‘Black Men on the Couch’

Rotimi Akinsete, an experienced therapeutic counsellor, will be in a round table conversation with guests who have a connection to DMU or Leicester.

Guests include: Professor Ivan Browne, Byron Dixon OBE, Mel Thomas QPM, Jamal Jeffers, Lloyd Luther, and Deano Presto.

Founded by Rotimi Akinsete, Black Men on the Couch focuses on combating mental health stigma and encourages all, but particular men that identify as Black, to openly discuss mental health and think about counselling and therapy as a form of support.

This event has been held nationally at a number of institutions and has been hosted previously by the University of London and Cambridge University.

About the speakers:

· Professor Ivan Browne is Professor of Public Health at De Montfort University. He previously worked as the Director of Public Health at Leicester City Council and was key in leading Leicester through the COVID 19 pandemic.

· Byron Dixon OBE is the founder and CEO of the award-winning brand, Micro-Fresh®- An innovative technology used globally by manufacturers and retailers to protect and preserve the freshness of their products. In 2018, he received an OBE for services to industry and innovation. He is currently a Pro-Chancellor at De Montfort University.

· Mel Thomas QPM is a retired Police Sergeant who spent over 30 years in policing and received the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished services to crown and county. He also participates as a Ground Hunter as part of the Channel 4 series, Hunted.

· Jamal Jeffers is a practising Barrister at KCH Garden Square Chambers in Leicester & Nottingham, specialising in Family law, specifically Child protection matters. Jamal is an alumnus of De Montfort University and is currently a Pro-Chancellor.

· Lloyd Luther is a Leicester rapper and producer. His single Drugs on Tap which was filmed in Leicester, has had over 7 million listens on Spotify and 2.5 million watches on Youtube. Lloyd is an alumnus of De Montfort University, having studied a degree in Music Technology.

· Deano Presto is a Leicester based DJ, composer and songwriter. He is a host for Britain’s Got Reggae (BGR), a national UK competition that promotes UK reggae talent. Deano also works with local artists and supports local shows and events. He is an alumnus of De Montfort University.

Ticket sales will close 1 hour before the event starts on each day.

Please contact the DMU Events Office on if you have any questions.

Host or Publisher De Montfort University