Event Speaker Biographies:

Speaker 1: Dr. Abigail Otchere, Co-Founder of SiSTEM UK

Dr. Abigail Otchere, a British-Ghanaian scientist from Brixton, South London, co-founded SiSTEM in 2022 with her sister Donna. SiSTEM connects and supports women in STEM fields, particularly black women and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. Abigail, a medical communications manager, holds degrees in Biomedical Science and Neuroscience. She earned her PhD in biomedical science, specializing in aging research. Her SiSTEM story was featured in E&T magazine, and she’s a We are the City’s Rising Star 2023 winner.

Speaker 2: Rhia Gibbs, Founder of Black Teacher’s Connect CIC

Rhia, a consultant, is dedicated to facilitating innovative and enduring transformations for clients. Her profound passion for people led to the inception of Black Teachers Connect, a worldwide network for Black educators. With experience as a Sociology teacher and Head of Year 12, Rhia remains committed to driving substantial and meaningful change in her work.

Speaker 3: Jen Harris, Founder of the Black Criminology Network & CrimiTalk

Jen Harris, a Birmingham native with Caribbean roots, emerged as a Criminologist. She completed her undergraduate degree in 2015 and a Masters in 2017. Jen has devoted herself to various Criminal Justice roles through work and volunteering. Additionally, she proudly founded two Criminology-focused entities: The CrimiTalk and The Black Criminology Network. Jen utilizes her expertise and platforms to champion a more equitable world.

Speaker 4: Stephanie Itimi, Founder of Seidea CIC

Stephanie Itimi, a renowned West African cybersecurity expert, has shaped the industry and promoted diversity. As Seidea’s founder, she’s empowered 7,000+ BME women and 900+ BME girls, forging training partnerships with top firms. Stephanie, recognized as a Cybersecurity Influencer by the Evening Standard and nominated for the Women of the Future 2022 ESG Rising Star Award, has global influence. She launched a WhatsApp public health service, educating 16,000+ West Africans. Her consultancy spans Slovakia, Morocco, the UK, and various African nations. Collaborations with Culture Fez, Balloon Ventures, UN Women, and the European Commission underscore her contributions to digital literacy, financial empowerment, and gender equality. In 2023, she received the “Women of Influence” award from SC Europe.

Event Objectives:

This event promises to be a captivating experience, featuring insightful conversations and engaging discussions with influential figures who have carved their own paths to success. As we believe in the power of sharing knowledge and experiences, this live table talk show will be recorded and streamed live, ensuring that the messages and stories reach a wider audience.

Furthermore, this event will serve as the foundation for a special podcast mini-series titled “Being Black in Britain,” produced by RARA. This series, which will be released during Black History Month, will delve deeper into the narratives shared during the event, amplifying the voices and experiences of Black individuals in our society.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be a part of an extraordinary celebration of Black excellence, Black mobility, and the incredible work being done by Black professionals. Join us as we showcase a collective of Black professionals making history in their respective spaces and places.