As October draws to a close, we reflect on a powerful and inspiring month of events at Mizuho London that brought our community together to honour and celebrate Black heritage.
This year’s theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” is a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe. It highlights the profound contributions made by Black people be they leaders, activists, or pioneers who have shaped history, while also looking towards a future of continued empowerment, unity, and growth.
In celebrating Black History Month, the Cultural Diversity Network at Mizuho held a landmark panel discussion in collaboration with MUFG and SMBC, our partners in the newly-formed Danketsu Network. Meaning ‘unity’ in Japanese, this is a network founded by Black employees within the three big Japanese-heritage banks in London, and their mission is to build a network where Black employees can build a community that allows them to thrive, share ideas, and grow.
The event brought together Black professionals from across the three banks to share their career journeys and reflections on identity, representation, and leadership. Moderated by Uche Ibekwe, Head of SOX, Internal Audit Department Europe at Mizuho EMEA, the panel featured:
- Joshua Leslie, Director, UK & Ireland Corporate Coverage Team at MUFG
- Tomi Sodeinde, Head of Contingent Risk & Advisory at Mizuho EMEA
- Seun Yussuf, Director, Corporate and Investment Banking Division at SMBC
The discussion was both candid and uplifting, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs of navigating the industry as Black professionals. Our speakers shared their insights into the importance of relationship-building, and the value of being authentic in the way we present ourselves to others. Following the session, Mizuho colleagues and guests from the other banks enjoyed some great food and networked with others in a relaxed informal setting.
Hear from Uche Ibekwe, our panel moderator and a member of Mizuho’s Cultural Diversity Network, shared her thoughts on the event and the Danketsu Network.
"To me, Black History Month serves as a reminder to honour the past while actively shaping a future where Black professionals are empowered, recognised, and truly feel a sense of belonging.
Beyond just being the right thing to do, this inclusive approach enhances productivity and business impact – especially as organisations expand into emerging markets where representation matters and we truly understand our clients. How much more value could we add to those conversations and products if we are able to represent the communities that we do business in?
Moderating the Black History Month panel was both a privilege and a joy. This year’s theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”, deeply resonated throughout the discussion, with speakers sharing powerful stories and insights, including the importance of building authentic relationships and harnessing fundamental skills borne out by their experiences.
The newly formed Danketsu Network, a collaboration between Mizuho, MUFG, and SMBC, is also a testament to the strength of unity in the Black community, and a shared desire to grow a thriving network of Black professionals. It’s a space to share challenges, opportunities, and foster unity – I’m eager to see what we can do next!"
Mizuho’s second event, held for our employees in London, took a creative turn with a special lunchtime film screening that celebrated Black identity, culture, and family through the lens of cinema and a spread of delicious Afro-Caribbean food. The screening offered a moment of reflection on the power of storytelling in shaping cultural understanding.
Mizuho is delighted to have been the host of the series of festivities surrounding Black History Month and be inclusive, supportive, and respectful of the diversity in our community. Learn more about Inclusion & Diversity at Mizuho EMEA here.