Friday Meetup #SpeakerSeries
About the Session:
Lead Like You Mean It by Charles Achampong
In Lead Like You Mean It, Charles Achampong explores what it truly takes to build real confidence — the kind that stays strong even when doubt shows up.
Drawing on powerful stories from his personal and professional journey — including lessons learned during a transformative year-long family sabbatical — Charles reveals that confidence isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build.
Through this engaging and inspiring talk, Charles walks audiences through three mindset shifts that empower them to:
• Speak up with clarity and conviction
• Lead before they feel fully ready
• Cultivate what he calls “healthy arrogance” — a quiet, grounded belief that you belong, even when you’re the only one who looks like you in the room
With warmth, authenticity, and humour, Charles challenges participants to rethink what leadership looks like and to lead like they truly mean it.
About our Guest Speaker:
Charles Achampong - Executive in Residence, Capacity Canada | Author & Award-Winning Keynote Speaker
Charles Achampong is a best-selling author and award-winning keynote speaker who helps ambitious professionals master the art of pausing — so they can stop running on empty and start living fully.
With over two decades of leadership experience across the public, private, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors, Charles has led transformative initiatives with organizations including the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Scotiabank, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
His debut book, Around the World in Family Days, became a best-seller — a story inspired by a year-long family sabbatical across four continents. During that journey, Charles uncovered three core truths that now anchor his work and signature talks:
• Pause for clarity before you act.
• Build failure immunity to strengthen resilience.
• Lead with confidence when the path forward is uncertain.
Charles’ keynotes challenge audiences to rethink success, embrace the unexpected, and build the courage to pause with purpose.
As Executive in Residence at Capacity Canada, he advances social impact through the MatchBoard program, connecting corporate leaders to nonprofit boards and helping create meaningful community change.
BTI Friday Meetups are a weekly source of information and inspiration for the Black Talent Initiative community. This is a space to share, learn, and engage with talented leaders driving meaningful change.
What BTI Friday Meetups Offer:
• Engaging Updates – Share accomplishments and celebrate progress across the BTI network.
• Inspiring Speakers – Hear from trailblazers and changemakers shaping a brighter future.
• Thoughtful Discussions – Collaborate and explore solutions for systemic change across industries.
• Meaningful Connections – Build lasting relationships with like-minded professionals and leaders.
Join us and be part of the conversation!