Partner with us
Help us support the women who need it most
lollipop mentoring exists to address the lack of representation and inequity faced by Black women in leadership. That focus remains at our core. As the industry has evolved, it’s become clear that many more women — particularly at mid-career — are navigating the same challenges, often without the support they need. So we’ve expanded. Today, lollipop continues to centre Black women while opening its doors to support all mid-level women. We connect women with mentors and sponsors who provide access to the guidance, networks, and opportunities that drive real career progression. We’re not funded. We rely on the generosity of partners who believe, as we do, that mentorship is one of the most powerful tools for change.
why this work matters
The numbers are clear — and worth knowing before you decide whether to get involved.
The numbers are clear — and worth knowing before you decide whether to get involved.
- According to the All In Census 2023, 30% of Black people in the UK advertising and marketing industry say they are likely to leave due to a lack of inclusion or discrimination. (Source: All In Census 2023)
- Black professionals make up only 4% of London’s advertising and marketing workforce, with just 2% holding C-suite positions. (Source: [flag for your team to confirm primary source before publishing])
- The McKinsey Women in the Workplace report found that Black women are more likely to be overlooked for promotions compared to their non-Black female colleagues, and are the least likely to benefit from career development and training opportunities.
These are not abstract statistics. They describe the experience of real people in our community every day. lollipop exists to do something about it.
How to get involved
There are several ways to partner with lollipop, depending on what you’re able to offer:
1. Offer mentors Encourage senior people in your organisation to volunteer as lollipop mentors. It’s a meaningful commitment that benefits them as much as it does the mentees they support.
2. Identify mentees Nominate mid-level women in your organisation who would benefit from being matched with an experienced mentor outside your business.
3. Provide space and resources Offer a venue for lollipop events, or access to resources that help us produce valuable content and experiences for our community.
4. Fund the work We are unfunded and rely on financial support to keep going. Investing in lollipop is an investment in the talent pipeline of your industry.
5. Platform our community Give our mentors and mentees the opportunity to speak, present, or participate in panel events — increasing their visibility and yours.
Collaboration with Companies
lollipop offers a range of bespoke services for organisations that want to go further:
- Speed mentoring — for all mid-level staff or specifically designed for Black women in your organisation
- Tailored mentorship programmes — structured six-month cohorts matched to your team’s needs
- Leadership and inclusion guidance — equipping your leaders to work with and develop diverse talent
- Junior internship programmes — supporting the next generation of diverse talent from the ground up
- Company-wide mentoring cohorts — embedding a culture of mentorship across your organisation
To find out more, contact us at info@lollipopmentoring.com
We’d love to build something meaningful with you.