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Equity in Action

Equity in Action

Written by: Sporting Equals
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 Everyone deserves a place in sports. Addressing racism in athletics requires a top-down approach; associations, communities, and families must work together to reshape the racial narrative within physical activity and create fair, equitable, and welcoming environments for all. Teaching children to fail, collaborate, and play is critical to their development, yet generational and systemic stigma can stand in the way. Equity in Action explores the many facets of racial inequality and how they can be addressed to foster fairness within the sporting industry. Hosted by Zoiey Smale, Disability, Access, and Inclusion Consultant and Sports Presenter, the series features conversations with leaders across the sporting sector, including parents, innovators, and professional athletes, reflecting on how to champion equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in sport. From Tuesday 27th January 2026, you can hear inspiring stories from across the United Kingdom and gain practical insight into how to foster more inclusive, supportive sporting environments within your own community. New episodes are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. You’ll hear from voices such as: Didi Okoh, British Paralympian and bronze medallist in the T63 100m at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Khadija Patel, founder of Krimmz Girls Youth Club, an inclusive space empowering young woman, girls, and their families through sport, leadership, and personal development. Azi Mohammed, Trustee for the Mayor’s Fund of London and Chief Operating Officer of Salaam Peace, a community-led organisation in East London delivering sports and education programmes to drive positive change. Inder Singh Bassi, five-time London champion and three-time national finalist in boxing, and youth boxing coach. --- About the Host: Zoiey ‘The Mindful Maverick’ Smale is a motivational educator, storyteller and inclusion advocate with over 20 years of experience in sport and leadership. Her career has taken her from athlete, official and coach to working with major global brands and organisations like NASA, Mercedes F1, Spotify, and Sport England, helping them create more inclusive and equitable spaces. Recognised by leaders like Theo Paphitis and Jacqueline Gold CBE, Zoiey has led award-winning initiatives to keep girls in sport and challenge outdated standards in both the sport and fashion industries. She made history as the first Black woman to win over six national titles, including Miss United Kingdom and Ms GB World, using her platform to drive the body positivity movement and push for better representation across media and brands like Victoria’s Secret and Decathlon. --- If you enjoy podcasts like The Rest is Football, The Lead, and Code Switch, you’ll enjoy hearing the stories of resilience and innovation within the sporting industry found in Equity in Action.
Episodes
  • Teaser - Equity in Action Launching on Tuesday 27th January 2026

    Teaser - Equity in Action Launching on Tuesday 27th January 2026
    Dec 18 2025
    Do you ever wonder why fostering inclusion in your community matters? Equity in Action explores the barriers faced by people from minority groups in the sporting world, alongside real-world examples of how communities, professionals, and organisations are working to break down historical barriers. Equity in Action is brought to you by Sporting Equals, a leading UK charity promoting race equality and equity in sport and physical activity. Hosted by Zoiey Smale, Disability, Access, and Inclusion Consultant and Sports Presenter, the series features conversations with leaders across the sporting sector, including parents, innovators, and professional athletes. From 27 January 2026, you’ll hear inspiring stories from across the United Kingdom and gain practical insights each week on resilience, courage, and innovation, alongside actionable strategies to improve diversity, equity, fairness, and inclusion in sport. In this teaser episode of Equity in Action, you’ll hear about: The task at hand: addressing racial inequalities in UK sport and exploring ways to foster equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Zoiey’s trailblazing journey toward inclusivity: From athlete to coach, highlighting barriers and lack of support for ethnically diverse talent. Sport’s broader role in the community: Building resilience, leadership, and life skills beyond performance. The need for systemic change: Understanding exclusion and underrepresentation as structural issues and exploring how education and transformation can create lasting change. --- Sporting Equals is a leading UK charity promoting race equality and equity in sport and physical activity. Their mission is to create a sporting landscape where ethnically diverse communities feel included, represented, and able to thrive – whether on the pitch, in leadership, or in decision-making spaces.
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    13 mins
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