The Media Leader and Join Our Table can announce the first 50 Black Women Gamechangers in Media.
Revealing the list, Elizabeth Anyaegbuna, co-founder of media agency 16x9media and a founding sister of Join Our Table, said: “At Join Our Table, we believe meaningful change happens when visibility meets opportunity.
“Our partnership with The Media Leader to spotlight these 50 remarkable black women in media isn’t just about recognition — it’s about reshaping the industry’s narrative from the inside out.
“These women aren’t merely participants in media; they’re architects of its future. By amplifying their voices and achievements, we’re not asking for a seat at the table — we’re building a larger, more inclusive one where black female talent isn’t the exception, but an essential part of the conversation.”
The Media Leader and Join Our Table have brought together a formidable list of talent from across the UK media landscape, from agencies large and small, media owners, brands and beyond.
These women represent companies as diverse as All3Media, GroupM, It Takes A Village Collective, IPG Mediabrands, ITV, Microsoft, Mobo Group, News UK and more.
You can read about the 50 women here.
Steve Scaffardi, managing director of events and publishing at Adwanted UK, the parent of The Media Leader, said: “I was overwhelmed by the talent and achievements of the women involved when working on the list. Each and every one of these women are genuine gamechangers in our industry.
“We couldn’t be prouder to be celebrating and championing them and can’t wait to hear more from them at The Media Leader events, in our coverage, videos and podcasts.”
The Gamechangers concept was conceived not just to celebrate the achievements of this 50, but also to ensure that The Media Leader can continue to pave the way for, and uncover, even more diverse talent.
50 Black Women Gamechangers in Media
Mercy Abel, impact and marketing lead, John Doe Group
Foluke Akinlose, founder, Precious
Annika Allen, head of diversity, equity and inclusion, All3Media
Lydia Amoah, CEO and founder, Backlight UK
Teanne Andrews, co-founder and director of operations, We Are Parable
Elizabeth Anyaegbuna, co-founder and CEO, 16x9media
Gerry Anyanwu, client director and founder, Fully Human
Tobi Asare, managing partner, head of growth, OMD UK
Tumisha Balogun, co-founder, Tag
Shelley Bishton, head of diversity, equity and inclusion, News UK
Kianna Briggs, diversity, equity and inclusion manager, IPG Mediabrands
Charlene Charity, head of integrated strategy, Digitas
Lucy Daramola, UK and EMEA group client director, Microsoft Advertising
Chloë Davies, founder and CEO, It Takes A Village Collective
Ellie Edwards-Scott, co-founder, The Advisory Collective
Matilda Egere-Cooper, editorial director, Dentsu Creative
Brenda Emmanus, broadcaster, journalist and consultant, Free Spirit Productions
Flavilla Fongang, founder and CEO, Black Rise
Caroline Forbes, head of sales, Clear Channel UK
Samantha Fray, talent development lead and founder, Black People in Sports Broadcasting
Angie Gola-Ebue, global vice-president, HER
Charlene Gravesande, founder and CEO, Ink Media
Marsha Jackson, project and operations director, Conscious Advertising Network
Kanya King, founder and CEO, Mobo Group
Ronke Lawal, PR and comms consultant, Ariatu PR
Nadine Leighton, marketing director, Bright SG; co-founder, Join Our Table
Samantha Lewis, senior account manager, GroupM OOH
Adele Lewis Bridgeman, founder, Responsible Resourcing Agency
Janay Marie, managing director, Tallawah
Maria McDowell, founder, Lollipop Mentoring
Lesley Myers-Lamptey, head of commerce strategy, T&Pm
Lauren Ogúndèkó, chief activation officer, EMEA, IPG Mediabrands
Rejoice Ojiaku, SEO manager, Nelson Bostock Unlimited
Shay Okelola, account director, Mindshare
Evelyn Oluwole, senior sales director, WeTransfer
Tobi Oredein, CEO and founder, Black Ballad
Simone Pennant, founder and CEO, The TV Collective
Collette Philip, founder, Brand by Me
Marsha Powell, CEO, BelEve
Ade Rawcliffe, chief people officer, ITV
Kelly Richards, head of collaborations and partnerships, JCDecaux
Bonita Samuels, senior associate director, EssenceMediacom
Michelle Sarpong, commercial lead, the7stars
Charlotte Stavrou, founder and CEO, SevenSix Agency
Tolu Stedford, CEO and executive producer, Story Compound
Natalie Trye, global industry lead, Meta
Louise Twycross-Lewis, head of insight, PHD
Ally Tyger-Doyle, head of diversity, equity and inclusion, EMEA, MiQ
Sophia Ufy Ukor, founder and CEO, Violet Simon
Dinah Williams, founder, Avenir Network
