Gamal Turawa

Gamal Turawa, affectionately known as ‘G’ to those familiar with his journey, has carved a niche for himself as a vanguard for LGBT+ rights and a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Born into the challenging environs of the UK care system as a foster child in the 1960s and a survivor of physical child abuse, G’s adversities only multiplied upon joining London’s Metropolitan Police Service. As the UK’s first openly Black, gay police officer, he encountered an onslaught of racial profiling, homophobia, and harassment. These struggles were poignantly depicted in the Bafta-winning short film ‘The Black Cop’, where G courageously explores his harrowing experiences, laying bare the harsh realities of being a minority within a minority in a high-profile career.

Before becoming a luminary in the field of DEI, G’s journey was marked by a tumultuous childhood that saw him navigating the complexities of the UK care system, surviving physical abuse, and enduring homelessness on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria. These experiences, though harrowing, imbued him with an unparalleled strength and determination, which eventually led him back to the UK and into a commendable career with London’s Metropolitan Police Service. Over a span of 25 years, including fourteen years dedicated to training on Diversity, Inclusion, and Personal Development, G not only shattered ceilings as the UK’s first openly gay Black police officer but also impacted thousands of officers worldwide through his association with the National Police Improvement Agency and other prestigious institutions.

Today, G stands as the Founder, Managing Director, and Lead Facilitator of Purple Frog Connections, transforming his trials into a source of strength and enlightenment for others. Through his organisation, he spearheads critical dialogues on diversity and inclusion, urging the importance of open, honest, and brave conversations. His workshops not only serve as platforms for awareness but are instrumental in inspiring teams and organisations towards embracing meaningful change and cultivating environments where inclusivity is not just encouraged but celebrated. G’s life story, thus, serves as a beacon of resilience, self-discovery, and the undeniable power of transformative communication in effecting societal change.

G’s retirement from the police service in 2018 did not mark the end of his advocacy but rather the beginning of a new chapter with Purple Frog Connections. Through his work in roles such as Associate Trainer for the European Fundamental Rights Agency, G utilises his vast experiences to empower, enable, and inspire individuals across the globe to find their truths and forge their paths. His life, underscored by compassion, empathy, and a deep respect for the narratives that shape our collective and individual identities, stands as a testament to the transformative power of personal adversity turned into collective advocacy. In doing so, Gamal Turawa continues to illuminate the path for countless others, advocating for a world where diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just ideals, but lived realities.