Page 123 - 2018 Powerlist

INTERVIEW

JUNE SARPONG

It’s a broken system, but we

can all play a part in xing it

TV personality June Sarpong,
who hosted the 2018 Powerlist
Infl uencers Dinner, talks to
Eva Simpson about her
inspiring career, diversity in I wasn’t surprised
the media... and a seance with
Michael Jackson! by the BBC
gender pay gap
What challenges have you faced in story
your career - breaking into television,
sustaining your career in a white/
male dominated industry?
I think the hardest challenge has been What advice would she give to young
getting the same career opportunities BME people trying to get into the
and equal pay as my white male industry now?
colleagues. There certainly isn’t yet a To not take prejudice and rejection
level playing field in TV but it is getting personally. It’s not about you, it’s
better. about a broken system, but everyone
has a part to play in fixing it.
What do you think of diversity in
television and media now. Is it where What do you think of the new wave
it should be or is there a still a long of young people making their own
way to go? shows and getting them onto the
I think TV is nowhere near where it internet, Netflix etc?
needs to be. Thank goodness for I LOVE it!!! I think it’s the future.
social media platforms, they have
enabled diverse talent to bypass What have been the highs lows of
the traditional gatekeepers and go your career?
straight to the audience. they have calculated the cost of My career high – hosting Nelson
discrimination! The pay gap is still Mandela’s 90th birthday. Career low?
Do you agree with quotas? shocking and even worse for BME Hosting a Michael Jackson seance
Yes, I agree with targets and quotas. workers. show!
As a government institution or private
corporation/business you have to What did you think of the reaction You are very vocal politically. Do you
have a clear vision of where you want of female BBC presenters who were find politics diverse or does that still
to get to, otherwise how will you ever very vocal about the pay disparity? have challenges for you as a black
know what success looks like. Every I think the women of the BBC are woman?
company has financial goals and coming together to demand equal pay One hundred per cent, black female
targets – why should diversity be any – it’s quite exciting. MPs still receive the worst Twitter
different? trolling out of all MPs, particularly
What was the secret to your success? Diane Abbott. We need more
What do you think about the recent Were you strategic, did you have people from diverse backgrounds
BBC gender pay gap story? Did it your career mapped out? stepping up and going into public
surprise you? I’ve had to be strategic because the office, that’s when change happens.
I wasn’t surprised at all. I’ve recently traditional path was not available for You can start at a local level first
worked with the team at the LSE me, the good thing is it has forced me and then influence your constituency
(London School of Economics) and to stretch myself and my abilities. party.

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