Championing Bold Change Tunde Balogun, CEO of CKT Solutions, discusses driving diversity in direct sales, fostering Black leadership, and building equitable workplaces to unlock untapped potential.

Tunde Balogun founded CKT Solutions with a mission: to challenge systemic inequities in direct sales and fundraising by promoting inclusivity and Black representation. Through initiatives like The Black Board and strategic collaboration with businesses, he is not only reshaping industry standards but also creating pathways to equity and innovation. Entrepreneur UK finds out more.

How does CKT Solutions actively promote inclusivity and representation?
CKT Solutions was founded to challenge the norms in direct sales and fundraising, especially regarding diversity. While our industry often includes Black professionals at entry levels, representation fades as you climb the ranks, particularly in senior management and ownership. This imbalance is unacceptable, and we've made it our mission to change this dynamic.

Here's how we're tackling the issue:

• Promoting Black leadership: We advocate for clear, performance-based promotion systems that eliminate subjective biases. When promotion is based on performance metrics rather than discretionary decisions, opportunities become more equitable.

• Collaborating with businesses: We help organisations identify systemic biases and implement strategies to foster genuine inclusivity.

• The Black Board initiative: We've launched this platform to empower Black professionals, creating pathways to senior roles and providing mentorship, accountability, and representation at the highest levels.

Our focus on representation isn't just about fairness, it's about ensuring the best talent is seen, heard, and valued.

How does showcasing Black entrepreneurs and leaders impact future business practices and innovation?
Showcasing Black entrepreneurs is vital for breaking down stereotypes, inspiring change, and reshaping industry standards. Black leadership demonstrates the innovation and excellence that thrives when opportunities are accessible.

By highlighting success stories, we challenge businesses to examine their biases and realize the cost of underrepresentation, not just morally but economically. The absence of diverse leadership stifles innovation and leaves untapped potential on the table.

Moreover, showcasing Black entrepreneurs inspires the next generation of leaders. Visibility is powerful, it creates belief in what's possible and builds momentum for change across industries.

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What strategies can businesses implement to ensure diversity is not just a trend, but a long-term commitment to economic growth?
Long-term diversity requires bold, actionable strategies, including:

• Auditing promotion systems: Businesses must review how people progress through their organisations. Transparent, merit-based systems reduce bias and create fairness.

• Setting measurable diversity goals: Representation at senior levels must be tracked, measured, and prioritised.

• Educating teams on cultural competence: Organisations need to understand and celebrate the differences that make their teams stronger.

• Building accountability frameworks: Partnering with initiatives like the Black Board provides businesses with tools, support, and measurable goals to ensure progress.

Diversity can't be a one-time push or a performative trend. It must be ingrained in an organisation's DNA, with leadership committed to driving and sustaining change.

What role do entrepreneurs play in shaping a more diverse and equitable industry landscape?Entrepreneurs have a unique ability to disrupt the status quo and create the environments they wish to see. They are gatekeepers of opportunity, responsible for recognizing talent and fostering inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.

At CKT Solutions, we view entrepreneurship as a powerful equaliser. By embracing diverse talent and prioritising equity, entrepreneurs can drive progress and innovation while setting an example for the broader industry. A commitment to fairness, representation, and inclusion from business founders can have a transformative ripple effect across sectors.

What steps can business leaders take in 2025 to ensure diverse talent is represented at all levels of their organisations?
In 2025, business leaders must move beyond talk and take decisive action to address systemic inequities. Key steps include:

• Monitoring and measuring diversity: Organisations must track representation at every level and address disparities head-on.

• Creating clear, unbiased promotion pathways: Subjective decisions lead to exclusion. Performance-based criteria must be prioritised to ensure fairness.

• Allocating resources for education: Teams need to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to understand and embrace diversity.

• Engaging in uncomfortable conversations: Real change happens when organisations confront systemic inequities directly.

• Partnering with accountability initiatives: Joining platforms like the Black Board can help businesses stay committed to measurable, actionable goals.

Diversity must be more than a checkbox, it's a competitive advantage and a moral imperative. Business leaders have a responsibility to create systems that prioritise equity and unlock the full potential of their teams.

At CKT Solutions, we are committed to driving this change, not just within our organisation but across industries. The importance of this work cannot be overstated. Representation, equity, and inclusion are the foundation of progress, and we must all take an active role in ensuring these principles are upheld.

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