The BYP London chapter recently hosted an exciting and thought-provoking webinar titled “Is Mentorship Overrated?” This dynamic roundtable brought together an impressive panel of professionals: Joritse Onuwaje (Data Strategy & Insights Director, Mindshare), Jason Horby (TechEx Operations Analyst, NBCUniversal), Miriam Owusu (Partner Success Manager, ApprovalMax), and Misi Chanel Ogunlana (Founder, TFB Studios). The discussion challenged conventional ideas about mentorship, explored its relevance in today’s world, and offered fresh perspectives on how Black professionals can maximise its value. These dynamic speakers brought unique insights and experiences, making the session both inspiring and highly relatable.

Have a re-watch here:

Key Discussion Highlights:

The Real Value of Mentorship

The panelists and attendees explored whether mentorship truly delivers significant benefits or if it is overhyped in professional circles. Real-life experiences were shared, illustrating both the highs and lows of mentorship. The discussion also highlighted the gaps in mentorship, especially when expectations are unmet due to misalignment or lack of commitment and offered advice on how professionals can navigate these challenges.

Self-Mentorship: A Bold Perspective

Speakers encouraged attendees to take ownership of their personal growth through self-mentorship. They suggested setting clear goals, seeking learning opportunities, and maintaining accountability for ongoing development.

The Game-Changing Role of Peer Mentorship

Peer mentorship was presented as a game-changer. Panelists highlighted how collaborating with colleagues and sharing experiences can foster mutual growth and fill gaps that traditional mentorship may overlook.

Interactive and Insightful

The roundtable wasn’t just about expert insights; it was an interactive session where attendees shared their journeys, posed challenging questions, and left with actionable advice to apply in their own careers.

Takeaways for Attendees:

• Mentorship isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution; its value depends on alignment, commitment, and mutual effort.
• Build a diverse network that includes mentors, sponsors, and peers to unlock a variety of growth opportunities.
• Take ownership of your development by embracing self-mentorship and investing in your personal growth

BYP London’s roundtable left attendees with bold new insights into mentorship—its possibilities and its limitations. The passionate debates, game-changing perspectives, and actionable advice made it clear: mentorship is evolving, and so should our approach to it.

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