Phyll Opoku-Gyimah

Co-Founder of UK Black Pride, Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Trust & Political Activist for Racial, Gender & LGBT Equality

  • Former Head of Political Campaigns & Equality for Public and Commercial Services Union & former Civil Servant for the Department of Work & Pensions
  • Trustee of Stonewall
  • Publically refused an MBE in the 2016 New Years Honours
  • Appointed Grand Marshall of New York Pride in 2019
  • Named on the list of 100 Great Black Britons 2020
  • Awarded the Black LGBT Community Award, European Diversity Awards Campaigner of the Year
  • Named on the Pride Power List 2021, Independent Sunday Pink List 2011 & 2012 and on the World Pride Power List 2012

When Phyll Opoku-Gyimah is booked for events, they are known to discuss the following speaking topics:

LGBTIQ
Inclusion
Communities
Black Lives Matter
Intersectionality

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah is a leading political activist, who is widely known for her passionate advocacy surrounding LGBT+ equality, race and gender. Famed as the co-founder of UK Black Pride, Phyll is on a mission to promote the unity of the Black and LGBT+ communities. An avid Trustee of Stonewall who has been named on the World Pride List, Phyll is now also booked as an LGBT speaker for a range of events. When booked as a speaker, Phyll encourages people to unite and show solidarity, uniting people on a mission to achieve equality and equity.

Before focussing her interests on LGBT+ and race advocacy, Phyll enjoyed a successful career as a Civil Servant in the Department for Work and Pensions. Having also spent time in the Fraud Investigation Service, Phyll dedicated her career to the UK Government for 12 years, before moving on to become the Head of Political Campaigns for the Public and Commercial Services Union. Back in 2005, Phyll realised her passion for creating equality and co-founded UK Black Pride. Now the Executive Director of UK Black Pride, Phyll organises a range of events that unite the Black and LGBT+ community, spreading messages of acceptance, unity and equality.

Most recently, in 2019, Phyll was appointed Executive Director of the Kaleidoscope Trust. In this role, Phyll is responsible for advocating the human rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people across the globe, spreading the message that people should be treated with equal respect no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. In recognition of her passionate activism, Phyll has been named on countless LGBT+ lists, including being named on the Independent on Sunday Pink List and the Pride Power List in 2021. She has also been awarded the Black LGBT Community Award, the European Diversity Awards Campaigner of the Year 2017 and was nominated for the Big Society Award in 2012.

Named on the 100 Great Black Britons list 2020 and appointed Grand Marshall of New York Pride in 2019, it is with no doubt that Phyll has become a role model to many across the Black and LGBT+ community. Considered one of the most prominent Lesbian activists in Britain, Phyll frequently speaks on the importance of intersectionality and racism that is prevalent in the LGBT+ community. Publicly refusing an MBE in 2016, Phyll has continually made headlines for her outspoken advocacy. Now booked as a speaker for a range of events, Phyll has previously spoken for the Oxford Union, and focuses on topics such as inclusion, communities, Black Lives Matter and intersectionality. When looking for a passionate LGBT+ activist to speak on the importance of equity, intersectionality and inclusion at your next event, book Phyll Opoku-Gyimah today.

Official Testimonials

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:

“Phyll is a brilliant and exceptional human rights advocate and is an expert in LGBT+ human rights, intersectionality, race and workers rights and a whole lot more”

Louise, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Advisor, Barnardo's 

“Phyll is a tour de force. A woman who vibrated with influence and uses it wisely. She creates exceptionally functional teams, nurtures everyone who works with or for her and continually inspires those around her to be the best they can be. She leads by example, is authentic, emotionally and intellectually intelligent, kind and creative. I hope I get to work with Phyll for a very long time”

Julie, Founder & MD, The Fundraisers

“Phyll is an intelligent campaigner – UK Black Pride is now one of the premier events in the LGBT calendar but it started from humble beginnings with few resources – it has become what it has today thanks to Phyll’s dedication and vision. She is the ultimate team player!”

Denis

To enquire about Phyll Opoku-Gyimah for your event or corporate function, simply contact us via agent@lgbt-speakers.com or call a booking agent on 0203 9816 295.