TOP 10 - CHARITY / CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY
Asian People's Disability Alliance
The Asian People’s Disability Alliance (APDA) is a user-led registered charity of Asian Disabled People
Providing culturally sensitive support and services to London’s disabled communities for over 30 years. They were granted Special Consultative Status with the Economic & Social Council of the United Nations in 2007 for its work in the Disability Field.
Bayo Adelaja
Bayo Adelaja is the founder and Chief Executive of Do it Now Now, a Community Interest Company based in London, UK. Bayo benefits from a strong academic background having achieved two Masters degrees from the London School of Economics, specialising in theories of sociology and social policy.
This follows her undergraduate experience at Durham University where she studied English Literature, proud to have had the opportunity to study at the same university as her Grandfather who was both a preacher and a teacher.
Bayo is deeply inspired by the potential for a better future and feels called to contribute to that with specific focus on the Black community in the UK who face systemic and institutional barriers.
Black Minds Matter UK
Black Minds Matter UK is a registered charity connecting Black individuals and families with free 121 talking therapy delivered by qualified and accredited Black therapists.
Our purpose is to create and champion safe and accessible mental health support with, and for the Black community.Our three pillars of impact are therapy, awareness raising through education and advocating for systems change in statutory services.
We are working towards a seeing a community of Black people readily accessing mental health support, recovering fully from mental illness and thriving.
Funke Abimbola MBE
Funke is a Corporate Lawyer, global DEI Leader, C-suite executive, BBC commentator and Non-Executive Director.
Her contributions towards improving outcomes for those from under-represented communities has been significant through numerous voluntary roles including being a Senior Volunteer for UK charity Speakers for Schools, Founder of the Akindolie Medical Scholarship (supporting UK-based minority ethnic medical students) and co-host of The Power of Privilege and Allyship podcast (with her son, Max Abimbola). Her best-selling book, ‘Climbing Mountains: My 5-Stage Journey to Resilient Leadership’ was published in December 2023.
In 2017, Funke was awarded an MBE for services to diversity and young people.
Halima Begum
An international humanitarian and CEO of Oxfam GB, in the last few months Halima has been in Palestine and South Sudan to support communities enduring some of the most devastating global crises. A disabled Muslim woman, as a little girl her eyesight was partially saved only when London’s British-Bangladeshi community protested for her to receive the health care she was entitled to as the child of Commonwealth citizens – sensitising Halima from an early age to the power of communities. Previously CEO of the Runnymede Trust, the UK’s race equality think-tank, Halima is also widely respected for her leadership on domestic equalities and civil rights matters, including her tireless efforts through the pandemic to ensure racially minoritised communities were prioritised for the Covid vaccine.
Jehangir Malik OBE
Jehangir Malik OBE, a Civil Society Social Impact leader and Strategic Advisor with 30+ years of experience leading a range of civil society organisations across UK, USA and South Asia. Director British Muslim Civil Society Initiative, highlighting the role of faith communities in strengthening civil society. Recent roles included Strategic Adviser to UNICEF South Asia on philanthropy and supporting diaspora engagement in the region, VCSEP Director at British Red Cross during the COVID-19 crisis and leading organizations like Muslim Aid and Islamic Relief UK.
Jehangir holds various Board and Commissioner positions, including the Cardiff Centre for Study of Islam in UK & Commission for the Integration of Refugees.
Consort to The Mayor of Solihull
Lydia Amoah
Lydia Amoah is the Founder & CEO of Backlight, a research consultancy, & The Black Pound Report. She is an expert in cultural audience intelligence & specialises in understanding the spending power, habits, & behaviours of Black, Asian, & Multi-Ethnic audiences. Lydia’s groundbreaking Black Pound Report & the UK’s first media planning tool created by a Black woman demonstrates her pioneering approach to helping businesses connect with these lucrative markets. Under her guidance, Backlight has empowered major brands such as News UK & Channel 4 to leverage these insights, driving significant ROI & attracting new business. Her work resulted in successful campaigns for clients like the NHS, Tom Ford, & Tesco. Lydia is dedicated to showcasing the economic power of these audiences.
Natalie & Naomi Evans
Naomi and Natalie Evans are a dynamic duo who are making a powerful impact on the fight against racism in the UK. In May 2020, a video of Natalie confronting two men racially abusing a ticket conductor went viral sparking a movement that would become known as @everydayracism_, an anti-racism platform on Instagram with over 220k followers. Through this platform they provide educational content and awareness of racial inequality as a catalyst for change.
Naomi and Natalie are also the authors of the non-fiction book “The Mixed-Race Experience” published by Penguin Books (2022) and “Everyday Action, Everyday Change” a children’s book published by Hachette (2023). Their anti-racism work has been featured in various publications such as Red magazine, Grazia, BBC News and the i-paper.
Sadique Maskeen
The origin of the business was on the basis of halal food. As a Muslim, I often have the issue of not having any halal food available at events or awards which means I am left with the vegetarian option. Then a good friend of mine suggested, that why don’t I write a book about Halal food. So I did, titled “What is a Muslim”. This is a digital book explaining the 5 Pillars of Islam, Eid Celebrations, Friday prayers, and of course information about halal foods.
As I didn’t want to sell this book, the idea then came to me to help businesses in all sectors be more inclusive and promote diversity is to offer them their own prayer/well-being mats with their logo embroidered into the mat, and then offer the book for free with each purchase.
This mat is inclusive and for all to use.
Samantha Ming
As an inclusion officer in 2019, Samantha continued to drive positive change within the organization. She coordinated a career development program for black, Asian, and minority ethnic colleagues, played an instrumental part in advancing the inclusion strategy and led a reciprocal mentoring program. Samantha also oversaw all staff networks, further enhancing diversity and inclusion efforts within the organisation.
In her current role as an inclusion manager, Samantha’s portfolio includes a focus on inclusive career development framework. She is responsible for talent management, career conversations, and mentorship programs, positive action programs, inclusion campaigns like see me first, diversity event planning within the organisation.