The Power of a Woman Awards 2025
WOMEN IN Business 2025
Celebrating women of colour and their achievements.
Read through the amazing contributions made by each and every one of our worthy nominees this year. Then, all you need to do is vote for the woman that you think should be the recipient of this year’s award.
You can vote for one nominee per category.
Annika Allen
Annika is an award-winning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) professional with a rich background in media and storytelling.
Starting her career in television and journalism, Annika worked at companies like Cactus TV and RDF Television, driven by her commitment to amplify underrepresented voices.
Now, as Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at All3Media, she leads the DEI strategy across 40+ production companies, focusing on creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Annika co-founded Join Our Table and Black Leaders in TV, supporting and celebrating Black talent. Her work, from strategic programmes to DEI collaborations across the TV industry, is dedicated to creating lasting, positive change.
Annika’s commitment to fostering diversity is rooted in her belief in the power of representation and her dedication to building a more equitable future for all.
On being a black woman...
Jael Spooner
My name is Jael Spooner, and I am an accomplished Property Developer, Entrepreneur and Investor with over 12 years of active involvement in both commercial and residential property sectors in the UK. At the age of 22, I began a career as an Interior Designer, utilising intuition, imagination, and visualisation to create luxurious interiors in the commercial sector, renovating run-down units across the City of London and the West End, transforming them into spectacular nightlife venues.
Following the acquisition of my council flat at age 28, I have since launched my impressive journey into real estate and development;
At age 36 I have become an accomplished Property Developer, Entrepreneur and Investor and have built a Residential property portfolio worth over £3,000,000 leveraging a variety of investment strategies in the property industry .
Over the past few years I have mentored thousands of students on how to do the same. And recently built Wealth Creators, a property training business that teaches clients the unfiltered knowledge in the property industry. Just like a doctor needs to learn the full anatomy of the human body, you need full knowledge of all the strategies in the property industry.
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Words do not compare to the gratitude I feel. As I look back at how far I have come I thank the universe for all the trials and tribulations, ups and downs, and all the doors that didn’t open for me. As I enter deeper into this chapter of my life, I feel filled with a great sense of achievement, strength and empowerment. I dress myself in my authenticity, knowing full well that life isn’t about finding yourself, but about creating yourself. I make a choice daily to rise up as a light and stand on my own platform and show others that you can do anything if you try, absolutely anything is possible as long as you believe.
Truly you can be, do and have all your heart’s desires as long as you take massive action towards it. Your dreams are real! If you can see the vision of a better life in your mind, then you are worthy of it. Always ( and I mean always) remember that you are all that is, and all that exists in you. You have already manifested everything you want in the now. Have faith in that, for you are simply one choice away from a completely different life, you just need the eyes to see it. Love who you are and shine bright. Because nobody can do you greater than you.
On being a black woman...
Keshia East
Keshia East is an entrepreneur and founder of No Knot Co. and co-founder of Kurl Kitchen, two brands dedicated to empowering individuals with textured hair. Inspired by her personal journey of navigating a world that historically overlooked Afro and curly hair, Keshia is on a mission to redefine hair care through innovation, education, and representation. As the founder of No Knot Co., Keshia has developed recyclable, pain-free detangling tools specifically for coils, curls, and waves, now stocked in major retailers like Boots and Sainsbury’s. She also co-founded Kurl Kitchen, a natural haircare brand infused with West African ingredients and manufactured in the UK, available in over 500 Boots stores.
Driven by a deep passion for inclusivity, Keshia is not only creating products but fostering a movement of self-love and acceptance for those with textured hair. She envisions a future where everyone can embrace their natural hair with pride and ease.
On being a black woman...
Monique Fearon
Monique is a successful businesswoman, motivational speaker, and founder of the Creative Industry Awards and the Creative Industry Network, a platform dedicated to highlighting underrepresented talent and creative pioneers across the UK.
With a steadfast motto of “lead by example,” she is on a mission to empower thousands of women around the world by being the voice for those who feel unheard. Overcoming her beginnings as a teenage mother from a low-class background, Monique has transformed her life and narrative. Through her initiatives, she not only celebrates creativity but also inspires others to break barriers and pursue their dreams. Her journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the belief that anyone can change their trajectory with hard work and passion.
