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Every other year at our biannual BWR Fundraising Gala, we present a select number of individuals with a Beacon of Light Award (BOLA) in order to recognise them for their services, support and contribution to our charity Black Women Rising.

Antonella Matrone
Dr Aziza Sesay
Beverley De-Gale
& Orin Lewis
Dawn E Lawrence
Dionne Smith
Georgette Oni
Gillian Joseph
Gina Obeng
Helena Boyce
Jennifer Vaughan
Kehinde Popoola
Kelly Calladine-Smith
Kim Daniels
Linda Riley
Lisa Allen
Manveet Basra
Mphango Simwaka
Pam Okyere
Ruth Taylor
Sarah Adomah
Sophie Conway
Tamara Rooms
Telesha Reid
Dr Tru Powell
Yvonne Gidden

Every other year at our biannual BWR Fundraising Gala, we present a select number of individuals with a Beacon of Light Award (BOLA) in order to recognise them for their services, support and contribution to our charity Black Women Rising.

Antonella Matrone
Dr Aziza Sesay
Beverley De-Gale
& Orin Lewis
Dawn E Lawrence
Dionne Smith
Georgette Oni
Gillian Joseph
Gina Obeng
Helena Boyce
Jennifer Vaughan
Kehinde Popoola
Kelly Calladine-Smith
Kim Daniels
Linda Riley
Lisa Allen
Manveet Basra
Mphango Simwaka
Pam Okyere
Ruth Taylor
Sarah Adomah
Sophie Conway
Tamara Rooms
Telesha Reid
Dr Tru Powell
Yvonne Gidden
Antonella Matrone

Antonella Matrone is a payments and transformation leader at Mastercard with more than 25 years of experience across financial services, consulting and technology. Alongside her professional career, she is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, dedicated to creating environments where everyone can thrive.

Through her involvement in Employee Resource Groups at Mastercard, she has championed initiatives that support underrepresented communities and foster belonging. This work led her to Black Women Rising, a cause that deeply resonates with her values. Over the past three years, Antonella has actively supported the charity through awareness campaigns, fundraising and community engagement, inspired by the resilience, strength and stories of the women it supports.

Dr Aziza Sesay

Dr Aziza Sesay is an award-winning GP, women's health advocate, educator and public health leader who combines clinical excellence with innovative approaches to improving health equity.

Beverley De-Gale & Orin Lewis

In 1993, six-year-old Daniel De-Gale's life changed forever when he was diagnosed with an acute, aggressive leukaemia. After years of gruelling treatment, his family faced the agonising search for a life-saving bone marrow donor. Rather than surrender to fear, Beverley and Orin courageously turned their heartbreak into action, founding ACLT in 1996. Daniel received his transplant in 1999, but tragically passed away in 2008, aged 21. His life was short, but his legacy continues to give others hope and the gift of life.

Dawn E Lawrence

I'm Dawn E. Lawrence. Retired Office Manager and Justice of the Peace. A Breast cancer thriver. Diagnosed aged 62 in 2018 with DCIS Lumpectomy and Lymphoedema 2020.Now no evidence of disease by God's grace.

I was privileged to meet Leanne Pero at the portrait exhibition, where I recognised her sincerity and heart for BWR. The Charity that supports and develops Women now and, in the future.

Dionne Smith

Dionne Smith is an award-winning celebrity hairstylist, Beauty & Lifestyle Editor at Darling Magazine, entrepreneur and founder. With more than three decades in the creative industries, she now works across beauty, media, events and technology, including as founder of Keep Track and Creative Industry Honours.

Georgette Oni

Georgette Oni is a Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon. She is currently a Consultant at the Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge. She offers the full range of breast procedures from oncoplastic breast conservation through to microvascular free flap breast reconstruction. She is an Honorary Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham and she is the current BAPRAS representative on the Oncoplastic Breast TIG committee.

She is the founder of the ‘Let’s talk about…Black Women and Breast cancer annual conference’ and trustee for Breast Cancer Now.

