At the heart of every thriving community is representation, and leadership sets the tone for what is possible. The Catalyst Collective is dedicated to empowering Black girls and young women to step confidently into their power, break through barriers, and transform their communities through mentorship, confidence-building, and leadership development. In a society where Black female graduates face a £3,000 annual pay penalty and young Black Londoners are twice as likely to be unemployed as their white counterparts, their work is more vital than ever. At our Autumn Funder 2026, they will present their vision to expand their mentorship programme, and with your support, they could shape over one hundred future leaders.
The Leadership Gap: Why Representation Matters
In the UK, the challenges facing Black women and girls are stark and systemic. Black women hold just 1.4% of director-level roles in FTSE 100 companies, and only 5% of charity trustees come from BAME backgrounds. Black girls continue to face unequal access to networks, role models, and opportunities in education and employment, compounded by broader systemic inequalities.
Black students are more likely to drop out from higher education and are the least likely to achieve a first or upper second-class degree, with only 21% gaining entry to high tariff institutions compared to 29% of all students (Gov research briefing, 2024). The disparities continue into the workforce, where Black female graduates face a £3,000 annual pay penalty, a 9% gap compared to white women and young Black Londoners are twice as likely to be unemployed as their white counterparts. The Ethnicity Gender Pay Gap further highlights the compounded discrimination that Black and minoritised women experience. The Catalyst Collective is committed to changing this narrative, ensuring that every Black girl and young woman has the support and opportunities she deserves to thrive.
How Mentorship Transforms Futures
The Catalyst Collective delivers a range of programmes designed to nurture and empower. Their Core Mentoring Programme connects over 125 Black girls annually with professional Black women mentors, fostering meaningful relationships that inspire growth. The Open Access Mentoring Programme, expanded to support 13 mentees, reaches those outside partner schools or beyond London, ensuring no one is left behind. Catalyst Connects extends this support to young women aged 18 to 25, guiding them through higher education, employment, and early career transitions, areas where systemic barriers are particularly pronounced.
Enrichment Activities, including Insight Days with corporate partners across creative industries, health, research, and policy fields, provide hands-on experiences that broaden horizons. A Youth Advisory Board, meeting every 4 to 6 weeks, ensures that the programme remains responsive to the needs of the community it serves. Their Autumn Funder 2026 project is focused on strengthening infrastructure and enrichment opportunities, enabling them to support even more Black girls and young women on their journey to leadership.
The Impact
Since launching in 2021, The Catalyst Collective has made a tangible difference in the lives of nearly 400 mentoring pairs. Their mentees have achieved a remarkable 0% permanent exclusion rate, defying national averages for Black girls. The programme’s impact is undeniable, with 100% of mentees and 91% of mentors saying they would recommend it to others. Founder Chloe Lewis’s recognition as Community Impact Leader of the Year at the CCC Awards underscores the collective’s dedication and success.
With £6,000 from our Autumn Funder, they could fund enrichment activities for over 50 young people, invest in staff capacity and systems to support scalable growth, and strengthen mentor engagement and fundraising efforts to ensure long-term sustainability.
Why It Matters
Representation in leadership and education is not just about fairness; it is about justice and economic equity. Research shows that companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their peers, while nonprofits with diverse boards are more effective at serving marginalised communities. The Ethnicity Gender Pay Gap highlights how Black and minoritised women face compounded discrimination in the workplace. The Catalyst Collective is not just training leaders; they are building a movement where Black girls and young women do not just have a seat at the table but are empowered to own the room.
As founder Chloe Lewis shares, “We are not just creating mentoring pairs; we are building a community where every Black girl knows she can dream big and achieve even bigger.”
How You Can Help
There are many ways to contribute to this vital work. Pledge your support at our Autumn Funder 2026, where even a contribution of £25 could help train a future leader. Consider volunteering your time as a mentor, guest speaker, or workshop facilitator, sharing your expertise and experience to inspire the next generation. Advocate for more Black women in leadership by following their journey on Instagram and LinkedIn, or make a direct donation through their website to support their mission.
Join Us
Join us on 1st October 2026 to hear The Catalyst Collective pitch live at our Autumn Funder. This is your opportunity to pledge your support to their mission and be part of a collective effort to fuel the next generation of Black women leaders. The event will take place in London, and together, we can create a future where every Black girl and young woman has the opportunity to thrive.