Creating accessible opportunities for young people from ethnically diverse backgrounds in sport, physical activity and leadership can be challenging. Many talented young people face systemic barriers and encounter limited representation in the sector which can lead to a lack of participation or progression.
We spoke with Cheddi Gore, Co-founder of BLISN, to find out more about his leadership journey and how he, and BLISN, are advocating for and enhancing the experiences of Black and ethnically diverse leaders in sport and physical activity.
Cheddi's story
Cheddi's leadership journey has been grounded by the desire to create equitable opportunities for underserved groups within the sport and physical activity sector.
He's committed to serve, inspire and create meaningful impact in the communities his work reaches.
"Promoting leadership development among young people and supporting Black leaders in sport is central to my purpose. Ultimately, my aim is to create a legacy of inclusive leadership that empowers communities and supports social change through sport and physical activity."
Cheddi first became involved in leadership during his A-levels. He worked alongside police officers to engage young people through sport and fitness. One officer saw Cheddi's potential and encouraged him to pursue sports leadership studies at college. These years were formative for Cheddi, he discovered his love for coaching and mentoring, community services and civic development. They laid the foundations of his leadership ethos, to empower others, drive inclusivity and serve with integrity.
After a brief period of unemployment, Cheddi joined the Parachute Regiment and completed one of the most physically demanding courses in the British Army. Earning his Red Beret and wings built his resilience and discipline. It also gave him a profound understanding of teamwork, collaboration, trust, empowerment and integrity. These qualities continue to shape his leadership approach.
After the army, Cheddi's career transitioned into local government where he managed leisure facilities and championed inclusive community services. During this time, he got the opportunity to attend university as a mature student where he gained significant insights that developed his understanding of organisational leadership, sport equity and strategic community engagement.
Cheddi's journey took a pivotal turn when he moved into national policy, working to promote race equality within sport and physical activity. Confronted with resistance and institutional barriers, Cheddi became focussed on supporting the drive to dismantle systemic racism and ensure that young people from diverse backgrounds could access sport and leadership pathways.
Following this wealth of experience and as an immediate response to the death of George Floyd, Cheddi co-founded BLISN, to help support and develop aspiring Black leaders in sport. He'd identified a need for BLISN and felt he was directly reacting to a call for help from diverse leaders, and aspiring leaders, across the sector.
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Leader wellbeing
Cheddi promotes creating a healthy work-life balance. Managing his wellbeing has been vital in sustaining his leadership journey.
"Throughout my journey, I have tried to prioritise my wellbeing by seeking support when needed, recognising that resilience is essential to overcoming setbacks and resistance."
Challenges, such as institutional apathy and barriers to innovation, have tested Cheddi's resolve. As a result, he's learnt to develop strategies, build alliances and advocate for change through persistent, transparent engagement.
"I've learned that resilience is not just about pushing forward but also about recognising when to seek support. I've proactively built a support network of mentors, colleagues and friends, who provide guidance and encouragement during challenging times."
By prioritising his wellbeing and finding ways to deal with the challenges of being a leader through seeking support and building alliances, Cheddi can continue to lead authentically and sustainably.
Facing challenges
As a Black leader working to tackle inequalities, Cheddi's faced a range of different challenges, including:
- Encountering institutional resistance and apathy towards race equality initiatives.
- Breaking through cultural barriers within organisations where tick box exercises were historically favoured over genuine inclusivity.
- Making sure the voices and needs of diverse communities are heard and acted upon.
- Capacity building in communities to empower them to advocate for themselves and create sustainable changes from the grassroots up.
- Challenging societal stereotypes.
- Navigating systemic barriers and tackling ingrained biases to improve representation and progression opportunities for people and leaders from diverse communities.
- Working with limited resources.
"Leadership is a continuous journey of learning, humility and resilience. Embracing challenges as opportunities for growth can lead to profound social impact."
Top tips
Drawing on his challenges and achievements, Cheddi offers the following tips:
Stay true to your purpose; authenticity resonates
As a leader, it's important to stay connected to your purpose so you can navigate through the tough times with clarity and drive.
Build diverse, genuine partnerships
Cheddi's work is founded on meaningful relationships. He suggests developing your network and prioritising diversity within this, respecting and leaning from others' skills and experiences and surrounding yourself with allies that can support you during challenging times.
Stay patient, change takes time
Change doesn't happen overnight. Progress can be slow and setbacks are part of the journey. Cheddi's advice is to keep going and be consistent in your work to reap results as and when they come.
Invest in soft skills
Cheddi emphasises the importance of developing your soft skills as a leader. Skills like communication, empathy and collaboration are essential for driving sustainable change.
Prioritise your wellbeing
Leadership can be demanding, especially when working to tackle inequalities and drive social change. Cheddi recommends prioritising your physical and mental health and seeking support when needed to make your work, and its long-term impact, sustainable.
In this segment we asked the last leader we spoke to, to leave a question for the next: What one moment or opportunity unexpectedly changed the course of your leadership journey?
"Attending university as a mature student. This academic milestone was unexpectedly pivotal. It helped me understand that leadership isn't just about passion and drive; it's also about navigating systems and structures, understanding institutional barriers and applying evidence-based strategies to drive change. It reinforced my belief that continuous learning is essential for effective leadership, especially when tackling deeply ingrained inequalities."
What's next?
Looking ahead, Cheddi's committed to leading BLISN full-time, securing funding to support emerging leaders and expanding educational initiatives that empower young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. He's focussed on expanding BLISN's network and opportunities and invites anyone who'd like to progress this mission alongside him to get in touch.
Do you have a leadership story you'd like to share? We'd love to hear from you, email us at leadingthemovement@sportengland.org and we'll be in touch!
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