Strong Like Us: Kelechi Okafor & Friends

Are you sitting comfortably? There’s a treasure trove of wisdom and therapeutic value waiting to be uncovered by adults in the themes woven into children’s picture books.

Embark on an enlightening chapter with author Kelechi Okafor, alongside remarkable women she has encountered on her life’s path so far.

The panel features Agnes Mwakatuma, the driving force behind Black Minds Matter UK; Laurence Sessou, a healer, educator and artist; Liz Pemberton, an educational consultant; and Dr Elizabeth Egbase who is an obstetrics and gynaecology consultant.

Using Okafor’s debut children’s picture book Strong Like Me as a lens, they discuss with Okafor their personal interpretations of strength and Black womanhood in today’s world.

Dr Elizabeth Egbase is an obstetrician and gynaecologist driven by a deep commitment to providing women with high-quality and equitable health care. Her passion for addressing women’s health inequalities is a significant driving force in her clinical practice and medical research, having recently published a paper in a peer-reviewed journal, titled ‘Racial Disparities in Early Pregnancy Outcomes: a Narrative Review’.

Agnes Mwakatuma has distinguished herself as a social innovator in the mental health sector, having raised in excess of £2 million between 2020 and 2023 to support the provision of free therapy to the Black community. With a wealth of experience in the development and management of large-scale, diverse, and impactful programmes and partnerships, she has made significant contributions to a variety of sectors, including healthcare, banking, consulting and technology.

Liz Pemberton is the director of The Black Nursery Manager Ltd, a training and consultancy company which focuses on anti-racist practice within Early Years. With 20 years in the education sector, she has been a secondary school teacher, public speaker and nursery manager, allowing her to teach, manage, support and educate Early Years students, practitioners and professionals in a variety of forums.

Laurence Sessou is devoted to the spiritual, physical and emotional well-being of both women and children. A trained massage therapist and aromatherapist with roots from the Republic of Benin, she has over 17 years of clinical experience and is a passionate holder of sacred space. Her work is proudly informed by her West African heritage and inspired by these ancient traditions.