Women Building Futures: Panel & Discussion

Women Building Futures: A Month of Connection, Creativity & Community

Presented by: Listen Journal for Poplar Union

Exploring the challenges and opportunities in sustaining grassroots impact, from funding to burnout, visibility, and collaboration.

Speakers:

Jennifer Ogunyemi

Jennifer is a business owner, author, business mentor, speaker, mother & wife. She is the founder of Sisters in Business which aims to support women from all walks of life on their entrepreneurial journey.

​Jennifer is a firm believer that female entrepreneurs can be crazy successful entrepreneurs without compromising their values and beliefs or their family and community roles.

Jennifer regularly speaks on panels & events championing Religious diversity, motherhood, entrepreneurship as well as many other subjects that she has extensive knowledge on.

Safia Jama

Safia Jama, MBE is the CEO and Founder of Women’s Inclusive Team (WIT), a grassroots charity in Tower Hamlets established in 2003. She holds a BA (Hons) in Community Development and Public Policy from Birkbeck University and is a qualified Mental Health Trainer.

WIT empowers Somali, Black heritage, and ethnic minority women and their families in East London through culturally responsive support, helping them overcome social and economic barriers. Under Safia’s leadership, WIT delivers 12 projects focused on education, health, domestic abuse, advice, and food security.

Safia was awarded an MBE for her contribution to community cohesion and women’s empowerment. She has also received a Purple Plaque and had a DLR train named in her honour for her work during the COVID-19 pandemic. With over 20 years of leadership experience, she works closely with public services and community organisations to drive meaningful change.

Safia is also a Trustee at Poplar Union and the Carers Centre, an Independent Police Advisor, and a member of the Tension Monitoring Group.

Alicia Darling

Alice Dearing is an Olympic Marathon Swimmer and global diversity advocate. She became the first black woman to swim for Great Britain at an Olympic Games in 2021, representing a milestone moment for diversity in the sport in the UK.
Her commitment to ensuring swimming is for all led to her co-founding the Black Swimming Association - a charitable organisation that seeks to advocate water safety and inclusion for black and asian minorities within swimming. 
Her work has seen her recognised globally as an advocate for change, including being awarded The Sunday Times Changemaker Of The Year award in 2022 and in 2023 she was announced No.3 on the BBC Woman’s Hour Power list.”

Apsana Begum MP

Apsana Begum MP is the Member of Parliament for Poplar and Limehouse, elected in 2019 as the first hijab-wearing woman MP in the UK. She is a passionate advocate for social justice, equality, and human rights, with a particular focus on housing, workers’ rights, and combating poverty. Before entering Parliament, Apsana worked across the public and voluntary sectors, supporting vulnerable communities in East London. She has campaigned extensively on issues affecting women, ethnic minorities, and working-class families, championing initiatives that promote inclusion, representation, and community empowerment both locally and nationally.

Event Curator and Facilitator: Jodie Willims

Jodie Williams is one of Britain’s most accomplished sprinters, having represented Great Britain at three Olympic Games (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024) and secured multiple international medals. She rose to prominence as a junior, winning world youth and junior sprint titles, and went on to excel in the 200 m and 400 m at senior level — including European and Commonwealth medals and an Olympic bronze as part of the 4 × 400 m relay team at Paris 2024. Known for her versatility and longevity in athletics, Jodie has inspired many with her performances on the track and continues to be a respected figure in British sport.

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