Phenomenal Black British Women Speakers Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders
I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible women over the course of my business career; women who are disrupting spaces in their own unique ways. I wanted to use this post as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on some voices which resonate powerfully across their industries. These Black British women have broken barriers and been bold throughout their journey and now inspire others to do the same. If you’re a conference booker planning a high-impact corporate event, leadership conference, creative event or entrepreneurial summit, these powerhouse speakers not only bring their lived experiences but also transformative insights that motivate action and ignite change. This curated list of Black British women speakers highlights voices that are shaping industries and empowering future generations with authenticity, resilience and excellence.
Luxury and leadership
Elizabeth Solaru is a trailblazer committed to opening doors in the luxury industry for diverse voices that deserve to be heard. A powerful advocate for inclusive leadership in luxury, she empowers underrepresented entrepreneurs to thrive through innovation, strategy and transformation.
From founding a globally recognised luxury brand to actively reshaping the industry's narrative, Elizabeth proves that excellence and diversity belong at the heart of luxury. She is the best-selling author of The Luxpreneur: How to Start and Build a Successful Luxury Brand, an essential guide for next-generation luxury leaders and CEO of Diversity in Luxury. Through her consultancy, she partners with some of the world’s most influential luxury brands to drive meaningful change and inclusive growth.
Technology and the arts
Mwenya Kawesha is a passionate advocate for ethical AI and equitable innovation, championing both technology and the arts. Currently at Google DeepMind, she brings deep experience in leveraging AI for public good, having led child safety initiatives and strategic operations at Logically and Faculty.
Her early career included strategic consulting at Accenture and global impact work at President Clinton’s Global Initiative. A recognised emerging tech leader, Mwenya has worked with the World Bank, World Economic Forum, and U.S. and UK governments. In 2016, she was invited to speak at The White House and attend President Obama’s London Town Hall, highlighting her long-standing commitment to inclusive global leadership in tech.
Creative Industry and Entertainment
Karla Williams is an award-winning screenwriter and executive producer whose voice spans television, short film, and scripted audio. She has worked on projects for Audible UK, ITV, PSB, Wondery and Amazon Studios and is the founder & CEO of MsMono. Under her leadership, MsMono have produced award-winning short films and narrative music videos that have screened internationally, including at London Short Film Festival, BFI Futures Festival, and Cinequest, with a title now streaming on Amazon Prime. MsMono is also the original production company behind Do Not Disturb, the ground-breaking Black British comedy/drama on Audible UK.
@cue.karla My TV career is not where I thought it would be…. It began in 2020 when I broke into the TV industry. I signed to a top 5 literary agency and secured a development contract with Tall Story Pictures. I went on to secure my first TV credit on the ITV drama Grantchester and my episode was broadcast in February 2024. I had my first writers’ room in May 2024 for an Amazon Studio’s backed show. But May 2024 was the last time I worked in TV. And in July of that year, I parted ways with my agent. I assumed that by securing all the firsts (development deal, great agency, TV credit, being in a writer’s room) that my career would materialise. But that wasn’t the case and I’m now navigating what it actually takes to build a career as a TV screenwriter. It’s been really challenging, and I’ve had to learn to navigate doubt, disappointment, and comparison alongside a variety of other emotions. But I’ve also had to realise the areas where I wasn’t working hard enough and make the necessary changes to grow and develop as a writer. I want to share the journey of what it takes to build a writing career without an agent and in an industry that is currently low on opportunities. But I’m excited about building the career I want and that reflects who I am. I look forward to sharing the journey.
♬ original sound - Karla Williams - Karla Williams Posiuniene
Leadership
Sade Banks-Tubi is a visionary leader and transformation strategist known for disrupting norms with radical generosity. Her work is anchored in creating inclusive spaces where belonging, care, and accountability drive systemic change.
With deep expertise in anti-racist leadership and power dynamics, Sade designs methodologies that dismantle outdated structures and embed equity across teams and institutions. She is the go-to consultant for organisations seeking to move beyond performative inclusion and build cultures of authentic connection and collaboration.