Gillian Joseph

Gillian Joseph is a veteran broadcaster with more than 35 years of experience in the industry. She currently presents 'The Wrap' on Sky News and has covered some of the most significant events of our time. She has reported from Kyiv on the war in Ukraine, covered royal weddings and funerals, American elections, the EU referendum and every UK General Election since 2001.

Gina Obeng

Gina has been in the fitness industry for over a decade, starting her journey in 2012 and qualifying as a personal trainer in 2013. What began as a personal transformation has grown into a career leading large-scale events, global challenges, and brand collaborations. Gina is founder of the global ‘Walk With Geen’ challenge, and Beats & Bands, a music-driven fitness experience that blends festival energy with effective training.

Helena Boyce

Helena Boyce is founder and director of Youbuntu CIC, an anti-racism and racial literacy specialist, educator and speaker known for her warmth, honesty and infectious energy. A Black Women Rising supporter, she sparks bold conversations about race and belonging while championing cancer awareness and better outcomes for people of colour.

Jennifer Vaughan

I'm 59, a proud mum with a loving family, a wonderful fiancé, and beautiful friendships I treasure.

I'm honest, caring, and always there for those I love. I value kindness, listening, and respecting everyone's individuality. I'm an ambivert, an unconventional spirit, and a humanitarian.

Diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2018, which metastasised in 2019, my journey has taught me about strength, gratitude, love, and living in the moment.

"Life is for living, not existing."

 

 

Kehinde Popoola

Kehinde, or Popz is a civil servant by day, and fitness enthusiast by night. Kept active by life, the many hats she wears and an 11 year old Queen in the making, she strongly believes cancer took away so much but gave her so much more back, and is a proud member and advocate of Black Women Rising.

Black women rising. I literally owe you my life. Thank you.

Kelly Calladine-Smith

Kelly is a qualified Health and Nutrition Coach, entrepreneur and mother of two. Inspired by her own journey through remission, she is passionate about supporting others to live well. She leads with gratitude, respect and compassion, and is proud to be part of the Black Women Rising community and committed to supporting its invaluable work.

Kim Daniels

Kim Daniels is a Communications Specialist working with The Estée Lauder Companies' Breast Cancer Campaign and purpose-led fashion brand Scamp & Dude. She helps develop and deliver impactful awareness initiatives, events, and partnerships that support important health and social impact causes, including breast cancer. Working closely with advocates, healthcare professionals, and ambassadors, she leverages authentic storytelling to raise awareness, drive education, and inspire meaningful conversations that empower communities.

 

 

 

Linda Riley

Linda Riley is an award-winning LGBTQIA+ activist and former Labour Party LGBT+ Diversity Lead who has spent more than four decades championing equality, diversity and inclusion. Founder of the British Diversity Awards, European Diversity Awards, Rainbow Honours, Lesbian Visibility Week and the DIVA Charitable Trust, Linda has created influential platforms that have transformed representation, increased visibility and celebrated those driving meaningful change across society.

 

 

 

Lisa Allen

Lisa Allen is a breast cancer campaigner and the driving force behind the Pink Ribbon Foundation’s partnerships, fundraising and flagship events. With 26 years’ experience, she creates bold campaigns that amplify women’s voices, build meaningful collaborations and generate funding for charities supporting people affected by breast cancer throughout the UK and beyond.

Manveet Basra

I lead Public Health, Inclusion and Awareness at Breast Cancer Now, delivering programmes that reduce health inequalities and improve breast cancer outcomes. By working with underserved communities, I champion inclusive, community-led approaches that empower people to manage their breast cancer risk, increase awareness, improve access to support, and advance health equity.

Mphango Simwaka

Mphango Simwaka is a founder, speaker and health advocate. Diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia at 24, she worked with Blood Cancer UK and EastEnders to shape Denise Fox's cancer storyline. She uses her voice, lived experience and public platform to campaign for better, more equitable cancer care for minoritised communities.

