‘Women In The Shade’ have announce its exceptional lineup of speakers and panellists for the upcoming conference that's set to take place in Birmingham.
The event, centred around the compelling theme, ‘The Power of Colour – What happens when we are not in the room’, aims to ignite meaningful discussions and inspire action to increase the representation of Black women in leadership positions across uniformed services. This year's conference will feature thought-provoking speakers, impactful workshops, and engaging panel discussions, designed to empower attendees and spotlight the importance of diversity in leadership roles.
As the conference date approaches, the speaker list promises to deliver invaluable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities facing Black women today. Confirmed speakers include Keynote Speaker: Mrs Kerry-Ann Knight - Kerry-Ann Knight joined the Amy on 29 August 2011.
As the only Black female soldier in 26 RA, some of the roles she undertook included signaller, logistics and military traffic office manager. From the outset Kerry-Ann played an important role in bringing a wider awareness to the Regiment of the contributions made to the Army by Commonwealth soldiers.
She did this by setting up cultural awareness engagement stands at Regimental events and helping to plan the annual conference of what was then the Army BAME Network (now Army Multicultural Network). In 2016 Kerry-Ann took on the role of Women’s JNCO representative for the Army BAME Network.
One of the initiatives she led with at this time included organising focus groups for minoritised soldiers based in the North of England, with the aim of highlighting to Army senior leadership the lived experiences of Minority Ethnic soldiers. As well as this she represented the Army Multicultural Network at numerous events including Commonwealth Day and the Network’s Annual Conference.
Following the Army’s failure to tackle the racism, sexual harassment, bullying and victimisation Kerry-Ann was subject to whilst serving, she took the Army to an Employment Tribunal. On the eight days of a proposed 15-day trial the Army submitted a formal apology to Kerry-Ann and a substantial settlement.
British Army racism apology to Black ‘poster girl’ soldier - BBC News After twelve and a half years in service Kerry-Ann left the Army in February 2024 and is currently embarking on a new career in midwifery.
- Grace OnoniwuCBE — A trailblazer in the public sector, Grace will draw on her extensive experience to discuss how Black women can break through barriers and lead transformative change.
- Dr Shungu Hilda M’gadzah— Renowned for her work in health and education, Dr M’gadzah will share strategies on navigating leadership spaces with resilience.
- Dr Sarah Chapman— A leader committed to equity and social impact, Sarah will address actionable ways to create inclusive environments, speaking on an expenses-only basis.
- Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire — An advocate for diversity in corporate leadership, Nicolle will speak about the power of representation in achieving lasting organisational change.
The conference will also feature a high-profile panel discussion featuring leaders from diverse sectors, who will delve into the critical topic of inclusive leadership. Including: Jo Richardson (Equality & Diversity Lead, National Fire Chiefs Council) — Discussing diversity in uniformed services and Gavin Stephenson (National Police Chiefs’ Council) — Highlighting the impact of diverse perspectives in law enforcement.
The theme of this year’s conference, ‘The Power of Colour – What happens when we are not in the room,’ resonates deeply with current discussions on diversity and inclusion. The absence of Black women at decision-making tables can lead to missed opportunities for equitable and effective leadership.
This conference seeks to change that narrative, providing a platform for Black women to network, share experiences, and develop strategies to ascend into influential roles. Marcia Ore and Karen Geddes, founders of ‘Women In The Shade’, shared their excitement about this year’s conference: "The calibre of speakers and panellists we’ve gathered is a testament to the urgent need for Black women’s voices in leadership.
“This conference is more than an event; it’s a movement towards ensuring that our contributions are recognised and valued in every sphere of influence." Women In the Shade was founded by Marcia Ore and Karen Geddes with a mission to empower Black women through education, mentorship, and community engagement.
By creating platforms where underrepresented voices are uplifted, the organisation aims to dismantle barriers and foster inclusive leadership across sectors.