Afua Hirsch

Afua Hirsch is a leading British writer, former barrister and broadcaster specializing in social justice, identity and culture. Currently serving as the Wallis Annenberg Chair of Journalism at the University of Southern California, she is also the founder of the production firm Born in Me. Her media career spans over two decades, beginning at the Voice newspaper before she moved into senior editorial and correspondent roles at Sky News and The Guardian. She is a contributing editor for British and American Vogue and frequently contributes to Time Magazine and the New York Times. Her literary work includes the acclaimed bestseller Brit(ish), which was awarded the Royal Society of Literature Jerwood Prize, as well as the titles Decolonising My Body and Equal to Everything. On television, she has presented major documentaries including the BBC series African Renaissance and the transatlantic slave trade study Enslaved alongside Samuel L. Jackson. Her professional standing has seen her appointed as the creative chair of the Edinburgh TV Festival and consistently recognised on the Powerlist as one of the most influential Black individuals in the United Kingdom. An Oxford University graduate with multiple honorary doctorates, Afua combines academic rigour with extensive field experience to explore history through a modern lens. She is booked for her ability to navigate complex global narratives and provide audiences with a sophisticated understanding of equity and representation in the twenty-first century. On stage, Afua Hirsch is best known for talks on Diversity & Inclusion. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Arts & Culture, Education and Media & Broadcasting, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Afua Hirsch is regularly booked for Conference Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in UK, Afua Hirsch travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Afua Hirsch would approach your audience.