Veronica McKenzie

Veronica McKenzie is a distinguished keynote speaker, renowned for her contributions to LGBTQ+ history, diversity, and inclusion. With a rich background as a filmmaker, activist, and curator, she has become a leading voice on the intersection of Black and LGBTQ+ experiences. Veronica has a keen understanding of how storytelling shapes culture and influences change. Her creative work, which includes the feature documentary Under Your Nose (2017), explores the Black LGBTQ+ community in the UK from the 1970s to the 1990s. This film, considered a seminal piece by the Black Cultural Archives, has screened at prestigious venues like the Tate Modern and the BFI, underlining its impact on both culture and history.

Veronica’s expertise extends into corporate environments, where she offers dynamic talks blending creativity with leadership and diversity. Her keynotes, such as ‘The Power of Storytelling: Using LGBTQ+ Narratives to Promote Mental Fitness and Well-being at Work’, highlight how inclusive narratives can foster resilience and connection among employees. Drawing from her filmmaking experience, she delivers forward-thinking insights into how creativity and empathy can fuel both innovation and well-being in professional settings. With her history of archiving LGBTQ+ spaces and her contributions to publications like ‘Queer Spaces: An Atlas of LGBTQIA Places’, Veronica’s talks are infused with rich historical context.

In addition to her work as a filmmaker, Veronica is a notable figure in LGBTQ+ activism. Her leadership on the Haringey Vanguard project (2018-2021) helped establish a new archive at Bruce Castle Museum, preserving the history of Black LGBTQ+ activism. She has delivered presentations at major institutions, including the Houses of Parliament, and has collaborated with London LGBT+ Forums Network and Studio Voltaire on one of the first Rainbow Plaques honouring LGBTQ+ history. These achievements position her as an expert in utilising historical insights to inform corporate diversity and inclusion strategies.

Beyond her creative and activist work, Veronica is also dedicated to well-being, currently training to become a yoga teacher. Her focus on personal development is evident in her well-being talks, such as Beyond Inclusion: Fostering Well-being Through Empathy, Creativity, and Bold Vision, where she draws on her experiences to offer fresh perspectives on how mental fitness can be nurtured in the workplace. Through her diverse career, Veronica McKenzie continues to make an indelible impact on both the creative industries and the corporate world.