Lady Phyll
For Black History Month, Future Figures recognises those members who are giving back to the Black community, and a spotlight on amazing individuals making Black history now.
As Part of Black History Month 1Xtra once again celebrates its Future Figures. Future Figures is a way to recognise those members who are giving back to the Black community, and a time to celebrate the countless acts that are taking place up and down the country today by those who are helping to create the black history of tomorrow.
Phyll Opoku-Gyimah is the nucleus of the award-winning celebration and protest that is UK Black Pride. Widely known as Lady Phyll 鈥� partly due to her decision to reject an MBE in the New Year鈥檚 Honours' list to protest Britain鈥檚 role in formulating anti-LGBTQI+ penal codes across its empire 鈥� she was also the executive director of Kaleidoscope Trust, an organisation working to uphold the human rights of LGBTQI+ people around the world; a community builder and organiser; an Albert Kennedy Trust patron, and a public speaker focusing on race, gender, sexuality and class. With an honorary doctorate recognising her exceptional contributions, Lady Phyll's over two decades of dedication to human rights advocacy have left an indelible mark. She's regularly called upon to advise nascent LGBTQI+ organisations around the world to help leaders create cogent organising strategies, establish robust partnership networks and work effectively in service of the LGBTQI+ community and inspire all who strive for equality and justice.
She is also the co-founder and CEO of UK Black Pride, Europe鈥檚 largest pride celebration for LGBT+ people of colour. Phyll is an experienced community builder and organiser; an Albert Kennedy Trust patron, and a writer and public speaker focusing on race, gender, sexuality and class.
Lady Phyll is also the Secretary for TCEN - The Commonwealth Equality Network; a network of organisations challenging inequality based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics. The Network was set up to give a global voice to LGBTI+ communities across the Commonwealth and to support joint advocacy to provide an answer to the colonial legacy of homophobia 鈥� a Commonwealth solution to a Commonwealth problem.