Pam Okyere

Pamela Okyere, 43, is a proud single mother of two, Zumba instructor, dedicated gym-goer and Black Women Rising Ambassador. Diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer at 38, she is now celebrating four years cancer-free. Pamela has turned adversity into purpose, using her story, energy and passion to inspire women to live boldly and with hope.

Ruth Taylor

Ruth Taylor is the Creative Director and Scenographer specialising in brand experiences, experiential retail and immersive environments.

She supports female founders in bringing their brands and charities into the physical world, designing and curating everything from pop-up shops and concept stores to trade shows, launches and immersive brand experiences.

Her work combines spatial storytelling, creative direction and experiential design to create physical brand worlds that people want to step into, experience and remember.

Sarah Adomah

Sarah Adomah is a Pre-Doctoral Fellow and Lead Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. With over 20 years in oncology, she is a passionate advocate for health equity whose award-winning leadership has advanced inclusive cancer care and improved outcomes for diverse and underserved communities.

Sophie Conway

Sophie is Head of Policy and Engagement at CoppaFeel!. Previously a youth advocate and local politician in Hackney, Sophie changed the direction of her career following her breast cancer diagnosis at 34, choosing to focus on improving outcomes and experiences for younger people diagnosed with breast cancer. Sophie has also been a member of Black Women Rising since 2019.

Tamara Rooms

Tamara is a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer survivor and dedicated ambassador for Black Women Rising. Passionate about health equity and community support, she works tirelessly to amplify Black women's voices through cancer journeys, advocating for empowerment, awareness, and representation every step of the way.

Telesha Reid

Telesha "Tilly" Reid is a charity worker, community advocate and unapologetic activist for people of colour. An independent council candidate in 2022, she champions her Edmonton community and unheard voices. Fighting cancer since 2019, Tilly faces every challenge with faith, humour and determination, always getting back up louder and stronger!

Dr Tru Powell

Dr. Tru Powell is a multi-award winning personal brand expert and creative entrepreneur. Tru has over 15 years in enterprise, consultancy and live events, and is very passionate about supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs to get visible and build their personal brands. As well as the Founder and Director of Tru Powell Consultancy & Events Ltd, Tru is the founder of the Multicultural Inspire Awards. He is also the CEO of the Black Business Magazine, a premier online and print publication dedicated to uplifting and empowering the Black community, and Director of Aston Performing Arts Academy.

Alongside being a successful entrepreneur, Tru is very passionate about equality and often speaks publicly about what it means to be anti-racist.

Yvonne Gidden

Yvonne Gidden is a professional actor from north London who trained at the central school of speech and drama.

Having performed the role of Sonya, in unseen unheard, the BWR production concerning cancer stories of black women she was inspired to become a volunteer for the charity.

Antonella Matrone

Antonella Matrone is a payments and transformation leader at Mastercard with more than 25 years of experience across financial services, consulting and technology. Alongside her professional career, she is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, dedicated to creating environments where everyone can thrive.

Through her involvement in Employee Resource Groups at Mastercard, she has championed initiatives that support underrepresented communities and foster belonging. This work led her to Black Women Rising, a cause that deeply resonates with her values. Over the past three years, Antonella has actively supported the charity through awareness campaigns, fundraising and community engagement, inspired by the resilience, strength and stories of the women it supports.

Dr Aziza Sesay

Dr Aziza Sesay is an award-winning GP, women's health advocate, educator and public health leader who combines clinical excellence with innovative approaches to improving health equity.

Beverley De-Gale & Orin Lewis

In 1993, six-year-old Daniel De-Gale's life changed forever when he was diagnosed with an acute, aggressive leukaemia. After years of gruelling treatment, his family faced the agonising search for a life-saving bone marrow donor. Rather than surrender to fear, Beverley and Orin courageously turned their heartbreak into action, founding ACLT in 1996. Daniel received his transplant in 1999, but tragically passed away in 2008, aged 21. His life was short, but his legacy continues to give others hope and the gift of life.