Michelle Moore is a globally recognised leadership coach, speaker, and author at the forefront of race equity and sport for development. Named one of the UK’s 50 Most Influential Women in Sport, Michelle has spent over two decades transforming individuals, teams, and institutions through equity-focused leadership training.
Her award-winning work includes keynote talks for the NBA, UNICEF UK, and The Guardian, and she has led dialogues at the United Nations and the House of Lords. Michelle’s book and coaching programmes empower professionals and organisations to lead with purpose, courage, and inclusion.
Tobi Oredein is an award-winning journalist, media entrepreneur, and international speaker with a focus on race, feminism, beauty politics, and Black British identity. She is the founder and CEO of Black Ballad, the UK’s first Black women’s lifestyle platform to successfully transition to a subscription model.
Through her visionary leadership, Tobi has reshaped British media, creating a space for Black women’s voices to thrive. Her strategic acumen and commitment to representation continue to position Black Ballad as a leading platform in the UK and Europe.
Tamu Thomas is a thought leader in gender equity, leadership and sustainable productivity. She is the author of Women Who Work Too Much: Break Free from Toxic Productivity and Find Your Joy, and is known for her science-backed, trauma-informed approach to creating inclusive, emotionally intelligent workplaces.
Through her coaching, keynotes, and workshops, Tamu empowers leaders—especially women of the global majority—to build cultures rooted in belonging, psychological safety, and joy. She challenges traditional productivity mindsets and advocates for systemic change over self-improvement.
Arts and culture
Saziso Phiri is a curator, producer, and cultural strategist passionate about amplifying artistic voices and growing the visual arts ecosystem. With a distinguished track record in the East Midlands and beyond, she has produced projects across public spaces, galleries, and international platforms.
Her work spans collaborations with both emerging and established artists, always with the goal of engaging diverse audiences and driving cultural impact. Saziso champions creativity as a vehicle for social change, innovation, and community transformation.
As you can see this is a diverse and creative group of women with a vast scope of specialities; there are many more who could have made this list (myself included!) but I wanted to use this as an example of what can be revealed when we pay attention. Each of these women has strong and growing personal brands and they deserve space on stages and in rooms across the world (again myself included! LOL!). Reach out and connect with them and remember Black women speakers are not just for Black History month!
Many of these speakers demonstrate the power of clear messaging and presence; key skills I help clients develop in my media training and personal branding work. Get in touch if you require support in positioning your personal brand.
Are you a professional speaker who’s ready to stand out in a crowded market? Have you just started your public speaking journey and want to ensure that you maximise your potential? Have you been speaking for a while but feel stagnated? Do you want to attract more bookings, increase your speaking fees and grow your influence? This popular 5 week coaching programme is for you.
Over the course of 5 weeks we will clearly identify your public speaking goals and develop a strategy to achieve these goals and achieve results. We will work on building an authentic personal brand that reflects your unique voice, story and values. I will show you how to position yourself as an authority in your niche, crafting a compelling signature message that resonates with audiences and event organisers. We will also look at tactics that you can use to optimise your online presence and attract more speaking engagements and opportunities that align with your mission with or without a speakers bureau representing you.
What is included:
30 minute pre-session mapping or post 5 week debrief call
5 x 60 minute sessions
Working document and strategy framework
Each week we will cover the following areas:
Week 1: How to clarify your personal brand identity: Unearthing your story, defining your purpose and discover what sets you apart.
Week 2: Crafting brand messages: Developing signature talks that connect with audiences. We will practice tone and deliver style.
Week 3: Visual & verbal branding: Align your visuals, tone of voice and style across platforms for instant recognition. We will also identify which key creative elements need work i.e. photography, styling etc.
Week 4: Polish your digital presence: Audit and upgrade your website, LinkedIn, speaker profile and online bio.
Week 5: Build visibility & get booked: Strategies to pitch yourself, build credibility and attract speaking gigs with ease.
Clients who prefer face to face sessions will meet at a location in the royal docks area of East London or a location of your choice subject to covering travel expenses.