23 - Irene Afful - from a fear of the police having grown up during the Toxteth riots to becoming Merseysides first black female inspector for Merseyside.

Irene Afful is such an inspirational woman.  

Irene grew up in Toxteth, in inner city Liverpool after her parents unfortunately had to part ways. 

At the time there was a lot of tension in the area due to deprivation and racial abuse which ultimately accumulated in the riots of 1981. Irene witnesses all of this and even suffered racial abuse from the police herself while she was simply playing with her friends. 

Due to her parents splitting up Irene was determined to stand on her own two feet and provide for herself.  She took a job at the local council and worked her way up to becoming a supervisor in the child protection department. 

It was while working in this department that she should become friends with two police men.  They saw the potential in Irene through the work she was already doing and suggested she would make a good police officer. Irene had no intention whatsoever especially because of her experiences as a child.  

After a lot of banter and persuasion they turned up with an application form one day and so Irene filled it in not expecting to ever get in! To her surprise she did! 

Being a career driven woman Irene soon worked her way up the ranks and despite the efforts of some to stop her she went on to become the first black female inspector for Merseyside.  

Unwittingly to begin Irene was on a journey to change the culture from within.  Using her background story and newfound rank and authority within the force Irene was able to spearhead the effort to recruit a more diverse and multicultural police force.

She is now brining everything she has learnt to the business arena through coaching, mentoring and consultancy. 

Irene can help you reach your full potential and help your business be a more inclusive and productive environment. 

Diversity works, together we are stronger. 
www.ametrine-enterprise-solutions.co.uk

The BeGlad Movement is aiming to collect 100 stories of good coming out of bad and reasons to be glad by the end of 2018 to help support each other with our experiences and to raise money for the Samaritans and Action for Happiness. If you would like to donate it would be so greatly appreciated. Thank you!
 
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/beglad