Dawn E Lawrence

I'm Dawn E. Lawrence. Retired Office Manager and Justice of the Peace. A Breast cancer thriver. Diagnosed aged 62 in 2018 with DCIS Lumpectomy and Lymphoedema 2020.Now no evidence of disease by God's grace.

I was privileged to meet Leanne Pero at the portrait exhibition, where I recognised her sincerity and heart for BWR. The Charity that supports and develops Women now and, in the future.

Dionne Smith

Dionne Smith is an award-winning celebrity hairstylist, Beauty & Lifestyle Editor at Darling Magazine, entrepreneur and founder. With more than three decades in the creative industries, she now works across beauty, media, events and technology, including as founder of Keep Track and Creative Industry Honours.

Georgette Oni

Georgette Oni is a Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon. She is currently a Consultant at the Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge. She offers the full range of breast procedures from oncoplastic breast conservation through to microvascular free flap breast reconstruction. She is an Honorary Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham and she is the current BAPRAS representative on the Oncoplastic Breast TIG committee.

She is the founder of the ‘Let’s talk about…Black Women and Breast cancer annual conference’ and trustee for Breast Cancer Now.

Gillian Joseph

Gillian Joseph is a veteran broadcaster with more than 35 years of experience in the industry. She currently presents 'The Wrap' on Sky News and has covered some of the most significant events of our time. She has reported from Kyiv on the war in Ukraine, covered royal weddings and funerals, American elections, the EU referendum and every UK General Election since 2001.

Gina Obeng

Gina has been in the fitness industry for over a decade, starting her journey in 2012 and qualifying as a personal trainer in 2013. What began as a personal transformation has grown into a career leading large-scale events, global challenges, and brand collaborations. Gina is founder of the global ‘Walk With Geen’ challenge, and Beats & Bands, a music-driven fitness experience that blends festival energy with effective training.

Helena Boyce

Helena Boyce is founder and director of Youbuntu CIC, an anti-racism and racial literacy specialist, educator and speaker known for her warmth, honesty and infectious energy. A Black Women Rising supporter, she sparks bold conversations about race and belonging while championing cancer awareness and better outcomes for people of colour.

Jennifer Vaughan

I'm 59, a proud mum with a loving family, a wonderful fiancé, and beautiful friendships I treasure.

I'm honest, caring, and always there for those I love. I value kindness, listening, and respecting everyone's individuality. I'm an ambivert, an unconventional spirit, and a humanitarian.

Diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2018, which metastasised in 2019, my journey has taught me about strength, gratitude, love, and living in the moment.

"Life is for living, not existing."

 

 

Kehinde Popoola

Kehinde, or Popz is a civil servant by day, and fitness enthusiast by night. Kept active by life, the many hats she wears and an 11 year old Queen in the making, she strongly believes cancer took away so much but gave her so much more back, and is a proud member and advocate of Black Women Rising.

Black women rising. I literally owe you my life. Thank you.

Kelly Calladine-Smith

Kelly is a qualified Health and Nutrition Coach, entrepreneur and mother of two. Inspired by her own journey through remission, she is passionate about supporting others to live well. She leads with gratitude, respect and compassion, and is proud to be part of the Black Women Rising community and committed to supporting its invaluable work.

Kim Daniels

Kim Daniels is a Communications Specialist working with The Estée Lauder Companies' Breast Cancer Campaign and purpose-led fashion brand Scamp & Dude. She helps develop and deliver impactful awareness initiatives, events, and partnerships that support important health and social impact causes, including breast cancer. Working closely with advocates, healthcare professionals, and ambassadors, she leverages authentic storytelling to raise awareness, drive education, and inspire meaningful conversations that empower communities.

