Women Who Werkkk 2026: 66 Black Women Shaping the UK Creative Industry
Every year, there are incredible Black women doing powerful work across the creative industries. Building brands. Telling stories. Creating culture. Leading teams. Making things happen both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
But too often, recognition only arrives once someone has already reached the very top of their career.
Women Who Werkkk was created to shift that.
Martina Gordeen and Blair Naima at the Women Who Werkkk 24/25 Launch
Founded by Martina Gordeen through HumanThreadsss, Women Who Werkkk celebrates 66 Black women across the UK’s creative industries who are shaping culture right now. From emerging voices to established professionals, the list highlights women working across music, media, marketing, fashion, storytelling and beyond.
This isn’t about lifetime achievement. It’s about recognising the women doing meaningful work in real time and creating spaces where their ideas, careers and contributions are seen.
Since launching, Women Who Werkkk has grown into more than just a list. It has become a cultural moment that brings together creatives, founders, cultural leaders and industry professionals to connect, collaborate and build meaningful relationships.
Previous Honouree, Lauren Gordon, at our Women Who Werkkk 24/25 Launch
Over the coming weeks, we’ll also be spotlighting many of the women on the list across our platforms, sharing more about their journeys, their achievements from the past year and what they’re building next.
Below are the 66 women who make up the Women Who Werkkk 2026 list.
Industry Professionals
Global Talent and Creator Partnerships and Culture Marketing at Pernod Ricard
Account Manager at Halpern
Talent Manager at SevenSix Agency
Talent Programme Executive at Cannes Lions
Senior Events and Community at OddMuse
Campaign Executive at Connect Management
Marketing & PR
Junior Content Operations Specialist at FARFETCH
Media Partnerships Specialist and Cultural Consultant
Brand and Campaigns at V&A East
Strategy and Creative Insights Manager at Butterfly 3ffect
Founder at tnoa.mgmt
Shay Okelola
Programmatic Director at Publicis
Music
A&R at Mixtape Madness
Senior Live Promoter at LiveNation
DJ
DJ
Creative Campaign Manager at Universal Music
DSP Partnerships at Warner Music
Visual Arts
Makeup Artist
Photographer
Photographer and Videographer
Director, Dancer and Choreographer
Award-winning Art Entrepreneur
Director and Creative Director
Presenters
Presenter and Freelancer
Presenter and Founder of Don’t Pop That Spot
Presenter at Reprezent Radio, DJ & Content Creator
Presenter at Capital Xtra
Presenter and Programme Curator
Creator of The Wunmi Bello Show
Writers
Freelance Journalist
Creator of Black Peoples Business & Co-founder of BridgeLink Foundation
Fashion Writer and Customer Success Manager at Traackr
Co-editor of The Slice and Newsletter Producer at Metro
Taila Nichole
Content Creator at The Times
Writer
Content Creators
Beauty and Lifestyle Creator
Content Creator and Creator Economy and Culture Strategist
Beauty and Lifestyle Content Creator
Cultural Commentator
Legal and Lifestyle Content Creator
Lifestyle Creator
Entrepreneurs
Founder of BlackCreateConnect
Founder of For The Public
Christina Okorocha, Ruby-Jade Aryiku and Rumbi Mupindu
Founders of VAMP
Founder of feYi
CEO of Shadow to Shine
Founder of RHOOD.io and Co-founder of STU22
Media
Executive Producer and Art Buyer
Founder of MXM Productions
Valery Erere Akpojiyovwi FRSA and Jasmine
Producer and Co-founder of Nuevoz Productions
Brand and UI Designer
Cultural Producer
Creative Producer and Editor
Fashion
Fashion and Marketing Specialist and Stylist
Elshy
Celebrity Stylist
Naomi Graham
Co-founder of ALT World
Fashion Comms Assistant at Primark
Founder of The Fashion Blueprint
Founder of CAS Collection and BBC Apprentice UK candidate
Community Builders
Programme Development Manager at Pathway CTM and Founder of BUD 2 BLOOM
Founder of Hey Sis UK
DJ and Co-founder of Halo Collective
Community Builder and Multi-agency Founder
Creators on Creators
Blair Naima
Talent Agent and Curator
Women Who Werkkk exists to celebrate the women shaping the future of the creative industries and to make sure their work, ideas and leadership are seen.
We look forward to celebrating these women throughout the year.