The People's Choice Awards Finalists | Junior Beaman

Country: United Kindgom

Company: NatWest

About Junior

Despite a lack of privilege, I found my power. Raised by a single mother from a lower socio-economic background in an area where nobody looked like me, I faced years of challenges and racism, followed by years of homophobia when I came out at just 15 years old. I often felt like I didn’t belong or that I wasn’t enough.

While it’s easy to let these experiences dim our light, I chose to channel that energy differently, to elevate others, to help people celebrate who they are, creating spaces of acceptance without exception, helping them see why they are Remarkable.

What does it mean to you to be a finalist for this award?

#IAmRemarkable aligns with everything I stand for. I have found such joy in creating a space for people to pause and reflect, and acknowledge all the things about themselves that make them unique and remarkable. Being a finalist for this award means so much to me as I feel like it creates visibility for others like me to know that they can step into the light and do the same for others and for themselves. I often say "be what you want to see" and what I want to see is so many more wonderfully diverse people elevating others and celebrating their achievements.

Tell us a bit more about how you’re making an impact through #IAmRemarkable workshops

It would have to be from my first ever session, the session that made me really fall in love with #IAmRemarkable. We know that the exercise can be uncomfortable and that some participants struggle to put pen to paper. In this particular session, one participant couldn't write down more than one thing about themselves that they thought made them remarkable. Because of the space I had created for this team and the psychological safety we had fostered, I witnessed everyone in the room start to tell this individual all of the things they had observed over the years that they think make them truly remarkable. As each emotional statement was shared, the list became longer and longer and the room was filled with positivity and joy. 

Junior’s Nominator says:

Junior is passionate about people and creates a space to have amazing conversations supporting self promotion and inspiring others to share experiences and achievements. He is so willing to support his colleagues across the whole company and delivers a very engaging, inspiring and personal session that ignites energy and belief in those taking part that encourages their own empowerment for changes or confidence. I really enjoyed the session and have used the material with my own team so that even if everyone can’t receive it first hand the message and sentiment has been shared wider with some brilliant examples. The vulnerability Junior brings to his sessions links to his own characteristics & really enables participants to open up and really get beneath the surface of what makes them and others remarkable.