Women In The Shade

👩🏽🤝👩🏾It’s been a week since we came together for the Women In The Shade Conference 2025—and what a memorable day it was!👩🏽🤝👩🏾   If you’re looking to relive the day (or see what you missed), we’re thrilled to share our conference highlight video. Grab a cuppa, settle in, and enjoy the best moments captured on film.   Thank you all once again for your energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to making this conference such a warm and supportive space. We couldn’t have done it without you!   #WomenInTheShade2025 #ConferenceHighlights #WomenInLeadership #wits2025 #networking #networkingevent #business #blackhistorymonth #blacklivesmatter #femaleempowerment #femaleentrepreneur #empowerment

LAUNCHING THE WOMEN IN THE SHADE CONFERENCE REPORT 2025! This year’s Women in the Shade conference was more than an event—it was a defining moment of reflection, learning, and connection. It was a celebration of the resilience, courage, and collective strength of Black women in uniformed services, who came together to share experiences, challenge barriers, and drive meaningful change. Now, we are proud to launch the official Women in the Shade Conference Report 2025 which is available via this link: https://lnkd.in/eKgcZB4P. The report is a comprehensive reflection on the discussions, key takeaways, and calls to action that emerged throughout the day. More than just a summary, this report captures the powerful voices, lived experiences, and solutions shared by our speakers, panellists, and attendees. It serves as both a record and a catalyst for change, ensuring the momentum continues long after the event. We are immensely grateful to: · Our inspiring speakers, host, and guest panel members – for their wisdom, vulnerability, and powerful stories that challenged, motivated, and empowered us all. · Our dedicated facilitators and event team—who created a dynamic and impactful space for learning, reflection, and action. · Our sponsors and exhibitors—including Diverse Matters, National Police Chiefs’ Council, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner, Friends of Women in the Shade, Surrey & Sussex Police, and more. Your support made this event possible and helped us bring vital conversations to the forefront. · Our delegates—you are the heart of this movement. You belong in every room, and we hope that truth was affirmed throughout the day. Looking Ahead to 2026 We are already planning the Women in the Shade Conference 2026, where we will build on this year’s powerful insights and drive forward even more meaningful change: · Early registration is open with an exclusive discount! Secure your place for another transformative year · Become a sponsor or Friend of Women in the Shade and help to empower the next generation – Uplifting Black women in uniformed services and create real change. Thank you for standing with us. We look forward to welcoming you as a key partner in 2026! #WomenInTheShade #WITS2025 #Empowerment #Diversity #Inclusion #Leadership #SupportBlackWomen.

You are certainly welcome. I look forward to helping take Women In The Shade to the next level.

📌Meet Our Advisory Board Member: Garfield Robinson - Owner/Manager at Promoting Our Heritage (22years) and Senior Account Executive/Special Projects at Voice Media Group🌟 Garfield has been involved in sales since his teenage years. He started in his grandmothers grocery shop and would go on to bake his own products and sell. His dad was a carpenter, so he made picture frames and sold them. After high school he did community work with farmers and was a data collector with a government ministry in Jamaica. His last job in Jamaica in 2000, was selling online adverting with the Jamaica Gleaner before moving with his family to the UK in 2001 and while selling print adverts in Weekly Gleaner UK. He simultaneously had a short stint with Loot Hot Car . He started Promoting Our Heritage in October 2002 to sell African and Caribbean Cultural Heritage Books. In 2004 the Voice was bought by the Gleaner Newspaper , allowing him to work with two newspaper; actually three when the first free Black newspaper was launched. Presently Garfield is an author, publisher, bookseller and event host for his own Black authors events. He is also Sales Team leader at the Voice Media group and the coordinator of the Voice Business magazine which will return for its 11th issue in May 2025. We are honoured to have Garfield on our board, where his experience and dedication are sure to drive impactful change in our work toward a safer, more equitable world for all. 🔗Find out more about what we do here: https://lnkd.in/eUz2caE4

