Phyll Opoku-Gyimah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Phyll Opoku-Gyimah
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Phyll Opoku-Gyimah at the Southbank Centre in March 2014
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Phyllis Akua Opoku-Gyimah
November 1974 (age 50) Islington, London, England
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| Alma mater | Lea Valley Academy |
| Occupation | Political activist |
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Phyllis Akua Opoku-Gyimah (born November 1974), also known as Lady Phyll, is a British activist. She is known for her important work promoting fairness for everyone. This includes supporting people of different races, genders, and those who are LGBT+. She is a co-founder and the Chief Executive of UK Black Pride. She also used to be a leader at Kaleidoscope Trust.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah was born in Britain in 1974. She went to Bullsmoor School in Lea Valley. This is where she first started getting involved in social issues. Her family comes from Ghana.
Her Work and Activism
Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah started her career working for the government. She later became a co-founder and leader of UK Black Pride. This group helps bring together Black people from different backgrounds. It also includes their friends and families who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender. UK Black Pride works to build a strong, supportive community.
Working with Charities
In 2015, Opoku-Gyimah joined the board of Stonewall. This is a big charity that supports LGBT+ rights. She left three years later when Stonewall decided to work with UK Black Pride. She also famously turned down an award called an MBE in 2016. An MBE is a special honor given by the British King or Queen.
Writing and Publishing
Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah helped edit a book called Sista!. This book was published in 2018. It is a collection of writings by LGBT+ women from African or Caribbean backgrounds in the UK. It features stories and poems from 31 different writers.
Role in Trade Unions
She was also very active in trade unions. These are groups that protect workers' rights. She served on a committee for race relations at the Trades Union Congress (TUC). She was also the Head of Equality at the Public and Commercial Services Union until 2019.
Leading Kaleidoscope Trust
In May 2019, Opoku-Gyimah became the executive director of Kaleidoscope Trust. This charity works to protect human rights around the world. She left this role in November 2023. She then became the first Chief Executive of the charity she helped start, UK Black Pride.
Advising Sky UK
Since July 2023, Opoku-Gyimah has been part of Sky's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council. This group helps Sky make sure its workplaces are fair and welcoming for everyone.
Political Involvement
Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah is well-known for her activism in the UK. She champions rights for different races, genders, and LGBT+ people. Many see her as one of Britain's most important lesbian activists. She has often spoken about the need to address racism within the LGBT+ community. She also talks about "intersectionality." This means understanding how different parts of a person's identity, like race and gender, can affect their experiences.
Running for Parliament
In 2018, she tried to become a Member of Parliament for Lewisham East. This is a part of the UK Parliament. She was running for the Labour Party. She later left the race.
Attending the BAFTAs
In 2018, Opoku-Gyimah attended the British Academy Film Awards. She went with British actress Andrea Riseborough. They attended to show support for women who had faced unfair treatment. This was part of a campaign against sexism.
New York Pride Grand Marshall
In 2019, she was named a Grand Marshall for New York Pride. This was a big honor during the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. The Stonewall riots were important events in the history of LGBT+ rights.
Recognized as a Great Black Briton
In October 2020, Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah was named on a list of 100 Great Black Britons. This initiative celebrates important Black British people. It was part of Black History Month.
Awards and Recognition
Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah has received many awards and honors for her work:
- She was listed in the Independent on Sunday Pink List in 2011 and 2012.
- She received a Black LGBT Community Award.
- She was nominated for a Big Society Award in 2012.
- She was included in the World Pride Power List in 2012.
- She won the European Diversity Awards Campaigner of the Year in 2017.
- She was on the Pride Power List in 2021.
- She received an honorary doctorate from London South Bank University (LSBU).
- She has also received British LGBT Awards.
- She was given a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Images for kids
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Phyll Opoku-Gyimah at the Southbank Centre in March 2014
