective communication is key here. The journey towards communicating better starts with us honestly regarding ourselves. It’s easy to think that all the problems of the world, when it comes to bias are external but we can and must seek out the propensity of injustice that lurks inside us and work towards eradicating it.
This is not about beating ourselves up over things we may have said or thought and then becoming stuck in a virtuous cycle of guilt. It’s about admitting that we have to make changes. We have to consider how our own prejudices prevent us from acting justly and fairly. We cannot address biases until we admit we have them ourselves.
Effective communication is key here. The journey towards communicating better starts with us honestly regarding ourselves. It’s easy to think that all the problems of the world, when it comes to bias are external but we can and must seek out the propensity of injustice that lurks inside us and work towards eradicating it.
This is not about beating ourselves up over things we may have said or thought and then becoming stuck in a virtuous cycle of guilt. It’s about admitting that we have to make changes. We have to consider how our own prejudices prevent us from acting justly and fairly. We cannot address biases until we admit we have them ourselves.
Keynote topics by Afua Hagan:
Social Mobility
Social mobility is a concept that holds immense importance in today's society. In this talk Afua will talk about how social mobility promotes a fair and just society, where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed and improve their quality of life. It encourages individuals to work hard, acquire skills, and pursue education, as these factors play a crucial role in determining one's social mobility.
In a society that values social mobility, individuals are motivated to strive for success and make positive changes in their lives. They are encouraged to dream big and believe in their potential, knowing that their efforts will be rewarded. The belief in upward social mobility instills a sense of hope and optimism among people, creating a society where everyone has a chance to achieve their goals and aspirations.
Moreover, social mobility promotes diversity and equal representation in various sectors of society. When individuals from different backgrounds have the opportunity to move up the social ladder, it leads to a more inclusive society. Different perspectives and experiences contribute to innovation, creativity, and overall societal progress. Social mobility ensures that talent and potential are not limited by one's socioeconomic status or background but are recognized and nurtured.
Furthermore, social mobility has a positive impact on the economy of a country. When individuals have access to opportunities for upward mobility, they are more likely to earn higher incomes and contribute to economic growth. Increased social mobility leads to a more productive workforce, as people are motivated to acquire skills and education that align with the demands of the labor market.
This, in turn, fosters economic development and reduces income inequality.
In conclusion, social mobility is a powerful concept that encourages individuals to strive for success and make positive changes in their lives. It promotes equality of opportunity, diversity, and economic growth. By valuing social mobility, we can create a society where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential and contribute to a better future.
In a society that values social mobility, individuals are motivated to strive for success and make positive changes in their lives. They are encouraged to dream big and believe in their potential, knowing that their efforts will be rewarded. The belief in upward social mobility instills a sense of hope and optimism among people, creating a society where everyone has a chance to achieve their goals and aspirations.
Moreover, social mobility promotes diversity and equal representation in various sectors of society. When individuals from different backgrounds have the opportunity to move up the social ladder, it leads to a more inclusive society. Different perspectives and experiences contribute to innovation, creativity, and overall societal progress. Social mobility ensures that talent and potential are not limited by one's socioeconomic status or background but are recognized and nurtured.
Furthermore, social mobility has a positive impact on the economy of a country. When individuals have access to opportunities for upward mobility, they are more likely to earn higher incomes and contribute to economic growth. Increased social mobility leads to a more productive workforce, as people are motivated to acquire skills and education that align with the demands of the labor market.
This, in turn, fosters economic development and reduces income inequality.
In conclusion, social mobility is a powerful concept that encourages individuals to strive for success and make positive changes in their lives. It promotes equality of opportunity, diversity, and economic growth. By valuing social mobility, we can create a society where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential and contribute to a better future.
Too dark for daytime TV | Afua Hagan | TEDxKingstonUponThames
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The Economy in 2023 Where Do We Go From Here - Afua Hagan
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Afua Hagan - Envision
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Social Mobility and the New Way of talking about Diversity - Afua Hagan
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