Menu
Alicia Richardson is an acclaimed Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) keynote speaker, founder, and thought leader whose mission is to transform how organisations attract, engage, and retain diverse talent. With a distinctive blend of authenticity, entrepreneurial drive and strategic insight, Alicia is redefining employer branding through community, culture, and content. As the Founder of Create Connect and Host of the Black Create Connect Podcast, she champions visibility, equity, and long-term belonging for underrepresented professionals in creative, tech, and marketing sectors.
Alicia’s professional journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from the University of Hertfordshire, including a pivotal year abroad at San José State University. Her early experiences in recruitment and operations laid a foundation of resilience, resourcefulness, and interpersonal excellence. Starting in delegate sales, she quickly developed a reputation for authentic leadership and a passion for connecting people. Alicia went on to lead talent acquisition, DEI, and employer brand strategies at organisations like Depop, Engine UK, and SyncD, where she delivered impactful inclusion strategies and cultural change across diverse teams in the UK and US.
One of Alicia’s most influential accomplishments is the creation of Black Create Connect, a grassroots community that began as a WhatsApp group and expanded into a cross-platform ecosystem serving over 30,000 professionals. In 2022, she launched the Black Create Connect Podcast, interviewing over 100 Black leaders and creatives. Her entrepreneurial flair and dedication to equity led her to complete the Barclays x Foundervine Accelerator in 2023, after which she transitioned to running Create Connect full-time as Chief of Culture, Talent & Vibes. In this role, she has continued to pioneer a new era of employer marketing focused on community building, authentic storytelling, and long-term inclusion.
Alicia’s voice is both bold and grounded, making her a highly sought-after speaker. She has delivered TEDx talks, led internal training for companies like Salesforce, HP, and TripAdvisor, and hosted high-energy live events. Known for blending practical tools with cultural insight, Alicia addresses everything from data-led recruitment to inclusive leadership and community-centred branding. Her sessions are refreshingly honest and strategically sound, encouraging companies to move from tokenism to transformation. Whether on stage, in a boardroom, or behind the mic, Alicia brings infectious energy and a vision for a more inclusive world of work.
“I highly recommend Alicia for her exceptional expertise in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives. I had the privilege of attending two of her insightful webinars and engaging in a one-on-one session, and I must say that her presentations were truly eye-opening. Alicia’s deep knowledge and passionate delivery shed light on areas our company was lacking in terms of DE&I, and her sessions have significantly expanded my awareness and understanding. Her ability to convey complex concepts in a relatable manner is truly commendable. If you’re seeking someone who can drive positive change andfoster a more inclusive work environment, Alicia is the ideal professional to collaborate with”.
“I recently attended an informative workshop led by Alicia that was all about personal branding and optimising LinkedIn. It was incredibly useful and insightful. Alicia was a friendly, relatable host and a power speaker. Alicia provided original and actionable advice throughout the session, and was able to connect with everyone in the audience due to her authenticity and bubbly personality”.
“Alicia ran a really in-depth, detailed and specific bespoke DEI workshop for our company around adding equity at work, and why it’s important. The team felt inspired hearing the content and really took away a lot from the session to implement into their day to day work life – which was exactly what we hoped for. Thank you so much Alicia! Your expertise & passion is so inspiring”.
The Diversity and Inclusion Speakers Agency has been one of the UK’s leading bureaus for inspirational figures of different races, genders, sexualities and abilities since 2020. We supply speakers for corporate and public events across the world, and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes athletes, psychologists, celebrities and more, to ensure that audiences of all industries receive tailored, impactful advice on diversity and inclusion.
Copyright © 2025 The Diversity & Inclusion Speakers Agency. All rights reserved.
