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Call for Action: A Commission on Black Women & Girls
Perceptions about Black women are rooted in historical biases that continue to negatively impact every area of our lives, from employment and education to healthcare and personal relationships and everything in between. This national conference presented an opportunity to explore these impacts and the pathways to change through social policy, to foster a more equitable society. Conference overwhelmingly supported the plans for a National Commission on Black Women & Girls. Stay tuned for next steps.
#DefintionRedefined #AccelerateAction #IWD25
Palma Black, founder & CEO, Soul Purpose 360
The conference was opened by a beautiful composed contemporary dance performance by Zela Gayle, blending movement to words from the #DefinitionRedefined campaign. Watch her performance here:
Souvenir Brochure
Mayor of Islington, Cllr Anjna Khurana, Opens Photo Exhibition
The Single Light Photographic exhibition a collaboration between Soul Purpose 360 and Inkygrey photography aka Sharon Douglas as part of the #DefinitionRedefined Campaign.
Members of the National Black Women’s Networking & Empowerment Circle were invited to pose as subjects, and each were asked to take on a word from the #DefinitionRedefined campaign we ran in November that listed 30 adjectives that describe how Black women navigate life daily. Their images juxtaposed by a pitch-black background, highlighted by a single light, showed the ‘strength’ of our characteristics emanating from the darkness into the light.
See below for a review by Sharon/Inkygrey Photography.
The event was a great success, and I really enjoyed hearing from the diverse range of speakers and exploring the marketplace—it created such a vibrant, empowering atmosphere throughout the day.
It was an outstanding event. What struck me most was just the energy, dynamism and support that filled the space.
Definitely a memorable International Women's Day treat!! Sooo grateful to have been present. I laughed, I cried, felt so proud, felt part of a great movement, so many emotions!
What a fabulous and wonderful event that was put together by Palma and her Team and the guest speakers were amazing.
I left feeling elated and excited for the future of our Black Women because there is now going to be a Commission for Black Women and Girls.
As a result, of yesterday’s event I will be a participant at that table to make a better future for our people. Also, I have a fold-up chair...
Above: Photo of exhibition
Below: Mayor of Islington reading exhibition introduction
Above: L-R Sharon Douglas, Cllr Anjna Khurana, Palma Black and Cllr Valerie Bossman-Quarshie
Right: Soul Purpose 360 member, Bev Fray beside her portrait.
Echoes of Resilience, Harmonies of Joy: A New Chapter Unveiled
My heart is still brimming, a kaleidoscope of emotions within me, after completing my latest project: a series of portraits featuring the extraordinary Black women from Soulpurpose360 who so generously shared their time with me. It was more than a photoshoot; it was a sacred gathering, a tapestry woven with threads of resilience, vulnerability, and unwavering joy. Navigating the various locations, in between times of motherhood, carer, and a myriad of outer other commitments.
As a Black woman myself, stepping into this space felt like coming home. I wanted to create a sanctuary where these women could be seen, truly seen, beyond the stereotypes and the often-painful narratives that dominate our collective understanding. I aimed to capture the essence of their lived experiences, the strength forged in the fires of adversity, and the radiant beauty that blossoms in the face of challenges.
They sat before my lens, their eyes holding worlds within them. They spoke of battles fought and victories won, of systemic barriers and personal triumphs. They shared stories that made my soul ache, stories of prejudice and injustice, of the weight of expectations and the burden of representation. But amidst the pain, there was always laughter.
Oh, the laughter! It was a symphony, a chorus of shared understanding, a balm for the soul. It was the sound of women reclaiming their narratives, finding humour in the face of absurdity, and celebrating the sheer audacity of their existence. It was a reminder that joy is not the absence of pain, but a defiant act of resistance.
Through my lens, I saw their emotion etched by time and experience, the scars that told stories of survival. I saw the sparkle in their eyes, the unwavering spirit that refused to be extinguished. I saw the beauty of their core strength, the grace of their resilience, and the power of their shared sisterhood.
These portraits are not just images; they are testaments to the power of the human spirit. They are a celebration of Black womanhood in all its complexity and glory. They are a reminder that our stories matter, that our voices deserve to be heard, and that our joy is our birthright.
This project has profoundly impacted me, both as an artist and as a woman. It has reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling to heal, to connect, and to inspire. I am deeply grateful to the women who entrusted me with this moment, and I am honoured to share them with you.
I invite you to experience these portraits, to look beyond the surface, and to see/ hear the stories that lie beneath from within. May they inspire you, challenge you, and remind you of the extraordinary power of resilience and the enduring beauty of joy.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Sharon — Inkygreyphotography
Soulpurpose360 — Local Groups Development Officer
#DefinitionRedefined Conference Summary
Congratulations and thank you for organising an amazing event with insightful speakers and panellists for Black women.
