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Phyllis Akua Opoku-Gyimah, widely known as Lady Phyll, is a pioneering force in the British diversity and inclusion landscape. A passionate advocate for racial, gender and LGBTQ+ equality, she is best known as the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of UK Black Pride, the largest celebration of LGBTQ+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin American descent in Europe. Phyllis has dedicated her career to challenging structural inequality, amplifying underrepresented voices, and creating safe, affirming spaces for marginalised communities to thrive.
Beginning her professional journey in the UK Civil Service, Phyllis worked for the Department for Work and Pensions before channelling her commitment to social justice into activism. Her work gained prominence in the trade union movement, where she served as Head of Political Campaigns & Equality at the Public and Commercial Services Union for over a decade. She also held a seat on the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Race Relations Committee, using her platform to shape policies and champion equity in the workplace. Phyllis later led international human rights work as the Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Trust, advocating for global LGBTQ+ rights from 2019 to 2023.
A fearless leader and voice for intersectionality, Phyllis has garnered national and international recognition. She was named Campaigner of the Year at the European Diversity Awards in 2017 and has featured on the Independent on Sunday Pink List and the World Pride Power List. Acknowledging the complexities of identity and history, Phyllis made headlines in 2016 by publicly refusing an MBE, citing the British Empire’s colonial legacy. Her impact was further honoured with an honorary doctorate from London South Bank University, acknowledging her decades of service to equality and human rights.
As a keynote speaker, Phyllis brings an electric blend of authenticity, experience and strategic insight. She speaks powerfully on intersectionality, systemic discrimination, and community empowerment, with engagements spanning from grassroots events to international conferences. Phyllis continues to shape the narrative around inclusion in her role as CEO of UK Black Pride, inspiring audiences to commit to meaningful change and helping organisations understand that true diversity starts with radical inclusion.
“Phyll is a brilliant and exceptional human rights advocate and is an expert in LGBT+ human rights, intersectionality, race and workers rights and a whole lot more.”
“It was a real privilege to meet and interview Lady Phyll at our bp offices in Sunbury. As executive director of Kaleidoscope Trust and co-founder and director of UK Black Pride, she shared her lived experiences on the intersectionality between ethnicity, sexuality and social mobility, as well as some fantastic insights into equity and active allyship.”
“Wonderful to hear from a black queer woman and the inroads she is making for the community.”
“Phyll is an intelligent campaigner – UK Black Pride is now one of the premier events in the LGBT calendar but it started from humble beginnings with few resources – it has become what it has today thanks to Phyll’s dedication and vision. She is the ultimate team player!”
“Lady Phyll was fabulous. Truly eloquent […] I loved Lady Phyll’s wonderful engagement and heartfelt advice for all of us.”
The Diversity and Inclusion Speakers Agency has been one of the UK’s leading bureaus for inspirational figures of different races, genders, sexualities and abilities since 2020. We supply speakers for corporate and public events across the world, and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes athletes, psychologists, celebrities and more, to ensure that audiences of all industries receive tailored, impactful advice on diversity and inclusion.
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