David Gustave
David Gustave, known as Dawood Gustave (February 23, 1967), is a British businessman, lawyer, former youth advocate and one-time political figure.
Early life and education[edit]
Gustave is of mixed Irish and St. Lucian heritage. He was raised in Peckham, London where he suffered verbal and physical abuse from neighbours.[1] At 16,he left school. That same year, unable to cope with a difficult relationship with his father, he also left home.[1]
At age 30, Gustave enrolled in an adult education course where he took ‘A’ level and undergraduate equivalency courses.[1] Among the external readers of a research paper he wrote was an Oxford University professor who encouraged him to apply to Oxford. At age 32, Gustave enrolled as an undergraduate to study history at Wadham College.[2]
Career[edit]
After Oxford, Gustave won a number of scholarships from the Middle Temple to pursue a career at the Bar. [2] He started working with young gang members at Kids Company as an Educational Motivator.[3]
Gustave has been described as a ‘Social Visionary’.[2] He was featured in Channel 4's ‘Disarming Britain’ debate alongside Dawn Butler, Dominic Grieve and Peter Hitchens[4] and in the ‘CNN Heroes’ Series alongside Russell Symonds.[5]
Gustave states ‘he is not content with fulfilling his own ambitions, but is determined to help others to set and reach theirs’.[2] Gustave has been described in the media as the ‘British Obama’[1][6][7] Gustave is a member of the Labour Party.[2]
Gustave founded Reluctantly Brave[8] in 2012[9] to guide leaders and businesses to reach braver goals - to be successful through being their true, radically authentic selves. As CEO of Reluctantly Brave he advises companies from start-ups to multinationals on leadership, strategy and creativity.[10]
Awards and honours[edit]
- 2018: Financial Times / EMPower Top 100 Ethnic Minority Leaders, placed 30th[11][12]
- 2017: Financial Times / EMPower Top 100 Ethnic Minority Leaders, placed 62nd[13][14]
- 2009: One of the 100 people who make Britain a happier place.[15]
- 2008: Evening Standard's list of the 1000 most influential people in London[16]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Cohen, David. "Can this 'British Obama save us from knife Crime?", The Evening Standard, London, 9 June 2008.
- ^ a b c d e Straw, Will. "David Gustave", GQ Style, London, 1 March 2010.
- ^ Casciani, Dominic. "Voices of Muslim Youth", BBC News, London, 4 August 2005.
- ^ Snow, John. "Disarming Britain", Channel 4, London, July 2008.
- ^ Author, Unknown. "CNN Heroes", CNN, July 2008.
- ^ Naysmith, Stephen "UK Obama to visit Glasgow", Glasgow Herald, 15 April 2010.
- ^ Author, Unknown. "Can this 'British Obama fights London Crime", Chinichi Shibum, Tokyo, 11 November 2008.
- ^ "Reluctantly Brave". Reluctantly Brave. Retrieved 2019-03-15.
- ^ "RELUCTANTLY BRAVE LIMITED - Overview (free company information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-03-15.
- ^ "About Us". Reluctantly Brave. Retrieved 2019-03-15.
- ^ Bell, Amy (2018-05-31). "UK advertising leader tops ethnic minority executives list". Financial Times. Retrieved 2019-03-15.
- ^ "100 Ethnic Minority Executives 2018 | EMpower". www.out-standing.org. Retrieved 2019-03-15.
- ^ "Ranking: EMpower 100 ethnic minority leaders". Financial Times. 2017-05-24. Retrieved 2019-03-15.
- ^ "100 Ethnic Minority Executives 2017 | EMpower". www.out-standing.org. Retrieved 2019-03-15.
- ^ Thiruchelvam, Sharon "The 2009 Happy List", Independent on Sunday, 19 April 2009.
- ^ Society Pages "The 1000: Londons most Influential 2009", The Evening Standard, London, 8 October 2008.