“Standing Firm in Power and Pride” Celebrating Akil Hunte this Black History Month

What does it mean to stand firm in power and pride?

For me, it’s about authenticity, courage, and using your platform to drive real change.

That’s exactly why I’m shining a light on Akil Hunte.

I have had the pleasure of interviewing Akil twice on the Legally Speaking Podcast ™️. Once during his early journey training as a lawyer, and again this year live at LegalTechTalk 2025, where his views on inclusivity, collaboration, and breaking elitist barriers in law truly resonated.

🎧 Why I am shining a light on Akil:

▪️ Chair of NRG Lawyers, championing Non-Russell Group graduates while welcoming Russell Group allies into the same room.
▪️ Host of Bring Law to the 21st Century, a sold-out LegalTechTalk side event that united GCs, founders, and future leaders around authentic community and practical change.
▪️ A connector and collaborator who builds bridges, not silos, and reminds us that the legal industry must reflect modern society.

🎹 A moment I will never forget:

At the The Great Big Legal Offsite (GBLO), we invited Akil to perform his spoken word piece Pathway to Law, accompanied by piano.

It earned a standing ovation and captured what true power and pride sound like when lived, not just spoken.

💬 Akil in his own words:

“We are all idiots. None of us have the solution, and that is why humility and learning matter most.”

“Collaboration isn’t about who gets the credit; it’s about who gets included.”

This year’s Black History Month theme, Standing Firm in Power and Pride, celebrates identity, excellence, and courage.

Akil embodies all three through his work, his creativity, and his mission to modernise the profession with empathy and authenticity.

I have been proud to support NRG Lawyers over the years and continue to be inspired by Akil’s humility, his leadership, and his commitment to building a legal community where everyone belongs.

What does power and pride mean to you this Black History Month?

#BlackHistoryMonth #LegalCommunity #Inclusion #LegalInnovation #LegallySpeakingPodcast