Voicing Education

Consciously Educating

Legacy & Leadership

What’s the intersection between art, education and cultural impact?

Legacy & Leadership

In this special episode, we explore the intersection between art, education, and cultural impact with Elijah, a writer, DJ, and creative visionary. Leadership isn’t confined to boardrooms or classrooms—it thrives in the creative process, shaping culture, communities, and the legacies we leave behind.

Through his project Yellow Squares, Elijah challenges conventional ideas of success, using visual storytelling, music, and dialogue to explore the nature of creative work. His journey illustrates how leadership in the arts—through risk-taking, innovation, and adaptability—parallels the qualities needed in education and beyond.

Building a legacy isn’t just about achievement; it’s about creating systems, ideas, and movements that inspire others long after the work is done. This episode in the Legacy & Leadership series invites you to rethink leadership as a creative and cultural force, shaping the future in ways that go beyond the present moment.

Disrupt yourself or get disrupted.

Elijah - What’s the intersection between art, education and cultural impact?

Elijah

Writer, DJ and Creative Consultant

Elijah is a writer and DJ with 15 years of experience in London’s independent music and arts sector. His work spans artist and label management, event production, and creative direction. He is the creator of Yellow Squares, a project exploring creative work through writing on Instagram, which has since evolved into visual installations, an album, a book, and a global lecture series.

A contributor to The Guardian, Elijah is also the co-founder of the influential Grime record label Butterz (2010–2021).

Photo credit: Osman Ahmed

Highlights:

  • 10:15    The importance of the feedback loop 
  • 17:28    Self leadership
  • 20:52   Risk v Balance
  • 28:55   Importance of learning 
  • 31:27    Experimentation
  • 35:39   Leadership qualities 
  • 55:40   Vulnerability and leadership

Book:

Music – Yellow Square: Elijah, Jammz, Blay Vision

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Why is advocacy important? (Part 2)

Legacy & Leadership

In this thought-provoking episode, we continue the conversation with Baar Hersi a passionate advocate for educational equity.

Baar shares her journey of balancing advocacy with leadership, offering profound insights into how emotions and intuition shape her decision-making process.

We delve into the power of being intentional in leadership—how setting clear intentions can inspire meaningful change and foster lasting relationships. Baar also unpacks her unique approach to measuring success, moving beyond traditional metrics to focus on impact, growth, and resilience.

For me advocacy is quite innate and it comes from a very authentic place.

Baar Hersi - Why is advocacy important?

Baar Hersi

Assistant Principal
Founder of British Somali Educators Association

Baar Hersi is a dedicated mother of four and serves as an Assistant Principal at an inner London school, where she plays a crucial role in overseeing attendance, KS4 pastoral care, and driving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. 

Baar Hersi is a dedicated mother of four and serves as an Assistant Principal at an inner London school, where she plays a crucial role in overseeing attendance, KS4 pastoral care, and driving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. 

As the founder of the British Somali Educators Association, she leads a collective of Somali educators committed to achieving educational equity for Somali students and their communities.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Baar is a passionate community advocate, focused on strengthening home-school relationships within her local Somali community. She firmly believes that activism and advocacy are essential for driving positive change. Through her blog, ‘Sheekaday’ (My Story), she shares insights from her journey as a woman, wife, mother, and leader.

A proud British Somali, Baar actively participates in events and festivals that celebrate her rich heritage and culture, ensuring that the stories and contributions of the Somali community are highlighted and honoured.

Highlights:

  • 11:06   Advocacy, emotions and intuition
  • 18:36  Being intentional
  • 25:18   Hopeful changes 
  • 29:53   Sustainable changes v Temporary fixes
  • 32:52   Measuring success as a leader

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Why is advocacy important?

Legacy & Leadership

An inspiring conversation with Baar Hersi an educator, advocate, and mother of four who’s making a difference in her community. Known for her passionate community advocacy, Baar highlights the critical role of strengthening home-school relationships and how activism can drive meaningful change.

In this first episode of two-parts, Baar shares her insights on empowering families, the transformative power of collaboration, and the importance of asking for help and building networks. Tune in to hear Baar’s journey and her vision for creating a more equitable and connected community.

We cannot underestimate the power and the impact of having a space, to be able to talk to people who look like you, and whose lived experience is similar to yours.

Baar Hersi - Why is advocacy important?

Baar Hersi

Assistant Principal
Founder of British Somali Educators Association

Baar Hersi is a dedicated mother of four and serves as an Assistant Principal at an inner London school, where she plays a crucial role in overseeing attendance, KS4 pastoral care, and driving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. 

Baar Hersi is a dedicated mother of four and serves as an Assistant Principal at an inner London school, where she plays a crucial role in overseeing attendance, KS4 pastoral care, and driving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. 

As the founder of the British Somali Educators Association, she leads a collective of Somali educators committed to achieving educational equity for Somali students and their communities.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Baar is a passionate community advocate, focused on strengthening home-school relationships within her local Somali community. She firmly believes that activism and advocacy are essential for driving positive change. Through her blog, ‘Sheekaday’ (My Story), she shares insights from her journey as a woman, wife, mother, and leader.

A proud British Somali, Baar actively participates in events and festivals that celebrate her rich heritage and culture, ensuring that the stories and contributions of the Somali community are highlighted and honoured.

Highlights:

  • 12:23     Postive influence
  • 15:19     Empowering families
  • 21:46    Collaboration in the community
  • 43:05   Asking for help and networking
  • 52:02   Protecting yourself and managing emotions

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Please leave a review: 

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How does resilience transform trauma into leadership?

