AUTHOR AND broadcaster June Sarpong has showcased her new book Diversify at an event held in partnership with GUBA.

CEO of GUBA Dentaa Amoateng hosted the night, which featured special guests MOBO CEO Kanya King and ITV news presenter Charlene White, who both read from Sarpong’s book.

In Diversify, Sarpong puts the spotlight on groups who are often marginalised in our society, including women, those living with disabilities, and the LGBTQ community. Diversify uncovers how a new approach to how we work, learn and live can help us reach our maximum potential, lessen the pressure on the state, and solve some of the most stubborn challenges we face.

Speaking of her book, Sarpong said: “We are all guilty of ‘otherizing’ and excluding people who seem different to us, and if unchecked the results can be catastrophic. In Diversify I will be exploring exclusion in its many forms including discrimination by age, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic background, religion or sexual orientation.”

Amoateng said: “We are thrilled to be supporting June Sarpong’s, Diversify. An engaging and essential read that examines the research behind diversity and discrimination. June is a leading female Ghanaian voice, who has uncovered the un-often marginalised within our community. Diversify is a poignant and much needed book that shines a light on and reiterates the need for diversity.”

Drawing on new case studies – from shared parental leave, to flexible teaching methods, to communal living for pensioners and students – and with never-before published research from Oxford University, alongside stellar research and inspiring stories are six simple and revolutionary exercises: the first steps on a journey to overcoming personal prejudice and reaping the huge rewards.

Working with Professor Anthony Heath, head of the Centre for Social Investigation at Nuffield College, Oxford University, in Diversify Sarpong considers how we create and use stereotypes, and how they negatively impact our social interactions both overtly and covertly.

Using personal anecdotes, referencing stories of success, and by introducing the “Ism Calculator”, Diversify encourages readers to calculate their levels of discriminative views and limiting beliefs that they can challenge or possibly conquer as they the complete six steps.

GUBA is a non-profit organisation, which donates proceeds towards charitable schemes operating within the British Ghanaian community and provides an engaging platform for promoting greater cultural diversity in the UK as well as raising the profile of Ghana.

It promotes closer economic, cultural and social links between Ghana and the United Kingdom.