David Gustave, known as Dawood Gustave (February 23, 1967), is a British businessman, lawyer, former youth advocate and one-time political figure.
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]
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]
David Gustave, known as Dawood Gustave (February 23, 1967), is a British businessman, lawyer, former youth advocate and one-time political figure.
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]
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]