The I’mPOSSIBLE Conversation

No one said being a woman would be easy but being a black woman in Britain comes with additional ‘isms’ as well as lots of misunderstandings and many a misrepresentation. But sod the excuses.

Let’s be part of the solution by HELPING those who are coming up after us and LEARNING from those who came before us. Seeing positive reflections of oneself (whether inside or outside the home) is fundamental to growth...so enter The I’mPossible conversation.

Yes ladies (and gents) the I’mPossible network is back with another brilliant instalment. Last year’s event brought together a fantastic line-up of some of Britain’s most influential women of colour - the setting was intimate, the topics broad and I honestly didn’t know where to look most of the time, I was THAT excited to have the opportunity to listen and talk amongst a group of women whose work I’d admired for years.

The inspiration gained and the wisdom & knowledge shared definitely exceeded my expectations (and they were high)
These remarkable women shared stories of personal fears, daily challenges and long-term struggles. We heard all about their successes, victories and also picked up some handy pointers on how to follow in their footsteps but learn from their experiences.

We threw questions at the panellists left, right and centre, some were difficult to answer but all were answered.

I learned quite a bit about myself too and it served as some consolation to know that my seemingly unique experiences aren’t so much unique as they are rare - and yes there were times when I felt so far removed from the exchange that I couldn’t relate at all, but the discussion always veered back into a theme more relevant to me and it felt as if I was looking in the mirror. I left the event feeling empowered and quite frankly relieved to know I wasn’t quite the weirdo I thought I was.

Last year we bore witness to an unprecedented amount of overt media attacks on psyche of the black woman, it seems black women have been wrongly defined and now these definitions are openly being used to devalue us. I've been blessed with a Mother, Grandma, Aunties, Sister & Cousins who all turn the mainstream definition of what it means to be a black woman in the UK on its head...but not everyone has first-hand reference points - this is why inspirational events such as The I’mPossible Conversation are important.

We're a race of women with so much flavour, so much depth and so many stories...let them not fall on deaf ears - if we fail to celebrate ourselves then nobody else will.

............................................................................................................................................................

2012 Line-Up

Margaret Caseley-Hayford

Company secretary and chief legal head of Waitrose. Caseley-Hayford was the first Black female to be made partner of a city law firm in the UK.

Michelle Gayle

Affectionately known to us as ‘Hattie Tavernier’ from Eastenders, she’s had a string of chart topping hits in the 90’s and recently branched out as an Author with her first book; ‘Pride and Premiership’ released in May 2011.

Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin

Born and raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica and ordained deacon in 1991 then ordained into the priesthood in 1994. She presently serves as a priest in Hackney and in 2007 was appointed as a Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen. In 2010, she became the first (Black) female appointed to the position of the 79th Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Dr Uchenna Okoye

The clinical director of the London Smiling Dental Group and the official dentist of the Channel 4 TV programme; ’10 Years Younger’. As a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine she is also a board member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and also on their Accreditation Committee. She was voted Vogue’s ’hottest new dentist’ and was one of only three recommended UK Dentists in Tatler’s Cosmetic Surgery Guide. She runs three busy London practices in Harley Street, Goodge Street and Gloucester Road and has set up the UCAN foundation with her husband; Dr Chidi Ngwaba, a medical with its aim is to mentor disadvantaged kids and help them achieve their best.

Samantha Tross MBBS, FRCS, FRSC Ed, FRCS Ed(Tr& Orth)

A consultant orthopaedic surgeon specialising in treating conditions of the Hip and Knee. She is the first Black female in her field to become a consultant in the UK and also one of 5% of female orthopaedic consultant surgeons practicing in the UK.