 

 

 

Linda Riley

Linda Riley is an award-winning LGBTQIA+ activist and former Labour Party LGBT+ Diversity Lead who has spent more than four decades championing equality, diversity and inclusion. Founder of the British Diversity Awards, European Diversity Awards, Rainbow Honours, Lesbian Visibility Week and the DIVA Charitable Trust, Linda has created influential platforms that have transformed representation, increased visibility and celebrated those driving meaningful change across society.

 

 

 

Lisa Allen

Lisa Allen is a breast cancer campaigner and the driving force behind the Pink Ribbon Foundation’s partnerships, fundraising and flagship events. With 26 years’ experience, she creates bold campaigns that amplify women’s voices, build meaningful collaborations and generate funding for charities supporting people affected by breast cancer throughout the UK and beyond.

Manveet Basra

I lead Public Health, Inclusion and Awareness at Breast Cancer Now, delivering programmes that reduce health inequalities and improve breast cancer outcomes. By working with underserved communities, I champion inclusive, community-led approaches that empower people to manage their breast cancer risk, increase awareness, improve access to support, and advance health equity.

Mphango Simwaka

Mphango Simwaka is a founder, speaker and health advocate. Diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia at 24, she worked with Blood Cancer UK and EastEnders to shape Denise Fox's cancer storyline. She uses her voice, lived experience and public platform to campaign for better, more equitable cancer care for minoritised communities.

Pam Okyere

Pamela Okyere, 43, is a proud single mother of two, Zumba instructor, dedicated gym-goer and Black Women Rising Ambassador. Diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer at 38, she is now celebrating four years cancer-free. Pamela has turned adversity into purpose, using her story, energy and passion to inspire women to live boldly and with hope.

Ruth Taylor

Ruth Taylor is the Creative Director and Scenographer specialising in brand experiences, experiential retail and immersive environments.

She supports female founders in bringing their brands and charities into the physical world, designing and curating everything from pop-up shops and concept stores to trade shows, launches and immersive brand experiences.

Her work combines spatial storytelling, creative direction and experiential design to create physical brand worlds that people want to step into, experience and remember.

Sarah Adomah

Sarah Adomah is a Pre-Doctoral Fellow and Lead Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. With over 20 years in oncology, she is a passionate advocate for health equity whose award-winning leadership has advanced inclusive cancer care and improved outcomes for diverse and underserved communities.

Sophie Conway

Sophie is Head of Policy and Engagement at CoppaFeel!. Previously a youth advocate and local politician in Hackney, Sophie changed the direction of her career following her breast cancer diagnosis at 34, choosing to focus on improving outcomes and experiences for younger people diagnosed with breast cancer. Sophie has also been a member of Black Women Rising since 2019.

Tamara Rooms

Tamara is a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer survivor and dedicated ambassador for Black Women Rising. Passionate about health equity and community support, she works tirelessly to amplify Black women's voices through cancer journeys, advocating for empowerment, awareness, and representation every step of the way.

Telesha Reid

Telesha "Tilly" Reid is a charity worker, community advocate and unapologetic activist for people of colour. An independent council candidate in 2022, she champions her Edmonton community and unheard voices. Fighting cancer since 2019, Tilly faces every challenge with faith, humour and determination, always getting back up louder and stronger!

Dr Tru Powell

Dr. Tru Powell is a multi-award winning personal brand expert and creative entrepreneur. Tru has over 15 years in enterprise, consultancy and live events, and is very passionate about supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs to get visible and build their personal brands. As well as the Founder and Director of Tru Powell Consultancy & Events Ltd, Tru is the founder of the Multicultural Inspire Awards. He is also the CEO of the Black Business Magazine, a premier online and print publication dedicated to uplifting and empowering the Black community, and Director of Aston Performing Arts Academy.

Alongside being a successful entrepreneur, Tru is very passionate about equality and often speaks publicly about what it means to be anti-racist.

Yvonne Gidden

Yvonne Gidden is a professional actor from north London who trained at the central school of speech and drama.

Having performed the role of Sonya, in unseen unheard, the BWR production concerning cancer stories of black women she was inspired to become a volunteer for the charity.