Rewriting Who Gets the Mic in Fintech

I'll never forget attending my first fintech event and being able to count the number of people who looked like me on one hand.

We've come a long way since then. The ecosystem is more global, connected, and ambitious than ever. And I'm here for it. But even now, many stages still don't reflect the full breadth of people fintech is building for.

Too often, the same voices are platformed, while others with lived experience, different market perspectives, and equally strong expertise are overlooked.

That's why we've launched the Black in Fintech Speaker Directory — a curated platform designed to make it easier for companies, conferences, and institutions to access a broader, more representative pool of voices across fintech.

Fintech is Global — Our Voices Should Be Too

The reality is that fintech is no longer a local story. It is inherently global, spanning across all continents. It connects communities, enables cross-border trade, and is increasingly shaped by emerging markets.

As fintech builds bridges between countries, currencies, and communities, the voices shaping those conversations must reflect that same diversity of experience across geography, culture, and lived reality.

Why This Matters (Beyond Representation)

Beyond representation, this is about conversations that inspire better products and outcomes.

There's a well-established idea in psychology that people engage more deeply when they feel a sense of belonging. You see this play out clearly at events.

When audiences see themselves reflected on stage:

• they're more engaged
• they're more open to the message
• and the conversation feels relevant

Humans aren't wired to just absorb information — they connect with who it's coming from.

The first time I fully understood crypto was when someone who looked like me explained it in terms that made sense to me, grounded in real-life context.

That moment stuck with me. Not because the concept was new, but because the translation was different — and that's the power of representation. Not only does it inspire, but it unlocks understanding.

What We're Building

The Black in Fintech Speaker Directory is our step towards changing that.

This first version is intentionally curated (an MVP, if you'd call it that) of speakers who:

• are actively building across fintech
• bring both professional expertise and lived experience
• and have been validated through our community, events, and trusted recommendations

The list is currently UK-led, with representation across Africa and the US — and it will continue to grow as we expand our platform, partnerships, and reach.

A Better Standard for the Industry

Better representation isn't a nice-to-have. It raises the standard of the entire ecosystem.

• Panels become more dynamic
• Insights become more nuanced
• Audiences become more engaged
• And ultimately, the industry becomes more aligned with the people it serves

Because fintech, at its core, is about people. And the people shaping it should reflect that.

If we're serious about rewriting the rules of money, we need to rewrite who holds the mic.

As we approach UK Fintech Week and a packed global conference calendar, there's an opportunity to be more intentional about who we platform.

Special thanks to Chantal Swainston, Founder of The Heard, the women in fintech spokesperson index for your support and inspiring this.