On being a black woman...
Sarah Bibi Edoo
Lady Bibi started New level promotions 7 years ago. After working in the charity field for the past 20 years, She has spent her time working on various charity projects as well as starting a printing company in 2009 which was run by ex offenders and offered placements for young offenders to work and gain skills and qualifications.
Her belief is that everyone should be given a second chance and if you havent made mistakes in life then you havent learnt. Working as a youth worker for over 10 years she has gained numerous recognitions by various awarding bodies such as being a runner up for the Pride of Britain awards, The Princes trust celebrate success award and she is one of 12 people in the UK to be awarded an Anne Frank award for helping people people turn their lives around.
On being a black woman...
Sarah Tetteh
Sarah Tetteh is a celebrated showbiz and royal journalist, presenter and philanthropist – who has worked on national newspapers and TV for over two decades. She made her mark as a 3am Girl at the Daily Mirror where for a decade she delivered hard-hitting stories on the world’s most famous stars from Beyonce, John Travolta, Kanye and the Kardashians, to award-worthy coverage on Premiership footballers and the Royal Family.
Sarah is known for her compelling and ground-breaking celebrity interviews that have been known to go viral and in some cases break the internet.
After welcoming her three children, Sarah went freelance and ran popular blogs on The Huffington Post as well as launching her own top blog Showbizmama.
Sarah’s passion as an SEN mother is inclusion for children from all walks of life and she has campaigned tirelessly to help parents who struggle with getting the right support in education for their children with additional needs.
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offering families inclusive holidays.
As well as being a wife and a mother, Sarah’s passion will always be as a party girl – whether it be on a yacht in the South of France with Beyonce and Jay Z, or covering the Oscars and Grammys in LA, Sarah will be there, delivering readers the best scoops.
Now Sarah has passed on the torch, launching the inaugural showbiz column at the South London Press in a bid to celebrate the incredible talent past and present that has been nurtured right on our doorstep, from David Bowie to local bands, and to encourage
every Londoner to reach for their goals.
On being a black woman...
Selina Brown
Introducing Selina Brown: an accomplished Author, astute Marketing Consultant, and adept Event Producer. Raised by her Black British Mother and Jamaican Granny, Selina cultivated a profound affinity for words from an early age. Her journey is marked by exceptional achievements, having assumed the role of Youth MP for Nottingham at the age of 16 and obtaining two Degrees and a Masters by the age of 21. Her professional trajectory has encompassed pivotal roles at esteemed organisations such as the BBC, MTV, and Freud Communications, with work experience spanning across New York, Kenya, and Gambia.
Committed to diversity and with a remarkable presence in Birmingham’s creative landscape for over two decades, Selina is passionate about promoting inclusivity and artistic expression.
Amid the challenges posed by the pandemic, Selina demonstrated her versatility by authoring the cherished children’s book “Nena” series. In 2020, she established the Black British Book Festival, an embodiment of her visionary commitment to celebrating the vibrancy of Black British literature.
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Selina’s indomitable spirit and devotion to her craft have garnered widespread recognition, drawing enthusiastic engagement from a diverse audience eager to embrace the richness of the Black British literary voice.
On being a black woman...
Sheila Nortley
Sheila is an award-winning writer and producer whose credits include internationally acclaimed projects such as Zion, Victim, David is Dying, and the #1 Netflix series’ Stay Close and Supacell
In 2016, she won the Woman of the Future Award in Arts & Culture for her contributions to film and was invited to Buckingham Palace. Her film Limbo gained international recognition at multiple festivals the following year. In 2018, she became an Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society following an invitation to 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister. She has since contributed to Writers’ Rooms for dramas developed for Netflix and Channel 4.
In 2020, Sheila secured a groundbreaking development deal with SKY and joined the BFI Network x BAFTA Crew 2021. That year, she worked alongside award-winning talent on I Am Mary. In 2021, she produced Stay Close for Netflix and RED Productions and developed her debut feature script with BFI, Film London, and the BBC.
