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Akua Gyamfi

Identity expert, artist
Akua Gyamfi

Akua Gyamfi has over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, with a career spanning fashion, film, television, theatre, print, and online media.

She is a sought-after commentator, regularly speaking on Channel 5, BBC 5 Live, and Victoria Derbyshire about diversity in the arts, and awards season opinion. Akua is also a regular chair for screenings and panel discussions hosted by BAFTA, Netflix, We Are Parable, and the BFI.

Working as a hairstylist initially took her into the entertainment world, styling hair for magazines Vogue and i-D, and on editorial campaigns for Aquascutum, Jaeger and Hugo Boss. This led to work on sets for music videos and films.

Akua worked at underground music digital TV station Channel AKA (formerly known as Channel U) – which is notable for being integral to the evolution of artists Tinie Tempah, Kano and Dizzee Rascal. From there she moved on to the BBC where she worked in the Performing Arts Fund, BBC Writersroom, and BBC R&D.

After working with BAFTA-award-winning director Mark 1 she joined forces with Soul Film, The New Black Film Collective, and We Are Parable to launch the S.O.U.L. Film Festival in 2019, an annual event that showcases the best of Black filmmakers and content creators from the UK and the wider diaspora. Akua has been a mentor on the BFI London Film Festival Critics Mentorship Scheme since 2020 a scheme created to increase diverse representation in critical film writing. She has also written for the BFI online and their Sight & Sound print edition.

Akua’s speaking topics include how to achieve diversity and representation in the arts, empowering women – particular black women and mothers – to participate in business, and how to encourage young people into careers in the arts.

Book Akua for an event
Akua Gyamfi

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