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 Gustave is of mixed Irish and St. Lucian heritage. He was raised in Peckham, London and Bermondsey where he suffered racial abuse from neighbours and learned about violence and aggression as a survival tool,.Cohen, David. "Can this 'British Obama save us from knife Crime?", The Evening Standard, London, 9 June 2008. At 16, he left school. That same year, unable to cope with his environment, he also left home.
At age 30, Gustave enrolled in an adult education course where he took ‘A’ level and undergraduate equivalency courses. 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.
Career After Oxford, Gustave won a number of scholarships from the Middle Temple to pursue a career at the Bar.Straw, Will. "David Gustave", GQ Style, London, 1 March 2010. He started working with young gang members at Kids Company as an Educational Motivator.Casciani, Dominic. "Voices of Muslim Youth", BBC News, London, 4 August 2005.
Gustave has been described as a ‘Social Visionary’. He was featured in Channel 4's ‘Disarming Britain’ debate alongside Dawn Butler, Dominic Grieve and Peter HitchensSnow, John. "Disarming Britain", Channel 4, London, July 2008. and in the ‘CNN Heroes’ Series alongside Russell Symonds.Author, Unknown. "CNN Heroes", CNN, July 2008.
Gustave states ‘he is not content with fulfilling his own ambitions, but is determined to help others to set and reach theirs’. Gustave has been described in the media as the ‘British Obama’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. Gustave is a member of the Labour Party.
Gustave founded Reluctantly Brave in 2012 to guide leaders and businesses to be successful through being their authentic selves. As CEO of Reluctantly Brave, he advises companies from start-ups to multinationals on leadership, strategy and creativity.
Awards and honours 2018: Financial Times / EMPower Top 100 Ethnic Minority Leaders, placed 30th 2017: Financial Times / EMPower Top 100 Ethnic Minority Leaders, placed 62nd 2009: One of the 100 people who make Britain a happier place.Thiruchelvam, Sharon "The 2009 Happy List", Independent on Sunday, 19 April 2009. 2008: Evening Standard's list of the 1000 most influential people in LondonSociety Pages "The 1000: Londons most Influential 2009", The Evening Standard, London, 8 October 2008.
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