National Leadership | Local Accountability | Community Voice
The Kent & Medway Black Health Inequalities Summit brings together an exceptional group of leaders shaping health, safety, opportunity, and wellbeing across systems and communities.
From national regulators and NHS system leaders to elected representatives, policing, clinicians, historians, youth advocates, and faith-based practitioners, our speakers reflect the Summit’s commitment to credible leadership, lived experience, and place-based action.
Together, they bridge evidence and reality—challenging systems, amplifying Black voices, and co-creating practical solutions to improve life outcomes for Black residents across Kent and Medway.
Speakers include: Prof Bola Owolabi • Cedi Frederick • Prof Margaret Ikpoh • Prof Mike Okorie • Shaun White • Abena Akuffo-Kelly • Yetunde Adeola • Clinton Jordan • Adanna Williams • Sue Alder • Douglas Hamandishe
Professor Bola Owolabi
Chief Inspector of Primary and Community Care, Care Quality Commission (CQC), Former Director of Health Inequalities, NHS England
Professor Bola Owolabi is a nationally recognised clinical and system leader at the forefront of England’s health equity agenda. As Chief Inspector at the Care Quality Commission, she shapes how quality, access, and equity are assessed across primary and community care. Formerly NHS England’s Director of Health Inequalities, she led the development of Core20PLUS5, embedding accountability for reducing health disparities across Integrated Care Systems. A practising GP by background, she brings deep frontline insight alongside national regulatory influence. At the Summit, Professor Owolabi will explore how national equity priorities can be translated into measurable, community-led action at local level.
Professor Margaret Ikpoh
Vice Chair, Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP)
Professor Margaret Ikpoh is a senior GP leader and Vice Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, with national influence across workforce strategy, education, and professional standards. Her work focuses on inclusive leadership, widening access to opportunity, and strengthening trust between healthcare systems and diverse communities. With extensive experience in mentoring and organisational development, she is passionate about creating pathways that support confidence, progression, and equity. At the Summit, Professor Ikpoh will speak on building trust across health, education, and employment systems as a foundation for improved outcomes for Black communities.
Yetunde Adeola
Founder, Youth Ngage | Founder, Women of Faith Foundation
Yetunde Adeola is a passionate and results-driven Community Development Specialist with over 19 years of experience empowering Black and other underserved communities across Kent. Her work includes strategic project developments, stakeholder engagements, and advancing diversity and inclusion. She is a respected community leader, a women’s empowerment champion and youth advocate working at the intersection of faith, culture, and wellbeing.
Yetunde is the Founder of Youth Ngage Kent and the Women of Faith Foundation, where she supports young people and families to build confidence, develop purpose, and strengthen resilience to achieve their full potential.
Through her leadership, Yetunde creates trusted, culturally grounded spaces for mentoring, leadership development, and holistic support, particularly for Black communities.
At the Summit, Yetunde brings a grassroot, intergenerational perspective on how faith, youth voice, and community connection contribute to prevention, wellbeing, and long-term life outcomes.
Councillor Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Folkestone Council
Councillor Abena Akuffo-Kelly is a committed Kent leader and advocate for inclusion, representation, and equity within public life. Her work spans community engagement, policy influence, and system accountability, with a strong focus on rebuilding trust between institutions and Black communities. She is passionate about the power of visible Black leadership to reshape culture, decision-making, and outcomes. At the Summit, Councillor Akuffo-Kelly will speak on leadership, agency, and trust as essential foundations for improving life chances and wellbeing.
Sue Alder
Managing Director | EK360
Sue Alder is a director at EK360 and works closely with Healthwatch Kent and Medway, and Local Authorities, bringing extensive experience in insight, evaluation, and community engagement across health and care systems. Her work focuses on ensuring that the voices of residents particularly those least heard—are captured, analysed, and used to inform meaningful service improvement.
Sue brings strong expertise in independent evaluation, co-production, and qualitative insight, supporting systems to move beyond anecdote towards structured learning and accountability. She is widely respected for her ability to translate lived experience into actionable recommendations for commissioners, providers, and system leaders.
At the Summit, Sue, alongside the Senior Consultants at EK360, will lead the independent evaluation of the event, capturing learning from the overall Summit and each Action Pod to ensure community voice directly informs future policy, commissioning, and practice.
Adanna Williams
Director (South East), NHS England | Regional Director for Workforce Strategy and Transformation
At NHS England, Adanna leads teams to align regional workforce planning with national strategies. With over 20 years of NHS experience, she has also served as Deputy Director of Nursing for Professional and Systems Development and as Regional Director of Programmes for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Autism, and SEND. As one of three National Programme Leads for the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, she played a key role in delivering this historic effort. A registered mental health nurse practitioner and independent prescriber, Adanna combines clinical expertise with strategic leadership. She values empathy, collaboration, integrity, and inclusivity, driving innovation and closing gaps in patient care. Deeply committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), she chairs the South East Region BAME Network and contributes to the NHS’s Global Majority Nursing strategy, earning recognition during Black History Month. An inspiring speaker, Adanna has hosted and presented at national and international conferences, including in Ghana, where she collaborated with the Ministry of Health and Education. In 2024, she joined the 68th Commission on the Status of Women by UN Women UK, reflecting her dedication to empowering women and advancing health equity worldwide.
At the Summit, Adanna will host the Mental Health Action Pod, facilitating grounded, solutions-focused dialogue that bridges NHS systems and community realities—turning insight into practical, preventative action.
