Join us for an evening of unmasked neurodivergent celebration, as we invite a line-up of awesome neurodivergent folks to share their stories, experiences, insights or special interests. ????????
At this event…
???? There’s no such thing as TMI (Too Much Information).
???? Info-dumping is welcome, nay, it’s encouraged!
???? Passion and authenticity are the name of the game.
And, as with all our events, you can expect our usual neurodivergent-friendly format including:
???? No expectation to stay in your seat, you’re free to move around
???? No pressure to participate in any group activities or ice-breakers
???? Freedom to ask questions and make comments
???? Freedom to use fidget toys or doodle to help you focus and self-soothe
???? Colour-coded lanyards indicate your communication preferences
???? A quiet space if you need a break
More speakers to be announced…
Lisa Kerr – The Fight! When Autism and ADHD go head-to-head
While some of the traits of Autism and ADHD overlap, these are two very different neurodivergent conditions and as someone diagnosed with both, Lisa Kerr has spent years understanding how the conditions present for her, where they work together and where it can sometimes feel like there’s a fight going on in her head.
Lisa is a Neurodiversity Speaker, International Coaching Federation Certified Coach, and Consultant. As a Certified ADHD Life Coach, she helps people develop strategies to overcome the challenges associated with Neurodivergence so you can reach your personal, academic and professional goals.
Autistic, ADHD and gifted (also known as twice-exceptional or 2e), Lisa only found this out in her forties. She says “My brain is wired differently. I can absorb information, process it on the spot and create innovative solutions for clients. But Autism and ADHD present challenges in the workplace – believe me, I know!”
Lisa originally trained as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte, and has a Corporate Finance, HR and Operations background. She also works as a business consultant, Executive Coach and mentor.
Rory Lemon – Navigating the Mindship: From Loss to Boss Without the Gloss.
Rory Lemon, Mental Fitness Trainer and NeuroCreative Leadership Coach, will speak about his past experience and future theories on managing the relationship with the mind and some takeaway tools to manage hyper-sensitivities and social anxiety.
Jess Rad – From Neurocurious to an Advocate for Change: A Gendered Lens
Join Jess Rad in an exploration of the intricate connection between neurodiversity, gender, and societal transformation. Delve into her personal narrative as a caregiver and fierce advocate for her daughter, which led to her own revelation of neurodivergence. Driven by a commitment to normalise the unspoken challenges of womanhood and foster gender equity, Jess intertwines her mission with supporting the neurocurious. From fostering understanding to igniting advocacy, she empowers women and all who identify as female to embark on a journey from curiosity to change, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.
Jess Rad, is the founder of The WomenHood, addressing the unspoken challenges of womanhood today, to create equity in our work and home lives. Jess was previously an award-winning marketer for 20th Century Fox, BBC and Disney. She launched The WomenHood in 2019, to ignite a movement of previously Unspoken Women (and all who identify as female) to advocate for their needs, desires and ambitions. The WomenHood now supports organisations to understand their female talent and uncover the invisible barriers to their ambitions and potential. Jess is a regular gender equity speaker, an ambassador for the SEND charity Amaze, a UN Women delegate, and has been nominated as a Positive Role Model for Gender at the 2024 National Diversity Awards.
Marshall Mandiangu – Reintroducing Me At 27
Marshall is a multi-talented singer, rapper, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. With his diverse skill set and immense passion for music, he has garnered recognition as a 4-time award-nominated artist. The enigmatic musical alter egos of Marshall Mandiangu (M.Kudo the singer, CM17 Sho Sho the rapper), seamlessly combine the celestial influences of astrology with the raw emotions of love and vulnerability. Together, these aliases create a unique musical experience that transcends genres, inviting audiences to explore the depths of their own emotions while getting lost in the cosmic melodies crafted by this extraordinary artist.
Marshall will talk about his personal experiences of being an autistic black person and reintroducing himself back into the public eye, as well as showcasing his music and reading poetry.
Event Details
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Event Agenda
18:00-18:30 – Arrive, get yourself a drink and snacks and settle in
18:30-18:35 – Introduction from your host
18:35-19:10 – First two talks
19:10-19:25 – Comfort break
19:25-20:15 – Next three talks
20:15-20:30 – Host Announcements, Event Close
Please note, we may be taking photos of this event to support us with promoting the events to reach other neurodivergent business owners and obtaining funding (as we are a non-profit). If you do not want to be in any photos, please let us know and we will be certain to respect this. It is important to us that our events feel safe and that everyone who attends feels comfortable.
Venue Accessibility
Our event venue is PLATF9RM (pronounced ‘platform nine’) which is located on the fifth floor of Tower Point at the top of North Road in Brighton, next to the North Road Car Park Entrance and close to the junction with Queen’s Road.
The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, with a lift up the steps to the main entrance and elevators to the fifth floor. Find more accessibility info here.
About Joyfully Different
Our mission is to make business joyful for neurodivergent founders. We’re a non-profit business community and learning hub for neurodivergent business owners, leaders and future founders. We believe self-diagnosis is completely valid – we aim to support everyone who needs us.
Want to find out more about our mission and how to sign up as a member? Head on over to joyfullydifferent.co