Sponsorship is the rocket fuel that helps high potential employees to advance their careers. It requires an influential person in a senior position to advocate for and direct opportunities to a more junior member of the team.
While this is nothing new and most senior leaders will have benefited from this informally at some point in their career, Black professionals often lack these informal networks and support systems. Formal sponsorship programs aim to bridge this gap by empowering the next generation of leadership. This toolkit is designed to support you on that journey.
Using The BRiM Sponsorship Toolkit
This toolkit contains two key sections:
- The first (pages 6-17) is an overview of how sponsorship works, as well as some of the things to take into consideration as you design your programme.
- The second section (pages 18-86), contains a customisable programme, with materials and resources to support in delivery. From how to develop a code of conduct to suggested reading materials, canvases, and touchpoints. It is designed to be flexible. To that end, not all of the materials may be applicable to your organisation – make sure you work closely with your HR team before, and during, the process to ensure the best fit.
Wherever you are in your organisation, these assets can help your leadership/I&D network kickstart your own sponsorship programme or enhance programmes already in operation.
Customisable BRiM Sponsorship Programme
This is an innovative sponsorship programme that brings a fresh perspective to sponsorship. Designed for mid-level Black professionals in the UK marketing industry, our aim is to reduce systemic barriers and accelerate the careers of promising talent. It is important to understand that sponsorship is not about correcting faults, it is about providing access and opportunity to groups that have been previously excluded. By supporting these communities, we can radically change our industry. We are empowering next generation leadership.
- Preparation: A set of resources to set yourself, and the cohort up for success.
- Phase 1 The Big Picture: This starting point encourages sponsees to take a look at what is important to them and their vision for their future.
- Phase 2 The Pathway: This requires the sponsee and the sponsor to identify what steps to take to achieve the success highlighted in their vision.
- Phase 3 Taking Action: This crucial phase is where the sponsor should leverage their network and open doors for the sponsee.
- Phase 4 Looking Back: At the end of the programme both the sponsor and sponsee should reflect on each step and share feedback.
The BRiM Sponsorship Programme – March 2025
BRiM has is also delivering another cross-industry sponsorship programme for businesses to enrol mid-level Black employees and their senior sponsors. Based on content from the BRiM Sponsorship Toolkit, the programme will include full onboarding, monthly workshops, a community platform for participants to connect and post-programme reporting. Registrations for the September cohort are now closed, but you can register for the next cohort in March 2025. Please email inclusion@adassoc.org.uk or click here to learn more.
