On the morning of Friday 8 March, in celebration of International Women’s Day, women entrepreneurs from Africa and the Diaspora will gather together in London for the first Lioness Lean In event of the year in the UK. The event, which promises to be an inspirational morning of sharing, inspiring and connecting, is being cohosted by Hogan Lovells at their spectacular Holborn offices in the city. It is the latest in the series of popular Lioness Lean In networking events which have been hosted by Lionesses of Africa for the past four years across the African continent, linking women entrepreneurs with important new markets. And it promises to be another great occasion!
Following on from a successful initial partnership between Lionesses of Africa and Hogan Lovells in South Africa as part of its Lioness Lean In event roll-out across the African continent last year, the event is now heading to London. On 8 March, women entrepreneurs from the Diaspora in London will gather for a morning of inspiration, information sharing and great networking. The theme for the event follows on from last year’s hugely successful Start-up Night! Africa event in London hosted by Lionesses of Africa, which showcased a new and exciting generation of women business builders from the Diaspora in London who are taking inspiration from their African heritage to build global creative businesses. The 8 March event will celebrate Creative Entrepreneurs - women turning their creative vision into thriving businesses.
The morning’s agenda will commence with breakfast and networking in the spectacular surroundings of Hogan Lovell’s Holborn Viaduct offices, with women entrepreneurs getting the opportunity to meet one another, make important connections, and open up new business opportunities. The event programme will then formally get underway with opening remarks from Lionesses of Africa founder and ceo, Melanie Hawken. Presenting an overview of the work of Lionesses of Africa to empower and support 1 million women entrepreneurs across the African continent, she will share details on some of the major initiatives currently being rolled out by Lionesses of Africa and also plans for the remainder of the year ahead. Welcoming attendees on behalf of Hogan Lovells will be Susan Bright, Regional Managing Partner UK and Africa. Susan is a key champion of women’s socio economic empowerment, as many will know following her hosting of last November’s Global Women's Executive Summit in London where she spoke on women's role in shaping the next generation of business, economy and society.
Speaking in advance of the Lioness Lean In London event, Melanie Hawken commented: “It’s great to be back in London and to have the opportunity to connect with and build our community of women entrepreneurs from the African Diaspora in the city. It will be good to share news of the various initiatives that Lionesses of Africa is rolling out for these exciting women business builders, and also to showcase their stories and their businesses all this month on all the Lionesses of Africa platforms. Getting access to new markets is key for so many women entrepreneurs, and the Lioness Lean In London event presents a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and connect women entrepreneurs from the Diaspora with the African continent.”
Next on the programme will be three inspiring women entrepreneurs who are great ambassadors for the theme of this Lioness Lean In event - they are all Creative Entrepreneurs - women turning their creative vision into thriving businesses. These include the talented Chrissa Amuah, founder of Amwa Designs, a specialist interior design and print-making business inspired by Ghana’s Adinkra symbols and heritage. Also the multi-award winning, celebrity accessory designer, Anita Quantsah, founder of the brand that carries her name and reflects her Nigerian design heritage. And finally, IT specialist turned bespoke jewellery designer, Tayo Bello, founder of Bello Creations.
A popular additional feature of the Lioness Lean In event will be Lioness Launch, a platform to announce the launch of new products, services, and businesses by women entrepreneurs in the Lionesses of Africa community in London. Following two launch presentations, an open mike session will turn the floor over to women entrepreneurs in the audience to introduce their businesses and their new products and services to one another. The event programme will be brought to a close with more networking and the opportunity for the audience to meet with the speakers and business pitchers.
To support the Lioness Lean In London event, the month of March will see the publication of a series of regular feature stories across all the Lionesses of Africa platforms on exciting women entrepreneurs from the Diaspora in London who are making waves in their individual business sectors.
For more information on the Lioness Lean In London and other events, click here.