📌Meet Our Advisory Board Member: Alicia Shaw MSt (Cantab) CMgr FCMI, a dedicated advocate for Women in Policing 🌟 Alicia Shaw is a former senior police officer who spent 30 years in policing working for Hertfordshire Constabulary. During her career Alicia performed a number of roles including Change Team Project Manager, Officer in charge of a Policing District, managing response officers, neighbourhood officers and detectives, Hostage and Crisis Negotiator , Senior Investigation Officer and Safeguarding roles. As first Black female in Hertfordshire to reach the rank of Chief Inspector Alicia recognises the challenges faced by Black women in policing and continues to support under represented groups in mentoring scheme. Since leaving policing Alicia has set up a Consultancy business offering a number of services including EDI reviews , Strategic advice and workplace investigations. Alicia holds a Masters degree in Applied Criminology from The University of Cambridge We are honoured to have Alicia on our board, where her experience and dedication are sure to drive impactful change in our work toward a safer, more equitable world for all. 🔗Find out more about what we do here: https://lnkd.in/eUz2caE4

Women in the Shade: Focused on 2025 and Beyond! Today, Marcia Ore and I held one of our regular Women In The Shade board meetings, focusing on our key priorities for 2025, which include: 🔹 Building Key Collaborative Relationships – Strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders to drive meaningful change and expand our influence. 🔹 Empowerment and Support – Providing tailored resources, training, and mentorship to uplift and equip Black women in uniformed services, working alongside partners such as Diverse Matters. 🔹 Enhancing Our Research Approach – Refining our research strategy to ensure data-driven insights that inform policy, practice, and advocacy. We are also finalising our conference report, which will be published in early March. Exciting news—our conference has been officially CPD accredited by The CPD Certification Service! 🎉 All delegates will receive their certificates soon. A warm welcome to Alicia Shaw MSt (Cantab) CMgr FCMI, who joined us today and will be formally introduced as part of our Advisory Board—watch this space! In the meantime, catch up on our latest updates in our February newsletter below. #WomenInTheShade #Empowerment #Collaboration #Research #CPDAccredited

🚨The Women In The Shade Conference 2025 is officially underway—and it’s a full house!🚨 The energy in the room is electric as we come together to champion inclusion, celebrate achievements, and spark meaningful conversations. From powerful keynotes to engaging workshops, everyone here is ready to learn, share, and be inspired. Use the hashtag #WITS2025 to share your moments! #wits2025 #networking #networkingevent #business #blackhistorymonth #blacklivesmatter #femaleempowerment #femaleentrepreneur #empowerment

🚀1 DAY TO GO! - Get to know our sponsors! - Mielle Organics 'Mielle Organics launched in 2014 with the creation of the first Mielle Organics product, the Advanced Hair Formula, a unique proprietary blend of herbs, amino acids, and minerals to support healthy hair, skin and nails, and immune system. After popular demand, Mielle Organics began producing products customers demand with the introduction of the Mint Almond Oil, acclaimed for its scalp sensation and root stimulation that aid in hair growth and provide illustrious shine.' 📰Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eX6yAdrS We'd like to give a big thanks to Mielle Organics for sponsoring the Women In The Shade Conference! Join us on Thursday 16th of January 2025. 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eUz2caE4 📍 Register now: https://lnkd.in/eRep7n3B #WITS2025 #WomenInTheShade #Empowerment #Inclusion #Representation #Conference #Networking #DiversityMatters

Two days to go! Nearly 160 delegates will gather to hear from a fantastic line- up of speakers at the Women in the Shade 2025, hosted by BT Group. Women In The Shade 2025 hosted by BT Group Speakers such as Kerry-Ann Knight, Grace Ononiwu CBE Dr Shungu Hilda M'gadzah Professor Sarah Charman Karen Daber Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts Gavin Stephens QPM Sharon Warmington Caroline Ribeiro-Nelson and many more on our panels #WomenInTheShade2025 #Empowerment #RepresentationMatters #Leadership #BreakingBarriers

🚀2 DAYS TO GO! - Get to know our sponsors! - Diverse Matters 'Diverse Matters is a diversity and inclusion consultancy that works with organisations to embed diversity and inclusion within their practices. We use a tailored approach to ensure that the services required meets the specific needs of the organisation and is fit for purpose as 'one size does not fit all'. We offer a range of solutions including our diversity and inclusion audit, training, policy review, toolkit and guidance development, mystery shopping, coaching and mentoring, thought leadership events, diversity and inclusion seminars and positive action programmes.' 📰Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ee3ZuFG We'd like to give a big thanks to Diverse Matters for sponsoring the Women In The Shade Conference! Join us on Thursday 16th of January 2025. 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eUz2caE4 📍 Register now: https://lnkd.in/eRep7n3B #WITS2025 #WomenInTheShade #Empowerment #Inclusion #Representation #Conference #Networking #DiversityMatters