Legacy & Leadership, Personal Development

Through this conversation, Zakary Zidane Guerfi reflects on his childhood experiences, the resilience he developed, and the values he gained from football. He shares how these lessons have shaped his approach to building a company that fosters human development through sport.  It’s a powerful exploration of leadership, personal growth, and the transformative impact of sport.

Zakary is passionate about using his personal journey to inspire and empower the next generation, creating positive and lasting change in their lives.

I have a huge purpose and match that with tremendous passion but I deliver it with amazing substance.

Zak - How does resilience transform trauma into leadership?

Zakary Zidane Guerfi

CEO at Sports2Inspire

Zakary Guerfi is a passionate individual with extensive experience in both the professional football world and the education system. His distinguished career includes playing professional football across three countries and representing Tunisia at various international levels, culminating in his involvement with the senior national team. Additionally, he gained public recognition through his appearance on the BBC3 series “Boot Dreams.”

Throughout his career, Zakary assumed leadership roles, captaining numerous teams, which allowed him to develop robust leadership and management skills. These experiences have equipped him to excel in high-pressure environments, further enhancing his ability to lead with resilience and clarity.

As the founder of Sports2Inspire, Zakary is driven by a profound commitment to fostering positive change in the lives of future generations. His mission is to leverage the transformative power of sport to inspire and cultivate fit, healthy, and active young individuals. Through this initiative, he aims to impart the essential values and life skills that have been foundational to his success in professional football.

Highlights:

  • 5:40 Childhood challenges and resilience building
  • 12:41 Escapism through sport
  • 17:32 Values learned from football
  • 24:00 Daily rituals and mindset development  
  • 29:38 Character building
  • 31:44 Understanding of self
  • 35:58 Gratitude and legacy of positive change
  • 43:34 Language and building relationships
  • 1:00:16 Goal setting

Book:

Feature in LFE Magazine
Zakary with Mr Shallcross

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Each and every review really does make a difference. If you are enjoying the episodes, I’d just like to ask for you to share your appreciation.

Please leave a review: 

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How important is your persona as a leader? (Part 2)

Leadership, Legacy & Leadership

In part two of this enlightening conversation with Zoubiya Ahmed about the leadership persona, we delve into the essence of authentic leadership, the power of being intentional, and her unwavering belief in the value of consistent learning. We discuss leadership composure, planning for personal growth and how your leadership is an experience for others.

Describing herself as “passionately curious,” Zoubiya shares how her lifelong commitment to learning fuels her ability to drive confidence, solution-finding, and effective decision-making, even in the most complex situations.

Get ready to be inspired by her practical insights on leadership development. Discover how to lead with authenticity, purpose, and continuous growth in order to build your leadership persona.

Leadership is not a title. Leadership is attitude, actions, behaviours, in service of a common and unified goal. Everything I do at work should serve the best interests of the community and the people.

Zoubiya Ahmed - How important is your persona as a leader?

Zoubiya Ahmed

Educational Consultant and Leadership Coach

Zoubiya Ahmed is an authentic leader with over 20 years of experience in the education sector and more than 14 years of international leadership and management consulting expertise.

Specialising in leadership development and coaching, Zoubiya has successfully coached over 125 business and executive school leaders across 15 countries. Zoubiya excels at fostering confidence, guiding solution-focused strategies, and enables effective decision-making in complex environments, resulting in tangible success in both personal and professional spheres.

Highlights:

  • 2:24  Importance of composure
  • 10:35  Power trip trap
  • 15:25  Planning for personal growth
  • 21:05  Effective listening 
  • 34:10  Values 
  • 44:00  Self-care and boundaries

Have you left a review for Voicing Education – The Podcast?

Each and every review really does make a difference. If you are enjoying the episodes, I’d just like to ask for you to share your appreciation.

Please leave a review: 

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How important is your persona as a leader?

Leadership, Legacy & Leadership

This is the first of a two-part conversation with Zoubiya Ahmed, an inspiring thought leader and educational consultant. Zoubiya has spent two decades empowering leaders and cultivating dynamic learning cultures.

Zoubiya shares her unique insights on authentic leadership, the importance of being intentional, and the lifelong value of learning. She reveals how to build confidence, make sound decisions, and find solutions that deliver measurable results—both professionally and personally. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, this conversation is packed with wisdom to help you lead with purpose and passion.

Leadership is not a garment.

Zoubiya Ahmed - How important is your persona as a leader?

Zoubiya Ahmed

Educational Consultant and Leadership Coach

Zoubiya Ahmed is an authentic leader with over 20 years of experience in the education sector and more than 14 years of international leadership and management consulting expertise.

Specialising in leadership development and coaching, Zoubiya has successfully coached over 125 business and executive school leaders across 15 countries. Zoubiya excels at fostering confidence, guiding solution-focused strategies, and enables effective decision-making in complex environments, resulting in tangible success in both personal and professional spheres.

Highlights:

  • 14:57  Appreciative enquiry
  • 19:07  Leadership style and intelligences 
  • 22:22  Being kind v Being Nice
  • 25:38  Leadership and learning 
  • 39:00  Awareness and insight
  • 42:58  Relationships and vulnerability  

Have you left a review for Voicing Education – The Podcast?

Each and every review really does make a difference. If you are enjoying the episodes, I’d just like to ask for you to share your appreciation.

Please leave a review: 

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  3. To show extra appreciation and support – please add a quick sentence (or two) to share what you enjoy about the show.