Founded in March 2024, Protect Black Women is a grassroots organisation dedicated to amplifying the voices, rights, and well-being of Black women. Rooted in principles of empowerment, justice, and solidarity, our mission is to is to be part of an empathetic, and empowering support system for Black women facing racial trauma, misogynoir, discrimination, and adversity. Through advocacy, education, and collaborative initiatives, Protect Black Women champion the dignity and resilience of Black women.
Through advocacy, partnerships, fundraising and training, we aim to deepen our understanding of the challenges Black women face and raise awareness to mobilise resources to address these issues.
Our goal is to contribute to a society that understands its own value as inextricably linked to how Black women are valued, respected, and able to thrive.
Understanding the unique challenges Black women face, our helpline and counselling partnership with Headstrong are aimed at providing supportive spaces of empathic listening and understanding where Black women's experiences and feelings are acknowledged and validated. For more information head to the Counselling page.
PBW is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of Black women through a diverse array of creative social activities. We organise retreats, concerts, and art-based events that provide safe, nurturing environments where Black women can explore and celebrate their rich cultural heritage together with allies. These activities are designed to foster a sense of community and shared understanding among participants.
Our advocacy, research, coaching and fundraising activities are aimed at fostering inclusive environments within workplaces, educational institutions, and society more broadly. We aim to create spaces where Black women can prosper. Our training and coaching programs are delivered in partnership with leading practitioners in diversity and inclusion. We offer innovative approaches like the 'Black Empathic Approach' devised by Dr Isha Mavinga-McKenzie which focuses on understanding and addressing the specific needs of Black individuals.
Additionally, we provide a range of creative social practice workshops by renowned Black feminist writers such as Foluke Taylor as well as equine and other forms of coaching and training.
Dyann is a dynamic UK-qualified barrister of Ghanaian origin, with over 25 years of expertise in data protection and cybersecurity. As the founder of HewardMills, she has made a remarkable impact in the field, drawing on her previous experience as a Partner at Baker McKenzie, where she led the firm’s Data Protection and Cybersecurity practice in London. She has also held senior positions at GE Capital and Linklaters, where she expertly guided clients through complex privacy issues, including Binding Corporate Rules(BCRs).
Dyann was appointed ethics expert for the European Commission in research and innovation and is a sought-after speaker at industry panels, conferences, and media events. In 2022, Dyann led HewardMills to achieve B Corp certification, solidifying her status as one of the few Black female CEOs of a B Corp in the UK. Under her leadership, the firm launched a powerful CSR initiative to protect women and girls from misogyny and racism, demonstrating her commitment to social change.
Beyond her legal career, Dyann is a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor and a trusted voice in the media. Dyann continues to advocate for women’s initiatives and drive meaningful change in business and society.
Foluke is a therapist, writer, author, and speaker. Her published work includes two monographs: a biomythography, How the Hiding Seek (2018), and her most recent book, Unruly Therapeutic: Black Feminist Writings and Practices in Living Room (2023, W.W. Norton, London and New York). She has also contributed to a range of academic journals and edited collections.
Foluke has taught across a range of higher education institutions and is currently a CHASE-funded doctoral researcher at Goldsmiths College, University of London. Her research focuses on Black women’s intellectual presence and Black feminist poetics, and engages creative writing to explore their possibilities for therapeutic practice. After a decade spent in The Gambia working in the education and social welfare sectors, writing, and raising a family, Foluke returned to London where she is now based.
As someone who is inspired and energised by collaborative and collective projects, Foluke values the many opportunities she has had to experiment across disciplines and cocreate with others transnationally. This includes work with artists, visual arts organisations, artist cooperatives, galleries, and museums. In an ongoing collaboration as part of Dr Barby Asante’s Declaration of Independence project.
Foluke continues to contribute to performance installations across Britain and Europe. She features in the film ‘daughter(s) of diaspora’ by Black-feminist artist-researcher Dr Nydia Swaby and as an interviewee on various podcasts.
She is fascinated by practices and spaces that make room to nurture the emergent and not-yet—hence is a big fan of dancefloors, living rooms, and kitchen tables.
Christine’s professional journey began in environmental regulatory compliance, where she developed a deep expertise in climate change, environmental protection, and organizational risk management. This foundational experience provided her with a unique perspective on the intersection of sustainability and business operations.
Driven by a passion for creating positive impact, Christine made a transformative shift into the field of humanitarian aid, international development, and research. She successfully led and managed high-stakes projects in some of the world’s most complex and challenging environments, including Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti, and Ethiopia.
Her ability to navigate these intricate contexts demonstrated her resilience, leadership, and commitment to making a difference in vulnerable communities. Building on this diverse background, Christine ascended to key leadership roles as Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer at HewardMills, a global leader in data protection, cybersecurity, and AI consulting. In these roles, she honed her expertise in systems design, organizational management, and process optimization, driving the company’s growth and operational excellence.
Christine earned a reputation as a strategic visionary, known for her ability to align complex technological solutions with broader organizational goals. Whether shaping global development strategies or leading cutting-edge cybersecurity initiatives, Christine remains dedicated to advancing social impact and organizational success. Her leadership is defined by an unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence, and the betterment of society.
Would you like to support the initiative, attend events or donate? Reach out with any questions or requests. We will be in touch as soon as possible.
Thank you for your request. We will send you a response as quickly as possible.
We're putting the final touches on our consulting service — it's on its way to you!
