EPS3 Supporting African & Caribbean Medics & Becoming an Ally with Dr Khadija Owusu

Dr Khadija Owusu is an award-winning Leader, International Speaker and Junior Doctor. She is the Founder of The Like Her Project and Director of Programmes at Melanin Medics. She has been a guest of Michelle Obama at the White House; won the Women in STEM Award by HRH Princess Ann. In addition to this, she is a TEDx Speaker, has spoken at various national and international conferences, and she’s only 26 years old. Khadija is here to share her story and hopefully inspire. KEY TAKEAWAYS Melanin Medics is a non-profit charitable organisation for present and future African and Caribbean doctors. Their focus is on supporting African and Caribbean aspiring medics, medical students and doctors in the UK who have been found to face a number of challenges, such as underrepresentation and socio-economic barriers on their career journeys. Khadija is the Founder of 'Like Her' Ghana. A charitable initiative started in 2021, The Like Her Project, aims to tackle barriers affecting girls' education in Ghana. Encouraging young girls to 'Dream, Think and Work towards being Like ‘Her' - the 'Her' in question being any phenomenal woman the young girl looks up to. Khadija fundamentally believes in amplifying the power and voices of women as well as instilling hope in young girls. With the adequate and equal provision of education, healthcare and security for girls, our nations will not only thrive but the success of future generations will be ensured. People from black and other less privileged backgrounds will have barriers in their way when getting into University, for example, they might not have anyone in their family who has been or anyone to help them actually apply for further education who has done it before. For the second episode in a row, we are finding the challenge of imposter syndrome coming up again when it comes to education and the medical profession. No matter how small an issue or microaggression may seem, it builds up over time and has an effect on our bodies and minds. We need more allies and people from outside our community who will stand up when they see something wrong. BEST MOMENTS ‘I realised this is the kind of positive impact I want to have on other families.' ‘Don’t shut your mind of to pursuing medicine because of your background.’ ‘We noticed a 360-degree shift in attitudes when it came to issues faced by black people.’ ‘Privilege doesn’t just come in the form of what race you are.’ ‘Stand your ground in a respectful manner!’ EPISODE RESOURCES Dr Khadija Owusu Dr Khadija Owusu (@khadijaowusu) • Instagram photos and videos Khadija Owusu (@KhadijaOwusu) / Twitter Melanin Medics ABOUT THE GUEST Dr Khadija Owusu is an award-winning Leader, International Speaker and Junior Doctor. She is the Founder of The Like Her Project (Ghana), Director of Programmes at Melanin Medics, Equality and Diversity Board Member at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, Ambassador at GUBA-Enterprise and Trustee for the charity Raising Futures Kenya. Khadija is a change agent, a voice for thousands of Black and Ethnic minority aspiring medics, medical students and doctors as she works to tackle issues on equality, diversity, and inclusion. She also has special interests in female empowerment and global health; impacting the lives of hundreds of young girls across Ghana, Africa. She has been a guest of Michelle Obama at the White House; won the Women in STEM Award by HRH Princess Ann. In addition to this, she is a TEDx Speaker, has spoken at various national and international conferences, is selected as a 2021 Diana Award Recipient, Top 5 UK Black Student, 2020 Rising Star in Healthcare, and has been featured on BBC, ITV, Channel 5 News and more. PODCAST DESCRIPTION Power in Diversity Podcast is a space where professional women from diverse backgrounds, eager to grow as leaders, come to be inspired and gain wisdom from other leaders. As my guests share their journey, I hope that it will give you; an aspiring or established female leader; meaning to your journey, illuminating your path and equipping you with a greater understanding of how to carve and navigate your success pathway with greater ease. Power in Diversity Podcast is also designed to equip not only individuals but, crucially, organisations who must learn to create diverse and inclusive organisations practically and not merely as a tick box exercise; especially now in this ever-changing world, everyone’s diverse insight is vital to solving world issues. I hope that this podcast allows organisations to appreciate the real barriers female and ethnic minority groups face in stepping into leadership, barriers sadly I and many others have faced, and many continue to face. I’m proud to be British and proud of my African Heritage, my tribe, part of the Benin Empire. I feel blessed to be a woman. This is a non-judgmental space, but a space to learn and to become aware of the gifts and Power in Diversity. ABOUT THE HOST Dr Omo Akoje Okonkwo is a practising Cosmetic Dental Surgeon working in Private Clinics in Surrey. Her passion for empowering her patients and team led her to Transformational coaching to bring about significant change in others. Her many skill sets and ability to motivate people quickly opened leadership roles for her, including Director of Health care Projects and Clinical Lead and Senior Tutor at the prestigious King College Dental Hospital. Along her journey, she faced numerous setbacks despite her passion, academic background and experience. Notwithstanding, her passion for excellence and growth led her to embark on an MBA at the Renowned Warwick Business School. Her desire to empower women steered her to conduct qualitative research exploring Gender, Leadership, and Identity. Her findings revealed what she had always sensed, the leadership labyrinth for female and ethnic minority leaders that exists. It is now Dr Omo’s mission to educate and equip individuals, organisations, and countries on the necessity, mindset, and steps to create inclusion at all levels of society. CONTACT METHOD IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.omo_uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-omo-okonkwo-65b8a542/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omo.okonkwo