Phyll Opoku-Gyimah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Phyll Opoku-Gyimah
|
|
|---|---|
Phyll Opoku-Gyimah at the Southbank Centre in March 2014
|
|
| Born |
Phyllis Akua Opoku-Gyimah
November 1974 (age 50) Islington, London, England
|
| Alma mater | Lea Valley Academy |
| Occupation | Political activist |
| Organisation |
|
| Political party | |
| Awards |
|
Phyllis Akua Opoku-Gyimah (born November 1974), also known as Lady Phyll, is a British activist. She is famous for her important work promoting fairness and equal rights. She champions racial, gender, and LGBT+ equality. Lady Phyll is a co-founder and the Chief Executive of UK Black Pride. She also used to be a leader at the Kaleidoscope Trust.
Contents
Lady Phyll's Early Life and Education
Phyllis Akua Opoku-Gyimah was born in Britain in 1974. She went to Bullsmoor School in Lea Valley. This is where she first became interested in politics and activism. Her family comes from Ghana.
Her Career and Activism
Starting Her Important Work
Lady Phyll began her career working for the government. She later became a co-founder, trustee, and leader of UK Black Pride. This group works to bring together and support Black people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and Latin American descent. It also includes their friends and families who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender.
In 2015, Lady Phyll became a trustee for Stonewall. This charity helps people who are LGBT+. She left this role three years later. This was when Stonewall decided to work with UK Black Pride. Lady Phyll also publicly turned down an award from the Queen in 2016.
Writing and Union Leadership
Lady Phyll helped edit a book called Sista!. It was released in 2018. This book shares writings from 31 different authors. All are LGBT women of African or Caribbean background living in the UK.
She is also well-known in the trade union world. Trade unions are groups that protect workers' rights. She was part of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) race relations committee. Until 2019, she was the Head of Equality at the Public and Commercial Services Union.
In 2019, Lady Phyll became a leader at the Kaleidoscope Trust. This charity works for human rights. She left this role in 2023. She then became the first Chief Executive of UK Black Pride, the group she helped create. Since 2023, she has also advised Sky on diversity and inclusion.
Making a Difference: Political Activity
Speaking Up for Rights
Lady Phyll is famous for her activism in the UK. She works hard for race, gender, and LGBT+ rights. Many people see her as one of Britain's most important lesbian activists. She often talks about racism within the LGBT community. She also highlights the importance of intersectionality. This means understanding how different parts of a person's identity, like race and gender, can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination.
She has also shared her thoughts on Pride in London. She believes the organization still has much to improve.
Standing Against Discrimination
In 2018, Lady Phyll joined a political race. She wanted to become a Member of Parliament for Lewisham East. She later decided to leave the race. Janet Daby was then chosen and elected to UK Parliament.
Lady Phyll also made headlines in 2018. She went to the British Academy Film Awards with actress Andrea Riseborough. They attended to show support for women who had faced unfair treatment. This was part of a campaign against sexism.
In 2019, Lady Phyll was honored at New York Pride. She was named a Grand Marshall. This happened during the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
In October 2020, she was named on a list of 100 Great Black Britons. This list celebrates Black British people. It was part of an initiative during Black History Month.
Awards and Special Recognition
Lady Phyll has received many awards and honors for her work:
- Independent on Sunday Pink List, 2011 and 2012
- Black LGBT Community Award
- Big Society Award nomination (2012)
- World Pride Power List (2012)
- European Diversity Awards Campaigner of the Year in 2017
- Pride Power List (2021)
- Honorary doctorate from London South Bank University (LSBU)
- British LGBT Awards
- Lifetime Achievement Award
