Phyll Opoku-Gyimah

Phyllis Akua Opoku-Gyimah, widely known as Lady Phyll, is a British political activist recognized for her work in LGBTQ+ rights, anti-racism advocacy, and gender equality. She is the co-founder and chief executive of UK Black Pride and serves as executive director of DIVA Magazine. The concept for UK Black Pride originated when Opoku-Gyimah and a group of queer Black women from Black Lesbians in the UK organized a trip to Southend-on-Sea, which inspired the creation of a space centered on celebrating Black LGBTQ+ people in London. UK Black Pride has since grown into the world's largest celebration for LGBTQ+ individuals of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and Latin American descent.

Before focusing on activism, Opoku-Gyimah built a career in public service, working for the Department for Work and Pensions and the Fraud Investigation Service. Her commitment to advocacy led her to the Public and Commercial Services Trade Union, where she became head of political campaigns and equality. She also served on the Trades Union Congress race relations committee and was head of equality at the Public and Commercial Services Union, providing her with a foundation in workers' rights and institutional policy.

Opoku-Gyimah's influence extends beyond UK Black Pride. She was appointed executive director of the human rights charity Kaleidoscope Trust before becoming the first chief executive of UK Black Pride. Alongside Rikki Beadle-Blair and John R Gordon, she edited "Sista!," an anthology featuring writings by LGBT women of African and Caribbean descent with connections to the United Kingdom. Opoku-Gyimah has addressed issues of racism within the LGBTQ+ community and emphasized the importance of intersectionality, making her a sought-after speaker at forums such as the Oxford Union and corporate diversity events.

Her activism includes turning down an MBE in protest of the persecution of LGBTQ+ people in Commonwealth countries and the legacy of British imperialism. She was appointed a Grand Marshal of New York Pride during the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Her work has been recognized with honors including the European Diversity Awards Campaigner of the Year, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and an honorary doctorate from London South Bank University. Opoku-Gyimah was also named among 100 Great Black Britons and is commemorated with a miniature statue as part of a project to increase public representations of non-royal, non-fictional women. Through her ongoing efforts, Opoku-Gyimah continues to shape conversations around race, gender, and LGBTQ+ equality in the United Kingdom and beyond.