PRESENTING THE 

Your Guide To Contributing to The Agenda

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About The Agenda

The Agenda is the Black Management Forum’s digital platform for bold thinking and visionary leadership. It thrives on the diverse insights of Black professionals and leaders across South Africa and the continent.

This page outlines how you can share your original content—insightful, courageous, and grounded in lived experience—to help shape the conversations that matter. We believe your voice plays a vital role in reflecting the ambitions, challenges, and breakthroughs driving a more inclusive and just South African economy.

If you’re passionate about leadership, industry innovation, or economic justice—and ready to contribute perspectives that are honest, empowering, and deeply rooted in professional experience—read on. The guidelines below will help us amplify your voice.

Who Can Contribute

 

The Agenda is open to contributors who share our commitment to transformation, ethical leadership, and the advancement of black professionals in South Africa and beyond.

 

We welcome submissions from:

  • BMF Members at all stages of their professional journeys—from students and young professionals to executives and stalwarts.
  • Sector Leaders and Practitioners with insights from business, government, civil society, academia, or entrepreneurship.
  • Policy Influencers and Advocates who shape, challenge, or advance transformation discourse.
  • Partners and Collaborators who are actively involved in campaigns, programmes, or research aligned to BMF’s mission.

What We Publish

The Agenda publishes clear, compelling articles that offer insight, shift thinking, or start necessary conversations within the context of black leadership, transformation, and economic justice.

Your content should aim to:

Personal Perspective

Share a real experience that changed how you think, lead, or show up. We want stories that are honest, reflective, and grounded in lived insight.

Sector Perspective

Offer observations or analysis from your industry or area of work. What trends, challenges, or shifts are you seeing—and what do they mean for transformation?

Policy & Leadership Thinking

Engage critically with policies, strategy, or leadership practices. Bring fresh, informed thinking to questions of equity, governance, or innovation.

Bold Solutions

We value constructive thinking. Go beyond commentary and bring ideas that spark dialogue, shift mindsets, or inspire change.

Finding Your Voice on The Agenda:

Tone: Clarity, Conviction, and Credibility

Speak with Conviction

Don't shy away from saying what truly matters. We're looking for confident and direct perspectives, not diluted opinions or corporate jargon. Let your conviction shine through.

Communicate with Clarity

Imagine you're explaining your ideas to an intelligent friend who isn't in your field. Keep your language accessible, steer clear of unnecessary jargon, and avoid getting lost in overly academic tangents.

Rooted in Reality

Let your experience be your guide. Share insights derived from what you've personally lived, led, or learned. Authenticity resonates more than abstract theories.

Think Deeply (Be Reflective)

Take a moment to truly consider your message before you write. We value thoughtful depth and insightful analysis over immediate reactions. Let your insights land with impact.

Maintain Professionalism

Remember, The Agenda is a platform of the Black Management Forum. Ensure your writing reflects this through correct grammar, respectful language, and well-organised paragraphs. Craft your words with care and pride.

Embrace Your Authenticity

Your unique voice is what makes your perspective valuable. Write in your natural style—avoid sounding like a press release, a chatbot, or something designed to please an algorithm. Let your genuine voice be heard.

What Not to Submit

To ensure The Agenda remains a valuable and credible resource, we have specific guidelines regarding submissions.

We do not accept:

While we appreciate your expertise, our readers are looking for accessible insights and perspectives, not heavily cited research papers or formal academic essays.

To keep The Agenda vibrant, we prioritise fresh thinking and unique voices. Generic or AI-generated content doesn’t resonate with our audience.

To offer our readers unique value, content that has already been published elsewhere should be thoughtfully revised and tailored to The Agenda’s specific style and audience.

While we value your work, The Agenda is a space for sharing ideas and insights, not for direct promotion of products, services, or personal brands.

We encourage thoughtful critique, but for your message to have impact, it should be grounded in constructive ideas and contribute to a broader conversation, rather than just expressing frustration.

Submission Process

While the submission process is clear, we prioritise insightful, credible, and original contributions. Here are the necessary steps:

Prepare Your Article

Write your piece (800–1,200 words) following our style guidelines. Use a clear, concise title and limit subheadings. Include your name, relevant title, and a brief one-line bio at the end.

STEP 1

Email Your Submission

Send your article as a Word Doc to BMFPublications@bmfonline.co.za. Use the subject line: “The Agenda Submission – [Your Name]”.

STEP 2

Editorial Feedback

Expect to receive feedback from our team within 7–10 working days. We may suggest edits for tone, structure, or clarity.

STEP 3

Final Submission Package

After revisions (if any), please send the final article along with: A professional headshot (PNG); Your LinkedIn profile link; and Your BMF profile link.

STEP 4

Publication and Promotion

Upon receipt of the required materials, your article will be published on The Agenda and shared across the Black Management Forum's digital platforms, including LinkedIn, Facebook, and our WhatsApp channel.

STEP 5

Engage with Our Community

We encourage you to share your published article within your network and actively participate in any comments or discussions. We may also invite you for future themed editions or interviews to further amplify your expertise.

STEP 6

Lead the thinking.

Whether you're a seasoned executive, a rising changemaker, or someone with lived experience worth sharing—The Agenda is open to you.

Submit your article to: bmfpublications@bmfonline.co.za

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