I think that the event marks an important turning point that could present a catalyst for change.
It was a pleasure to meet and present to the women that attended and I was particularly inspired by the young women on the panel 2.
Please keep me posted about the Commission
The body of the conference had four Keynote speakers:
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Ngozi Cadmus spoke about the importance of Rest in the life cycle of Black women, reminding us all of the burdens that Black women have carried for hundreds of years and the relevance of Rest in pursuit of health and resistance.
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Professor Dr Nira Chamberlain OBE took the conference on a mathematical journey, captivating the delegates which his campaign to treat equality as a science problem in his talk “If All Things Were Equal”. Delegates asked searching questions showing just how relevant their interests lay in the topic. Soul Purpose 360 sees this work as pivotal in our quest for a national Commission on Black Women and Girls, helping us to understand what objectives and long-term goals for success look like.
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Diana Chrouch OBE reminded the conference of the role that Black women have played in advancing Black feminism from the USA to the UK.
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Roz Etwaria delivered a powerful talk on Misogynoir, highlighting the disparity between white feminism and Black feminist principles. Roz raised the tempo treading a fine line delivering a powerful talk on Misogynoir highlighting the disparity between white feminism and Black feminist principles.
The event featured a plethora of panellists, hand-picked for their unique talent and contribution to society.
Panel 1 - Redefining Success was chaired by CEO Palma Black and consisted of four amazingly talented and successful Black women from different industries: Charlene Greenaway, Daniella Blechner, Doreen Sinclair-McCollin and Dr Rhoda Molife.
Key takeaways from this session was summarised by Joycelyn B writing on LinkedIn:
🔑 Who are you? Understand who you are and learn to love yourself, imperfections and all.
🔑 Growth isn’t just about courses - it’s about evolving from within and embracing the journey.
🔑 Self-acceptance is everything. Embrace who you are, and any labels attached to you - they’re not always negative and can be tools for growth.
🔑 Celebrate your progress! Don’t forget to give yourself credit for how far you’ve come.
🔑 Personal development is yours - don’t let others define it for you.
🔑 Let go of the anger - it only holds you back.
🔑 Develop your networks - strong connections are key to success.
🔑 Do what you love in your career, whenever possible. Passion fuels everything!
Panel 2 - Voices of Young Black Women Leaders was chaired by Diana Chrouch OBE who expertly engaged four young women, Lexi Duberry, Michaela Queensborough, Chelcie Thomas and Cherrelle Abraham-Brown, in a conversation about individuality, talent, overcoming challenges, feminism and their aspirations for the future. Delegates applauded the confidence, self-assuredness and innovation the panel showed prompting one to write on LinkedIn about how confident she was left feeling about the next generation of Black women.
Panel 3 - The Case for a National Commission on Black Women and Girls was chaired by Roz Etwaria and included a diverse spectrum of voices including Grace Mosuro, Lara Oyedele, Matthew Johnson, Debbie Willis-Dwyer and Palma Black, who debated widely with questions from the audience. Each panelist was invited to respond critically and factually about the potential for a commission to address the multifaceted issues of intersectional inequality affecting Black women from health care to housing, education to equality matters, criminal justice and more. The panel set out a possible process, structure and function of such a body. Conference overwhelmingly agreed that there was need for such a Commission and encouraged Soul Purpose 360 to take the next steps. Yvonne Okiyo commented on LinkedIn “Another powerful conversation centred on establishing a Commission for Black Girls and Women — a vital step in addressing the barriers we face, from health disparities to economic inequality. I'm incredibly passionate about supporting this initiative and look forward to contributing to this much-needed push for gender equality for all.”
We will be taking some proactive steps to push the campaign out. Get in touch if you or your organisation are interested in being a part of this movement for social change.
What a phenomenal day!
It was one of the most inspiring days as a Black woman I have ever had. To be in an environment where everyone’s purpose was to do well and help others to do well.
The love, encouragement and gifts on display and shared was a beautiful space to be in. Each one of us has left today with a heart full of joy, an expanded address book and a mindset of pure thankfulness for finding each other.
I know thanks to today, there is going to be the beginnings of special friendships, game changing partnerships and so many souls filled with the uplifted power of a black queens community!!
The Marketplace
We had a full-on pop-up Marketplace, again, another collaboration between Soul Purpose 360 and Millian Market led by Charm Miller. The marketplace offered a real shopping experience by Black women vendors selling high quality products from gifts, housewares, alternative health therapies, coaches, art, books, jewellery, health care products and so much more.
Did you attend the national conference? Please tell us your experience.