Inspiring Interview

Mina Jesa

Chief Diversity Advisor for London Borough of Havering
Oversees the strategic and operational work around Equality, Diversity and Social/Community Cohesion

 

1. Who are you?

I would consider myself to be an Entrepreneur for the Public Sector and someone who is determined to make a positive contribution and difference through my work and personal interests.

 

2. What inspires you?

Two men have inspired me the most. They are….my two brothers; both had cerebral palsy. Sunil passed away when he was eight and half. Vimal is now 24 years old, and has ill health. Therefore each day with him is a blessing for my family and I.

My brothers have taught me to value life, to seize opportunities and to be grateful and enjoy what I have. Through them, I have learned humility, patience and to live in the present. Life is a gift to be shared and enjoyed.

My parents also inspire me when I think of what they have accomplished in terms of travelling to Britain in the early 70`s. During the process of settling here and providing full time care for my brothers, they also had to live in a society riddled with prejudice and negativity around disability.

Glimpses of inspiration through people I have met, even for a brief moment, through what they have said or done has also had an impact. I consider these glimpses as blessings as I have learned so much.

 

3. What are your Wow Factors?

Self-awareness and openness…, which for me manifested in confidence, ability and results!

 

4. On overcoming difficulties?

I am a reflector by nature, tied with my optimistic outlook. This has led me to look at difficulties as a learning process. I recognise that life is about dealing with challenges and my responsibility is to explore ways in overcoming these challenges.

For instance, my career started as a Speech Pathologist and Therapist (specialising in bilingualism and multilingualism) and during this period I experienced bullying and racial harassment from my direct line manager. I was in the process of leaving the organisation. As a result of good advice and ‘standing my ground’, my manager was ultimately given two hours to clear her desk and the Chief Executive offered me a promotion and a change in role. My new job title became Race Equality Officer. This was the start of my journey into the Diversity arena.

One of my favourite sayings is “there are two types of people…those who think a lot and do nothing and those who do everything without thinking!”
Be neither. The world is your oyster, go out there and make it happen, along the way take each disappointment, each challenge, each difficulty as a process to learn from and use it as a stepping stone to success.

 

5. Who are the angels in your life?

Simon Frost – my soul coach. He first introduced me to the concept of `the mountain range’. Basically we are all at different stages of self-awareness, learning cycles and development stages, therefore on different parts of the mountain range. How we progress on this range is basically how we choose to live our lives…we can get stuck in a valley, where perhaps its darker and lonelier or we can keep climbing upwards, despite how tired we are or however difficult this, to see more and with clarity.

Simon has helped me recognise and accept the valleys in my journey. Through this I do have faith, hope and strength. I look forward with anticipation to another beautiful landscape and sunrises on top of another mountain I will have just conquered!

 

6. On Self-Belief?

For me, life is for living; live it and enjoy each moment! It is a gift and blessing. Self-belief is about being comfortable with who I am – it is who I wake up with each morning and the person who looks back at me in the mirror.
One of the most interesting things I have done is to write my own obituary. This has given me a focus on what and who is important to me and why. As a result of this exercise I also know what legacy I want to leave behind. One thing which is for sure is that I do not want to be lying on my deathbed thinking.” If only I had…”

 

7. On AWE

INSPIRATION, INSPIRATION, INSPIRATION!