Haki Kapasi came to the UK as a Ugandan refugee in 1972. Her early experiences of racism profoundly shaped her life, igniting a lifelong commitment to equity, justice, and community empowerment. With nearly 40 years of experience, Haki is an accomplished trainer, consultant, and project manager, specialising in facilitation, evaluation, and leadership development. She has worked within the fields of youth work, community development, playwork, and early years education for almost 35 years.
She is the founder of Inspire Consultancy Ltd, through which she has delivered impactful training, research, and consultancy across the UK. Haki has also successfully managed a range of arts and community-based projects. Her personal experiences of racism and systemic inequity as a child have driven her to be a strong advocate for the voiceless—especially children.
A nationally recognised figure in the Playwork sector, Haki has focused her efforts on identifying and challenging the barriers faced by children of colour in accessing play services, as well as addressing the unique challenges experienced by playworkers of colour. Her anti-racist work has been pioneering in shaping inclusive practices within play and early years services. She has also worked closely with charities working with disabled children and young people.
Beyond her professional work, Haki has been a tireless activist in her community. She was elected President eight times, has organised numerous local, national, and international events, and served as editor of her community’s international newsletter—amplifying voices and building solidarity across borders.
A lifelong learner, Haki draws inspiration from many sources, especially her parents and her mentor, Jack Guillebeaux of the Federation of Childcare Centres of Alabama, whose work in social justice and profound understanding of the dynamics of oppression and internalised oppression has deeply influenced her. Today, she continues her anti-racist advocacy as a member of Kings Heath United Against Racism, where her commitment to justice and equity finds new forms of expression.
When asked about the motivation behind their activism, Haki says:
“As children, we experienced persistent racism, some of it quite brutal. I didn’t want another child of colour to go through what I went through.”
