British women of colour set the season with sparkle at the last I’mPOSSIBLE conversation of 2012

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov. 30, 2012 - ● Returns as the only UK event that showcases the life stories, successes and achievements of British of women of colour
●Another incredible panel line-up includes:
  o   Founder of Precious (http://www.preciousonline.co.uk/index.php), a leading online network for women of colour;    Foluke Akinlose MBE
   o   International bestselling author; Dorothy Koomson (http://www.dorothykoomson.co.uk/)
   o   Model and businesswoman; Rachel Ritfeld (http://twitter.com/rachelritfeld)
   o   Former global head of corporate sales and business development at Quintessentially and CEO of Enright Entertainment; Rachel Springate (http://enrightentertainment.com/about.html)
● Mizani UK (http://www.mizani-uk.com/); L’Oreal’s premium Afro hair care range and global publisher, Pearson plc. (http://www.pearson.com/) return as sponsors
● Previous panellist, Hannah Pool author and journalist returns to host

The uplifting event; the I’mPOSSIBLE conversation returns for its final outing for 2012 on Wednesday, December 12 from 6.15 pm at Pearson plc. UK headquarters. The winter edition will be the fifth in the series of successful, soul stirring event which puts the life stories, successes and achievements of British women of colour on a platform to be celebrated, appreciated and shared.  This edition’s panel is made up of founder of Precious, a leading online network for women of colour; Foluke Akinlose MBE, international bestselling author; Dorothy Koomson, model and businesswoman; Rachel Ritfeld and former global head of corporate sales and business development at Quintessentially (http://www.quintessentially.com/) and CEO of Enright Entertainment (http://www.enrightentertainment.com/); Rachel Springate.  

At a time when there is immense public debate about the lack of women represented in corridors of power, in business and politics; the I’mPOSSIBLE conversation offers a very important and unique platform for young women to see, hear and know role models exist. In a recent Ernst & Young study; ‘The Glass Ceiling is an Outdated Concept’, 75% of women said they have few or no female role models within their organisation and a further 8% said that a lack of role models had been detrimental to their careers so far.  The I’mPOSSIBLE conversation presents tangible role models for all women from various walks of life, with the uniqueness of focusing on British women of colour.

I’mPOSSIBLE is a social enterprise whose activity is largely digitally based using their website, Twitter and Facebook pages to celebrate and highlight the achievements of women of colour in the UK as well as share information, exchange ideas and opinions and provoke thought and topical debate.  The social enterprise is rapidly becoming more popular receiving an average of 100k hits a month on the website, and is readily described as the UK’s answer to the Black Girls Rock movement in the United States. As a result it is offering a place discussion for women, and becoming a trusted commentator and distributor of news and opinion from the British woman of colours perspective.  
…//ends

Notes to the editor:
♦ The I’mPOSSIBLE, conversation takes place for the last time on Wednesday, December 12, 6:15pm to 9:00pm at Pearson plc. 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL
♦ Tickets (http://impconvodec2012.eventbrite.co.uk/) £25 (concessions for groups and press tickets available)
♦ I’mPOSSIBLE was founded in 2009 by global communications and PR expert (http://www.bresi-ando.com/); Simone Bresi-Ando
♦ Video and photos from previous events are available from here (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/w4p8hv43ebpm5fq/a3FBEQZpN9)

Foluke Akinlose MBE
Founder of PRECIOUS (http://www.preciousonline.co.uk/), the leading online network and resource for women of colour, is a trained journalist and editor with a strong background in web and traditional media.  She launched PRECIOUS in 1999 when working in the New Media department at ITN. It was the first digital publication aimed at women of colour to launch in the UK. In 1997 she launched the annual, Precious Awards (www.preciousawards.com) which celebrates women of colour in business and leadership. Endorsed as ‘vital’ by PM David Cameron, the awards celebrate the achievements of women across a range of industries.  In 2008, Foluke was named in the top 100 of Courvoisier’s ‘Future 500’ list and honoured with an MBE in the 2010 New Year’s Honours List for services to the Creative Industries. In 2011, she was listed on ‘One World Actions List of One Hundred (Unseen) Powerful Women who change the World’ and in 2012 Foluke was awarded a Media Pioneer Award at the Specialist Media Show awards.
Dorothy Koomson
is the international bestselling author of seven novels which have topped the charts in several countries across the world. Her books are powerful, thought-provoking and compelling reads that reflect real-life dilemmas where familial relationships are pivotal and emotions are raw.  Sales of Dorothy’s books exceed 1.5 million copies in the UK and her novels are translated into 30 languages. In 2006, Dorothy’s novel, My Best Friend’s Girl was selected as a Richard & Judy Summer Read and, in 2010 The Ice Cream Girls was shortlisted for a Galaxy British Book Award.  Originally from South London, books and reading have always played a pivotal role in Dorothy’s life. Passionate about the importance of reading and literacy, Dorothy is a regular speaker in libraries and at festivals and is developing her own ‘Read Your Heart Out’ community for book lovers.
Rachel Ritfeld
a face and name synonymous with international fashion campaigns and catwalk shows, Rachel Ritfeld is the embodiment of diversity — professionally and personally.  In life as on the stage, Rachel is many things wrapped into one. Her multicultural heritage: Indian, Black Caribbean and Ghanaian and impressive fluency in over six languages and degree in Social Anthropology helps her further understand the complexities of the world and celebrate diversity on a number of levels. Raised in Brussels, Rachel developed a strong working ethic and a crystal clear focus from a young age which has led her businesswoman persona to be fuelled by her compassion towards combating social inequalities worldwide.
Rachel Springate
founder and CEO of Enright Entertainment (http://enrightentertainment.com/) and former global head of corporate sales and business development at Quintessentially.  Rachel has spent her career building an unrivalled global network, working with CEO’s, entrepreneurs, heads of industry, major brands and marketing directors.  While at Quintessentially, the world’s leading luxury lifestyle group, with offices in 60 cities worldwide. Rachel established the corporate division where she increased corporate sales from £250,000 – £5,000,000 in three years while building the corporate sales team globally from 3 – 30+ people. Rachel has now taken her sales and management experience alongside her vast international network of contacts, to form Enright Entertainment, a company dedicated to working with hand-picked, start-up technology companies.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/12033892/1