‘JUST GO FOR IT.’

After more than two decades on our screens, June Sarpong has become one of the most recognisable faces on British TV. The presenter, author and diversity campaigner talks about her working-class upbringing, reinventing her career and making ‘lucrative lemonade’.

ON HER CHILDHOOD: I grew up in a vibrant East London working-class community where ethnicity was celebrated. My parents were proud Ghanaian immigrants and were always made to feel welcome here. At my school, there was a real mix of local kids like myself from the council estate and children from upwardly-mobile middle-class families. It wasn’t until I was older that I realised how valuable that upbringing was. I was always comfortable with people from more affluent, privileged backgrounds than myself; I never went into my industry feeling intimidated.

ON HER EARLY CAREER: I was a very talkative child. My school report always said: ‘June is very able but must listen more.’ I’d watch The Oprah Winfrey Show on Channel 4 at 5pm every day and think, ‘Wow, you can get paid to talk!’ When I was 16, I was lucky enough to get work experience at Kiss FM. Small radio station, big opportunities. I started out answering phones – I was basically a one-woman music enquiry service – and, quite quickly, they put me on-air. That changed my life.

My first TV presenting role was on MTV’s Dance Floor Chart. The then-vice-president of programming and production, Christine Boar, was casting female presenters from across the country to represent different audiences: Cat Deeley from Birmingham; Edith Bowman from Scotland; Donna Air from Newcastle. Even though I had no experience in TV, Christine took a chance on me. She was very aware of diversity before it was even a thing.

ON DISCRIMINATION: Back in 1999, there was a photoshoot for SKY magazine entitled ‘MTV ladies’. All my white female counterparts were included but I was left out. The MTV PR team didn’t think I was ‘appropriate’ for a beauty shoot. I was heartbroken. At the time, I had one of the most highly-rated shows on the network, so viewers started calling up, demanding to know why I’d been excluded. A big furore erupted. I went back in, renegotiated my contract and let’s just say I got a nice new kitchen that year! I’ve learned that when life gives you lemons, make lucrative lemonade.

ON HER TOUGHEST MOMENT: I was paid to be young. In my job, youth was my currency. When I hit my 30s, work suddenly dried up. I had to redefine myself. I moved to the States, where nobody knew me, and started all over again. It was both terrifying and liberating. It forced me to try new things and figure out what I was passionate about. In 2010, I co-founded the WIE Network (Women: Inspiration & Enterprise) in New York, a forum for this generation’s leaders to inspire and empower the next, with speakers including Arianna Huffington, Sarah Brown, Donna Karan and Melinda Gates.

‘When life gives you lemons, make lucrative lemonade.’

‘When life gives you lemons,
make lucrative lemonade.’

‘When life gives you lemons,
make lucrative lemonade.’

ON HER CURRENT ROLE: In 2019, I became the BBC’s first Director of Creative Diversity. The BBC is made for all of us, so it should represent all of us, which is why we ring-fenced £112m of commissioning budget for diverse and inclusive content. Over the next few years, expect to see fantastic programmes coming out from new creative talent. My remit was always to set things up, then pass the baton on to someone else, so I’ll be stepping back as soon as we’ve found a successor. Next, I’d love to build my own business. Watch this space!

ON HER STYLE: If I could wear tracksuits 24 hours a day, I would. Wearing heels is just agony so I have a pair of flats with me everywhere I go. I’m in my 40s now and my style has definitely simplified over the years: I tend to go for pencil skirts and form-fitting dresses. I used to buy lots and lots of cheap high-street clothes but now I buy fewer, good-quality items that will stand the test of time. I’m also enjoying ‘shopping’ in my own wardrobe and rediscovering old outfits.

ON MENTORSHIP: I have two wonderful mentors, Baroness McDonagh (the first woman and youngest ever General Secretary of the Labour Party and co-founder of The Pipeline) and Baroness Valerie Amos (the first black woman to serve as a minister in the British Cabinet and in the House of Lords). I collect Baronesses! I always advise people to get a mentor that’s two or three levels above you because they’ll still remember the exact steps that got them to where they are now. It’s also a good idea to get a sponsor. You might only see them two or three times a year but go in with a to-do list; this is about action rather than advice. They will champion your work when you’re not in the room.

ON HER PASSIONS: I’m a huge foodie. I especially love African cuisine. I could eat Jollof rice every day. All my holidays are selected based on food and climate. I'm the kind of person that will drive to the middle of nowhere – no matter how dangerous – for the best chicken sandwich or the best tacos.

ON THE FUTURE OF WORK: The pandemic has proved that flexible working is completely possible and, in some cases, even more productive. But, on the flip side, we know that the majority of women are still taking on the lion’s share of domestic responsibilities and at-home labour. As a society, we need to address that. Workplaces also need to make sure that women don’t pay a promotion penalty for working at home. So much happens as a result of proximity.