Bio
Shammi Rahman is an accomplished Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) speaker and consultant with over 22 years of leadership, teaching and advisory experience.
As Race Equality Adviser with HFL Education, Shammi has dedicated her career to supporting educational and business organisations to embed anti-racist practices, foster inclusive environments, and address systemic inequalities.
Shammi’s extensive experience in education, curriculum development, and advisory roles positions her as a trusted partner for organisations looking to create inclusive environments. Her ability to inspire leaders, generate fresh ideas, and help organisations overcome challenges sets her apart. Shammi works to alleviate the stresses caused by cultural misunderstandings and complaints, providing actionable solutions to foster harmony and productivity.
Whether through keynote speeches, training workshops, policy development, or leadership coaching, Shammi helps organisations become self-sufficient in problem-solving, empowering them to address EDI challenges effectively and confidently.
Shammi’s passion, combined with her academic and professional expertise, ensures her clients are equipped to navigate the complexities of diversity and inclusion while building equitable and thriving environments.
Enhance racial literacy, address unconscious bias, and build confidence in discussing diversity and inclusion topics.
Equip teams with tools to understand and explore systemic and structural racism and its impact on workplace culture and practices.
Help teams to build inclusive practices for sustained high performance.
Empower leaders to embed anti-racist practices into their ethos, values, and operations.
Support inclusive recruitment, retention, and development strategies.
Help senior leaders develop an inclusive leadership practice.
Provide guidance on reviewing policies to identify and address bias.
Assist in aligning organisational frameworks with EDI goals to foster equitable opportunities for all.
Develop teams to understand and meet the needs of diverse communities.
Offer guidance on culturally sensitive communication and service delivery to improve engagement.
Equip staff with tools to identify, address, and prevent prejudice-related issues or discrimination.
Offer solutions to navigate resistance and foster meaningful cultural change.
Help organisations build trust and stronger relationships with diverse staff.
Create pathways for effective communication and engagement.
Shammi Rahman is a seasoned keynote speaker, trusted by leading organisations, conferences, and educational institutions to deliver compelling and thought-provoking presentations on race equity, religion, diversity, and inclusion. Her engaging delivery style and deep subject-matter expertise have inspired a range of audiences.
Speaker at secondary schools across Hertfordshire over the past three years.
Delivered keynotes on race equity at headteachers’ conferences for organisations such as Milton Keynes Council, Bucks Schools Trust, and Unity Schools Partnership.
Featured speaker at the National Conferences for DiverseED on “Religion and the Curriculum.”
Delivered keynotes on religion and race for esteemed institutions like Aston University, UCL, and King’s College London.
Celebrated the Religious Education Council’s 50th anniversary panel discussions alongside Dame Rachel DeSouza.
Speaker at the NASACRE conference on Religious Education and Controversial Issues.
Speaker for The Church of England Education team on the need for diverse voices and the role of both RE and CW in preventing faith-based bullying.
Scheduled to speak on Religious Tolerance and Diversity at the Open University.
Partnered with the Independent Schools Association to provide annual race equality training for over 630 private schools.
Worked with Mary Myatt and Co., delivering impactful content to thousands of school leaders nationwide.
Associate trainer for Diverse Educators and Diversity Marketplace.
Frequent contributor to BBC Three Counties Radio on topics related to race, religion, and education.
Delivered keynotes for OCR Exam Board, national curriculum events, and interfaith initiatives.
Shammi’s keynote addresses are meticulously tailored to resonate with diverse audiences, providing actionable insights and fostering meaningful conversations. Whether speaking to educators, policymakers, or community leaders, Shammi’s words inspire change and empower action.
With a BA in Religious Studies, a PGCE in Secondary Education from King’s College London, and a Master’s in Religious Education from UCL, Shammi combines academic expertise with pragmatic experience. Her professional journey has included serving as a leader in secondary education, working as an education consultant for Milton Keynes Council, and contributing to national boards such as the Children’s Commissioner for England’s Advisory Board and the expert advisory group for RE at Oak National Academy.
Fluent in Bengali and with conversational fluency in Urdu and Hindi, Shammi offers deep cultural insight and understanding of diverse communities, making her a sought-after speaker and consultant for organisations aiming to improve EDI practices.
Shammi Rahman is a recognised thought leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a particular focus on cultural heritage, race equity, and education. Through her insightful articles and podcasts, she inspires reflection, fosters understanding, and drives meaningful change in schools and organisations.
Examining the role of religious education in addressing the underlying causes of social unrest and fostering understanding in diverse communities.
https://www.sec-ed.co.uk/content/blogs/riots-race-religion-the-role-of-re-in-responding-to-the-riots
A thought-provoking conversation hosted by the Children’s Commissioner, discussing the vital role of religious education in promoting diversity, equity, and interfaith understanding.
https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/resource/conversation-with-shammi-rahman-the-importance-of-religious-education/
Highlighting the resilience and experiences of our grandparents, this piece underscores the importance of preserving intergenerational wisdom.
https://www.hfleducation.org/blog/untold-stories-our-grandparents
Exploring the role of personal experiences and worldviews in shaping educational approaches and discussions on identity.
https://reformingre.wordpress.com/2022/09/29/who-can-speak-personal-knowledge-worldviews-and-education/
Addressing common pushback against diversity and inclusion work and how to respond with clarity, strategy, and confidence.
https://www.diverseeducators.co.uk/lets-talk-about-the-criticisms-of-edi-work/
A reflection on how religious education can be a powerful tool for promoting inclusivity and respect within schools.
https://www.reonline.org.uk/2021/02/23/inspired-by-powerful-re-shammi-rahman/
Discussing the importance of confronting difficult topics in the classroom to foster critical thinking and open dialogue.
https://www.reonline.org.uk/2022/01/18/lets-not-shy-away-from-addressing-controversial-issues-in-the-classroom/
A step-by-step account of creating a Youth SACRE to give young people a voice in religious education and faith matters.
https://www.reonline.org.uk/2019/11/15/how-i-set-up-a-youth-sacre-in-milton-keynes-shammi-rahman/
Celebrating the enduring cultural and musical contributions of the Windrush generation and their impact on Britain’s identity.
https://www.hfleducation.org/blog/windrush-generation-and-their-musical-legacy
“When we listen and celebrate what is both common and different, we become wiser.”
— Patricia G. Hurn