Recently, Sheila contributed to Writers’ Rooms for A Town Called Malice (SKY/Vertigo Films) and produced on the superhero series Supacell for Netflix, continuing to solidify her reputation as a leading creative force in the industry.
On being a black woman...
Vee Roberts
Vee Roberts is a Brand and Marketing Professional who supports business owners with tips, free resources and ideas to grow your business using strategic branding and marketing.
A mother of 4 she has 27 years of experience and is devoted to serving others and helping them understand how branded promotional campaigns can using online and offline tactics can generate awareness and make you money!
On being a black woman...
Zoe Bennett
Zoe Bennett, BEM, also known as “The Motivational Queen,” is an acclaimed international speaker, Mindset Resilience Coach, and multi-award-winning entrepreneur dedicated to empowering individuals through personal development, employability, and entrepreneurship.
As the founder of Training Personified Ltd, Zoe works with a diverse client base—including Serco, Deloitte, Heinz, the FA, and NatWest—focusing on confidence-building and resilience for groups such as the homeless, ex-offenders, and those with mental health challenges. Her motivational approach encourages people to achieve their career aspirations by coaching themselves to success. Zoe has partnered with NatWest since 2018, running masterclasses that help business owners scale their ventures.
As CEO and Founder of the prestigious MBCC Awards, she recognises unsung heroes in the community, and provides a platform of support and visibility for them. Amongst all Zoe was awarded a British Empire Medal in 2023 for her work inspiring disadvantaged individuals.
On being a black woman...
“Being a Black woman means embodying resilience and excellence under unique pressures—where the path is often steeper and the scrutiny much sharper. It’s about working not just twice as hard, but triple hard, to reach goals that others might achieve with less effort or resistance. The constant expectation to exceed, to excel, and to prove oneself at every turn can be overwhelming, but it also shapes a strength and tenacity unmatched by any other experience.
For a Black woman, every move and every word carries weight. Navigating interactions with an unspoken awareness that things others take for granted—expressing frustration, asserting boundaries, or even simply being unapologetically oneself—can be misinterpreted or used against her. There’s no room for mistakes; the consequences are amplified, often unfairly, demanding a constant vigilance and composure.
Living without the safety net of privilege, without the space for even minor missteps, shapes an extraordinary resilience. It means refining the art of perseverance, of staying true to yourself while always being mindful of how you’re perceived. This strength isn’t given; it’s forged, day by day, through the determination to rise above expectations and to shine in spaces that weren’t always made with you in mind.
Being a Black woman means embodying grace under pressure, turning challenges into triumphs, and pushing forward with an unshakeable belief in your worth and capabilities—even when the world isn’t ready to recognise it. It’s power, wisdom, and unwavering strength, wrapped in dignity and pride.”
Simone Pennant
Simone Pennant, MBE, is the founder and driving force behind The TV Collective, a pioneering network dedicated to connecting Black and Global Majority creatives within the screen industries to paid opportunities, the industry, and each other. With a clear mission to amplify underrepresented voices, Simone has supported hundreds of creatives over the years, most notably through the Breakthrough Leaders programme. Which in partnership with Sky, BBC, ITV, and Fremantle, has supported well over 200 industry leaders to smash the glass ceiling and make significant advancements in their careers.
Simone also hosts a thought-provoking podcast, offering candid discussions on industry challenges and opportunities from the unique perspectives of the community she serves. This conversation extends further through her TV Collective LIVE festival—a dynamic eight-day event featuring high-profile speakers and experts who connect, share advice, and inspire emerging and established talent alike.
Her transformative impact was recently recognized by the Royal Television Society, who honoured Simone with a Special Impact Award for her tireless support of freelancers during one of the industry’s most challenging years since the pandemic.
On being a black woman...
Don't miss The Exciting Awards Ceremony & After-Party
9th March 2025, London
You’ve voted for your favourite nominee, now show your support and secure your place at this gala Awards night, celebrating women of colour and their achievements.
THE POWER OF A WOMAN AWARDS 2025
Sunday 9th March
De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, London WC2B 5DA
THE POWER OF A WOMAN AWARDS
Sunday 9th March 2025
De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, London WC2B 5DA