Jassa Ahluwalia

Jassa Ahluwalia is an actor, author, broadcaster and cultural commentator whose work explores identity, representation and the power of language in modern Britain. Best known for his role as Rocky in the BBC Three series 'Some Girls' and for creating the influential #BothNotHalf movement, Jassa has become one of the UK’s most engaging voices on mixed heritage identity and social inclusion. He is regularly hired as a keynote speaker for education conferences, diversity and inclusion events, literary festivals, leadership summits and media industry discussions, where he combines personal storytelling with sharp cultural analysis. His talks are known for being thoughtful, humorous and highly practical, giving audiences new ways to think about identity, belonging and communication in increasingly diverse workplaces and communities.

Born to a British mother and Indian father, Jassa’s experiences growing up mixed heritage shaped much of his later work and advocacy. He developed a deep interest in how language influences identity, perception and opportunity. This focus became central to his public speaking and writing, particularly through his challenge to the phrase “half” when describing mixed-ethnicity people. Alongside acting credits including 'Planet Of The Apes: Last Frontier' and the Soho Theatre production 'Herding Cats', Jassa brings extensive experience behind the scenes within the arts and heritage sectors. He has consulted on 'The Last Princesses of Punjab' exhibition, provided Punjabi translations and dialect coaching for 'The Psychic', and is a member of both the Society of Authors and The Green Party. 

Jassa’s profile has expanded significantly through his work across television, publishing and live events. In 2024, he published 'Both Not Half: A Radical New Approach to Mixed Heritage Identity', further establishing him as an important voice in discussions around race and identity in Britain. The same year, he won Best Narrator at the Audio Production Awards and was elected to the Equity Council, reflecting both industry respect and his influence within the creative sector. His 2021 TEDx talk, 'Both Not Half: How language shapes identity', has gained more than 250,000 views, while his BBC One documentary 'Am I English?' earned him an Asian Media Award. He has also appeared at major cultural events, including the Jaipur Literature Festival, Wimbledon BookFest and the Festival of Education, where he took part in a fireside chat with David Olusoga.

Organisations hire Jassa Ahluwalia because he delivers conversations that are intelligent, emotionally resonant and socially relevant, while remaining accessible to a wide range of audiences. His background in performance gives him exceptional stage presence and audience connection, while his understanding of language, representation and social narratives makes him a compelling speaker on topics linked to communication, inclusion and cultural change. These themes also position him as a strong speaker for conversations around AI and emerging technologies, particularly where bias, language systems, and representation intersect. To hire Jassa for your next event, contact Champions Speakers today!