Phyll Opoku-Gyimah

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, also known as Lady Phyll, is a British political activist, public speaker and presenter who is known for her work on racial, gender and LGBTQ+ equality. Phyll is famed for being the co-founder and Executive Director of the UK Black Pride, her Pioneering activist work has helped change the lives of thousands of people for the better – giving them a safe space to share their achievements and success without being discriminated against.

It was clear Phyll was destined for greatness from early on in her career – during school she was involved in politics and then went on to work for the Department for Work and Pensions Benefit Fraud, and then became the Head of Political Campaigns and Equality for 11 years. During her time within the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), Phyll used her expertise to negotiate with the cabinet office on equality rights and prioritised contributing policies on equal rights and opportunities, and discrimination law. All of her work has made her one of Britain’s most prominent lesbian activists and she was on the Independent on Sunday’s Pink List 2011 and 2012.

Phyll’s impact on the rights for the LGBTQ+ community has been undeniable. She is dedicated and determined to ensure that the discrimination because of someone’s sexual orientation and/or their gender identity becomes a thing of the past. Phyll’s work for the UK’s Black Pride ensures that people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin American descent are celebrated. Phyll is currently the Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Trust – a non-profit organisation which is focussed on creating a world safe for all. In recognition of all her dedicated work to the lives of people within the LGBTQ+ community, Phyll has been awarded the European Diversity Awards Campaigner of the Year 2017, the Lifetime Achievement Award and was presented with an honorary doctorate by London South Bank University.

Recognising her unwavering devotion to LGBTQ+ rights, she was appointed Grand Marshall of New York Pride and is now also a Micro Rainbow Patron. As one of the most prominent figures advocating for equal rights, Phyll always stands up for what she believes in; true to this, she has been publicly critical of Pride in London, stating there was still work to be done. There is no doubt Phyll will be honest and open when talking about LGBTQ+ rights – if you want to hire a strong woman speaker for your next event, look no further than Phyll Opoku-Gyimah.