Black in Fintech Launches Speaker Index as Community Expands With Senior Advisory Board

WHY THIS MATTERS: The launch of a dedicated speaker index for Black professionals addresses a crucial systemic flaw in the fintech talent ecosystem: a profound lack of visibility for non-white leaders. In an industry that prides itself on disruption and innovation, its public face—at conferences, in media, and on advisory boards—remains unrepresentative of the global populations it aims to serve. This isn’t just a matter of corporate social responsibility; it is an economic imperative. True innovation requires diverse perspectives to identify overlooked market gaps and mitigate embedded biases in new financial products, especially those powered by AI. Initiatives that systematically dismantle the barriers to entry and exposure for underrepresented groups, thereby strengthening the future talent pipeline, are foundational to maintaining competitive advantage and ensuring responsible financial technology development. Providing a curated, accessible directory is a direct, practical response to move the conversation from pledges to action.

Black in Fintech has launched a speaker index to increase the visibility of Black professionals across financial services and fintech, as the organisation scales its community, leadership, and industry presence.

The launch follows the appointment of a new advisory board, which will help accelerate the initiative’s goals of community building and elevating black talent.  

• Perpetua Gitungo, Compliance Director, LATAM & MEA at Wise

• Iana Vidal, Head of UK Policy at Block

• Anthony David King, Founder of ADK & Fintech Investor

• Kaley Addo, Head of UK Operations, at Upvest,

• Fumbi Banjoko, Senior Director, Global Sales Development, Visa Direct

Founded by Valerie Kontor, Black in Fintech was created to address a persistent gap in representation, particularly in the rooms where conversations are shaped. Over the past year, the initiative has grown into a recognised platform for conversation and connection across the industry, bringing together professionals through events, partnerships and community-led initiatives. 

Valerie Kontor, Founder of Black in Fintech: “Black in FinTech is about making honest conversations happen, helping create meaningful connections and building long-term opportunities. The reality is that representation is still low. Black women make up just 1.3% of the fintech workforce, so this is not merely a visibility issue. It is about creating more pathways into the industry, while also changing who gets seen and heard once they are in it. If we want fintech to reflect the people it serves, we have to be more deliberate about both.”

The new speaker index is the next step in elevating black talent, bringing together a curated network of operators, founders and leaders across product, policy, engineering and marketing. 

Perpetua Gitungo, Compliance Director of LATAM & MEA at Wise commented: “I am very excited about the direction that ‘Black In Fintech’ is heading. From being a movement to becoming a strong organisation that curates programs that bring everyone along on this journey. The vision of the founder supported by the advisory board and the core team will bring to life the reality for those who wish to join Fintech while supporting those already in the space. The future is Black and Bright.”

Iana Vidal, Head of UK Policy at Block: “If fintech is to maintain its relevance in a changing world, firms must continue to develop diverse talent who can unlock the next wave of innovation. Black in Fintech has a key role to play in driving this transition. It will help to spotlight, champion, challenge and inspire lasting and meaningful systems change across the industry, with Black leaders, founders and investors at the centre of this moment. 

The speaker index is now live and open to industry use.

FF NEWS TAKE: This move signals an overdue shift from passive DEI statements to proactive structural change. By professionalizing access to experts, Black in Fintech is directly addressing ‘panel paralysis’ and the visibility gap that hinders career progression. This is a net positive for the industry. The next crucial metric to track will be the adoption rate of the index by major conference organizers and corporate boards—evidence that the industry is genuinely ready to integrate diverse expertise into its highest levels of decision-making.

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