WATCH NOW: Coronavirus is deepening racial inequalities - What needs to change?

Ayesha Hazarika (Chair), Political Commentator & Broadcaster, Fawcett Trustee

Ayesha was a special adviser to Gordon Brown, Harriet Harman and Ed Miliband from 2007 to 2015, where she specialised in women’s issues and helped draft the landmark Equality Act 2010. She is now a much sought-after political commentator and broadcaster. A columnist for the London Evening Standard, the Scotsman, the i paper, Grazia and other national publications, she frequently appears on television and radio including the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Newsnight, Sky News, Good Morning Britain, LBC and CNN International. Ayesha is also a familiar face and voice on shows including The News Quiz, BBC Radio Scotland’s Breaking the News and Have I Got News For You. 

David Weaver, David Weaver is deputy chair of Operation Black Vote (OBV) and independent chair of CORE (Coalition of Race Equality Organisations). He is the current and first Black president of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). A specialist in the area of strategic leadership and change management, David is Senior Partner of DWC Consulting. In this capacity he works as a coaching advisor to senior leaders, including chief executives, governance boards and council leaders across England and Wales.

Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, Lawyer, Political & Women's Rights Activist

Shola is a New York Attorney and Solicitor of England & Wales with broad expertise in the financial services industry, an author, public speaker and political commentator. A political & women’s rights activist, she also teaches intersectional feminism to female refugees and asylum seekers; scrutinizes government policies from a gender and diversity inclusion perspective; and co-organises women's marches and social campaigns. She founded the Women in Leadership publication and established She@LawTalks to promote women & BAME leadership in the legal profession through universities and secondary schools. She is also the Co-Chair of the American Bar Association Africa committee. 

Patrick Vernon OBE, Campaigner & Social Commentator 

Patrick was born in the constituency where Enoch Powell was an MP. His family still lives in Wolverhampton and he is proud of his roots and the contribution of migrant communities from the Windrush Generation have made to Britain. He has over twenty years’ senior experience working across mental health, public health, heritage and race equality and is well known in health, local government and the voluntary sector. He is currently Associate Director for Connected Communities at the Centre for Ageing Better, Equality and Diversity Adviser to Lambeth Council, Chair of Citizens Partnership for Healthcare Investigation Branch (HSIB) and Senior Associate at OLMEC. Since 2010 Patrick has been leading the campaign for Windrush Day and in 2018 kick started the campaign for an amnesty for the Windrush Generation as part of the Windrush Scandal which led to a government U-turn in immigration policy.

Camille St-Omer Donaldson, Campaigner & Fundraiser 

Camille is an organiser and committee member at #CharitySoWhite. She is a passionate and dynamic fundraiser for the last 8 years, currently using supporter insight to create experiences that bring our supporters closer to the causes the care about at British Red Cross where she also co-chairs the charity’s BAME network. Camille is also programme chair of Beyond Suffrage committee, a project which helps elevate young women of colour to leadership, diversify boards and empower the future change makers. She’s a keen public speaker & Beyoncé is her inspiration, #Slay. When not geeking out over supporters or Beyoncé, she spends her spare time completing Buzzfeed quizzes like ‘what type of bread are you?’, and rooting out racism in the sector!