Movers and Shakers | Pamela Roberts, Business Coach, Historian and Storyteller
Meet Pamela Roberts, a business coach, cultural historian, and founder of Black Oxford Untold Stories, a platform dedicated to uncovering and celebrating the overlooked contributions of Oxford’s Black communities.
Blending entrepreneurship, immersive storytelling, and a passion for heritage, she spends her days coaching creative women into bold action, curating historical experiences, and reminding us that untold stories deserve the spotlight. Her multifaceted career empowers women to reclaim their narrative in business, in history, and in life.
Briefly describe what you do, (perhaps by describing a typical day, week, month)
I’m a business coach for creative entrepreneurs, a writer, historian, and founder of Black Oxford Untold Stories, a platform that uncovers and shares the hidden histories of Oxford’s Black scholars and communities.
A typical week might include:
- coaching a creative founder through a new project launch,
- researching archival material for a book,
- guiding a heritage bus tour,
- collaborating with partners like The Randolph Hotel,
- writing scripts for actors to bring history to life through immersive storytelling,
- or even enjoying a delightful afternoon tea, all in the name of research, of course! No two weeks are ever the same, and that’s exactly what I love about it.
What inspired you to pursue your current career path?
In May 2019, I attended a life-changing leadership retreat at the Eden Project. Immersed in nature and supported by world-class coaches, I learned powerful lessons about resilience, authenticity, and the importance of celebrating success. I now use these lessons to empower other women.
One standout moment was a trip to Hemmick Beach. I spotted a bunch of wildflowers growing in a rocky crevice, thriving despite being exposed to sun, rain, and saltwater. They reminded me that we can flourish even in harsh conditions.
That retreat also opened my eyes to how often women downplay their successes, lose their sense of self in the hustle, or prioritise others’ dreams over their own. After returning, I formalised my coaching practice by completing a Corporate and Executive Coaching Diploma with The Coaching Academy.
Today, I coach and mentor women to recognise their power, whether it’s starting a long-nurtured business, relaunching with purpose, or making a bold career change.
I founded Black Oxford Untold Stories out of a deep frustration with whose narratives were being told and whose were missing. I realised advocacy wasn’t enough; I needed to create spaces where those stories could be seen, heard, and celebrated. My career combines my love of history, culture, storytelling, and empowerment.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
The freedom to create and produce work I love.
As a business coach, it’s incredibly fulfilling to witness women’s businesses evolve and their confidence soar.
Through Black Oxford Untold Stories, I bring history to life and make it accessible to wide-ranging audiences. There’s a special joy in seeing people’s eyes light up when they connect with stories, they were never taught but instinctively recognise as meaningful.
What is the most challenging aspect of your work? What strategies have you developed for tackling that challenge?
The constant juggling of running a business means wearing many hats, from finding clients to carving out creative time.
The biggest challenge is recognising when I need to pause and rest to avoid burnout.
As a historian, there’s also the emotional weight of sharing underrepresented histories, especially when those stories mirror my own experiences of marginalisation.
What has been the most defining moment in your career to date?
There have been several:
- Being recognised by the late Queen for outstanding achievement in media
- Publishing two non-fiction books
- Receiving an invitation to the King’s Garden Party for my cultural work
- Launching the first Black Oxford Untold Stories guided bus tour
- Partnering with the iconic Randolph Hotel to curate the “Afternoon Tea and Talk” series.
But above all, the most defining moment was the mindset shift when I finally realised: I’m damn good at what I do. That moment allowed me to stop second-guessing myself, relax, and fully step into my power.
Best piece of career advice you have ever received? And who was it from?
Be unapologetically visible.
It came from a mentor who recognised how much I was shrinking myself to make others comfortable. That advice gave me permission to lead with boldness and clarity.
Away from your work role what are your passions?
I am passionate about travel. I am a self-confessed cruise addict (26 and counting).
This year, I had the honour of being a guest speaker with Fred. Olsen Cruises, delivering a series of talks on Caribbean history and heritage during a month-long transatlantic journey.
I am also a foodie who enjoys fine dining, and I’ve recently developed a love for gardening. There’s something grounding about digging in the soil and watching things grow. It helps me slow down and, quite literally, smell the roses.
What are the 3 (professional or personal) books/websites/ or resources that you would recommend to others?
- The Value in the Valley by Iyanla Vanzant
- Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes
- Succeeding Against the Odds by John H. Johnson
What do you know now that you wish you had known as you started your career?
There are the mantras I now live by and share with my coaching clients:
- It will never be perfect — start now.
- You don’t need to have everything figured out to begin. Progress creates clarity.
- You do You — stop comparing yourself to others.
- Trust your gut.
- You’re not Superwoman — asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Do you have any advice for women entering your industry?
Don’t wait for permission. Trust your ideas. Be visible. Build community.
Surround yourself with people who lift you higher — and protect your energy.
You belong in every room you enter, and the right people will recognise that.
If you were not in this role what would be your alternative career?
I would probably be a cultural curator or creative director in a museum, blending art, archives and storytelling in immersive, impactful ways.
Who in your industry do you admire and why?
I deeply admire Afua Hirsch for her fearless storytelling across journalism, history, and visual media. She challenges narratives, amplifies marginalised voices, and does so with grace and power.
