Join us every other month at this national virtual Ethnic Minority-led small business event.

Event details

Join us on the last Thursday bi-monthly to network, share, learn and discuss the successes and experiences of being an ethnic minority business owner. 

Hosted by Jason Roberts, Founder and CEO of Kaleida International. 

Hailing from Brixton, South London, after 24 years working in the financial services industry in both banking, and sales, Jason was frequently reminded of his diverse identity. From the lack of representation in boardrooms, to being made aware that his 6’ 5” frame was intimidating, he experienced prejudice, bias and discrimination that impacted opportunities.

In 2021, Jason launched Kaleida International, a fully-inclusive, B2B marketplace for tenders focused on helping buyers find, assess and invite diverse suppliers to tender. A father to two daughters, Jason enjoys golf, long walks and has a passion for yachting.

During the bi-monthly events, you will get a chance to:

  • Hear from a variety of speakers during the ‘In Conversation With’ discussions
  • Network and engage with fellow business owners during breakout room sessions. 
  • Explore how we can support our community moving forward and drive FSB’s Equality Diversity and Inclusion agenda.

This month we will be ‘In Conversation with’ Emily Mitchell, Founder of RiseStrong. 

Emily is a passionate visionary and the driving force behind RiseStrong, an organisation committed to empowering individuals and communities to overcome challenges and achieve personal growth. With a particular drive for helping others achieve resilience and good mental well-being.

She has dedicated her social work career to creating positive impact through innovative solutions and support systems. She is keen to facilitate change through delivering training and learning. Pushing boundaries of systems and breaking down barriers so that people get to achieve a better quality of life and have more sustainable outcomes. 

Emily's journey began with a deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of resilience. Drawing from her own life experiences, she founded RiseStrong to address the unique needs of individuals facing adversity. 

Beyond her role as a business leader, Emily actively engages with the community through partnerships, awareness campaigns, and philanthropic initiatives. Her dedication to creating a positive societal impact is reflected in RiseStrong's outreach programs and collaborations with like-minded organisations.

It doesn’t end there! After the hour you are invited to join us for an optional extra half an hour for our popular and more relaxed 'water cooler' session to give you more of a chance for some extra networking and to get any extra help and support you may need for your business. This session is entirely optional. 

This free FSB virtual event is open to all businesses, and non-members are welcome to attend, bring a friend, colleague or business associate to accompany you, so they too can benefit.

Please view our Privacy Notice.

Our events and activities, including those focused on a specific issue or equality characteristic, are open to all. We encourage shared learning, wider conversations and a collective responsibility to inclusivity through allyship, where marginalised groups are supported by others.

Event Contact

  • For help and support regarding this event, please telephone our dedicated events helpline 01253 336028 or email [email protected]

Further Information

New to virtual networking? Find out more about FSB virtual events and a quick guide to getting started here.

Further information

  • To help ensure things run smoothly, please refer to our Events terms and conditions here.
  • We want all attendees to feel welcome - please read our statement on Diversity and inclusion here.
  • Please view our Privacy Policy here.