Founder Voices (Episode 9): Jasmine Cannon-Ikurusi – Building Equity Through Social Impact
In this inspiring episode of Founder Voices, I sit down with Jasmine Connon-Ikurusi—a dynamic leader, strategist, and advocate for equity and social impact. As the Founder & CEO of The Sapphire Employability and Wellbeing Academy, Jasmine has spearheaded initiatives across the UK, Africa, and beyond, empowering over 12,000 people through employability training, mental health support, and community development.
Her work spans policy leadership, diversity and inclusion, youth and women’s empowerment, and international advocacy. From advising charities such as the Stephen Lawrence Trust and the Mayor of London Fund to speaking at UN conferences and global summits, Jasmine demonstrates how vision and action can create systemic change for marginalized communities.
This conversation was recorded on Wednesday, 20 August 2025.
Founder Voices (Episode 4): Micah Elechi, Founder and CEO of Macklemore Solutions and AfrikLink
In Episode 4, Clement Akran sits down with Micah Elechi—the Nigerian‑born, Canada‑based founder & CEO of Macklemore Solutions and AfrikLink. A Forbes‑recognised, award‑winning entrepreneur, Micah is on a mission to bridge the gap between Africa’s skilled talent and global opportunities through innovative digital platforms and strategic empowerment initiatives
In this inspiring and globally minded conversation, Micah Elechi shares his journey from Nigeria to Canada, and how his dual perspective fuels his mission to empower Africa’s talent and entrepreneurs. We unpack the challenges of navigating international business, building scalable tech solutions for impact, and why diaspora founders play a critical role in shaping Africa’s digital future.
From launching two ventures to gaining international recognition, Micah reflects on lessons learned, the importance of staying rooted in purpose, and how he’s using platforms like AfrikLink to connect potential across borders.
The podcast was recorded on Saturday, 15 June 2025.