Cedi Frederick
Chair, NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board
Cedi Frederick is Chair of NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board, providing strategic leadership across one of the region’s largest health systems. He is a strong advocate for population health, system accountability, and evidence-informed decision-making. Under his leadership, the ICB has prioritised tackling health inequalities through better use of data, partnership working, and engagement with lived experience. At the Summit, Cedi’s opening Keynote will present the current state of Black health in Kent and Medway, connecting data with real-world realities and setting a challenge for shared ownership and system-wide action.
Clinton Jordan
Voice Coach | Empowerment Facilitator
Clinton Jordan is a voice coach and facilitator specialising in confidence, communication, and personal agency. His work supports individuals and groups to find and activate their voice, particularly in spaces where voices have historically been marginalised. Known for his high-energy, inclusive approach, Clinton blends practical tools with powerful facilitation to unlock participation and momentum. At the Summit, he leads interactive Voice Activation sessions designed to energise participants, strengthen confidence, and reinforce the link between voice, agency, and collective action.
Professor Mike Okorie
Regional Adviser, Royal College of Physicians (Kent, Surrey & Sussex)
Professor Mike Okorie is a senior physician and Regional Adviser to the Royal College of Physicians, with a strong track record in inclusive training, workforce development, and leadership. His work centres on empowering individuals and institutions to move from awareness of inequality to proactive, sustained action. He brings a clear focus on education, resilience, and professional agency as drivers of better outcomes. At the Summit, Professor Okorie will explore how personal responsibility and institutional accountability together shape long-term health, opportunity, and wellbeing.
Douglas Hamadishe
Medway Councillor | Anchor Host
Douglas Hamadishe is a respected Kent leader and experienced host, known for his ability to connect diverse audiences with warmth, clarity, and authority. With strong roots in public health, community engagement across Kent and Medway, Douglas brings a deep understanding of lived experience, culture, and place.
As Anchor Host for the Summit, Douglas plays a pivotal role in holding the day together—guiding participants through complex conversations while maintaining energy, inclusivity, and focus. His approach centres on respect, accessibility, and creating space for voices to be heard.
Douglas ensures the Summit remains grounded, participatory, and people-centred—bridging speakers, community voices, and audiences with confidence and care.
Shaun White
Senior Leader, Kent Police
Shaun White is a senior leader within Kent Police, working to strengthen trust, safety, and partnership with Black and minoritised communities across the county. He plays a key role in advancing the Kent Police Race Action Plan, with a focus on community engagement, preventive policing, and early intervention. Shaun’s work recognises the link between safety, wellbeing, and trust in public institutions. At the Summit, he will contribute to discussions on building safer communities through transparency, listening, and shared responsibility between policing and the communities it serves.
Programme Highlights/ What to Expect
The Summit will feature a dynamic, interactive programme designed to spark ideas and build solutions.
* Inspiring keynote speakers from leaders in health equity, public health, and community change. They would spark real, thought-provoking conversations that go beyond the surface
* A dedicated Q&A session to share your challenges as resident or as a practitioner in Kent — shaping the system with your voice
* Parallel workshops / Action Pods focused on critical themes, real-life issues, co-designed with community voices
* A Black Equity Marketplace showcasing local services, VCSEs, social enterprises, and corporate partners driving change
* A welcoming Community, Networking, Collaboration and Cultural Space to connect, reflect, and belong – building long-term relationships across communities and systems
* Opportunities to Spotlight your work, findings, or research on Black individuals and communities in Kent and Medway — via poster boards displayed throughout the venue
* Cultural cuisine, including jollof rice and more
* Music curated by a Black DJ, blending genres and sounds that celebrate Black culture
* Opportunities for meaningful networking and collaboration with leaders, professionals, and peers
* Opportunities to shape action that benefits families and communities
Whether you’re a practitioner, student, policymaker, or community member, your voice matters here.
Registration & Packages
Registration is managed by the University of Kent. Once registered, you’ll be redirected here for full event details and updates.
Ticket Options:
Equity Marketplace Opportunities:
Add-ons:
- The Summit is free to attend — made possible through the generous support of our funding partners and system stakeholders who have covered all delegate costs to ensure equitable access and participation. Send all tickets and registration enquiries to eventregistrations@kent.ac.uk
- * VCSE / Charity Stall – £100
- * Corporate Stall – £500
- * Sponsor Showcase Packages – from £1,000
- * Poster Showcase Entry (Tick option to indicate interest at registration)
- * Optional accommodation via University of Kent (Tick option at registration or email eventregistrations@kent.ac.uk
- * Voluntary donation to support bursaries and grassroots participation – email: info@wethrivetogether.co.uk
Practical Information:
Accessibility:
Contact Us:
- * Venue: Sibson Building, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7PE
- * Ample free on-site parking
- * Bus and Train links from across Kent
We are committed to ensuring an inclusive Summit. Provisions include:
* Step-free access across all spaces
* BSL interpreters available on request
* Multi-language support for key sessions
* Dietary requirements fully catered for
For any questions, please email: info@wethrivetogether.co.uk | eventregistrations@kent.ac.uk or call 07411 931713.
Funders
We extend our sincere thanks to our funders, whose investment enables the delivery of this summit and supports our wider programme activity focused on reducing health inequalities through prevention, engagement, and collaboration.
Strategic Partners
Our strategic partners play a critical role in Providing strategic leadership, expertise, and system alignment shaping the direction, quality, and impact of the summit through leadership, expertise, and long-term collaboration across systems and sectors.
Mentor & Capacity-Building Organisations
We acknowledge the mentor and capacity-building organisations that have supported organisational development, governance, leadership, and sustainability, strengthening our ability to deliver this work effectively and responsibly.
Community & Delivery Partners
Community and delivery partners are central to this work. Their trusted relationships, lived experience, and local insight ensure that engagement is meaningful and that activity remains grounded in the realities of the communities we serve.
