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Aderonke Apata is a distinguished mental health speaker whose lived experience, professional expertise, and unwavering commitment to justice make her uniquely qualified to address the mental health needs of marginalised communities. As a Multi-Award-Winning Human Rights Activist and Barrister, Aderonke brings a rare blend of empathy, resilience, and intellectual depth to her talks, making her an inspiring and effective advocate for mental well-being. She is the founder of African Rainbow Family, a grassroots organisation supporting LGBTIQ+ refugees and people of African heritage.
Having fled Nigeria in 2004 to escape persecution for her sexual orientation, Aderonke knows firsthand the psychological toll of displacement, discrimination, and systemic injustice. She was diagnosed with PTSD in 2005 and even attempted suicide during a 13-year battle with deportation from the UK. Her troubling, personal experience shapes her status as a mental health speaker, utilising her internal emotional battles in one of the most difficult times of her life to spread awareness for racial and homosexual discrimination, and the effect this can have on a person’s mental wellbeing. She co-developed the Black Leadership Empowerment Programme (BLEP) in response to George Floyd’s murder, helping to foster psychological safety, emotional well-being, and leadership among Black professionals. BLEP has since been integrated into academic institutions such as The Open University Business School. The completion of the Bar Professional Training Course, while simultaneously earning a Master of Laws degree, illustrates her remarkable strength and determination. In 2022, she was officially called to the Bar of England and Wales as a qualified barrister, cementing her place as a legal and social justice leader.
Her presentations cover a wide range of mental health and inclusion topics, ranging from stress reduction and staff wellbeing to practical tools for wellbeing and self-care – critical components of mental health in both professional and personal contexts. Aderonke’s understanding of the psychological impact of marginalisation and asylum-seeking is especially crucial in today’s climate of global displacement and rising inequality. Aderonke’s other speaking topics range from ethnicity and cultural inclusion to safer workplaces and psychological safety. She equips audiences with actionable strategies to support mental health, especially for those navigating hostile or exclusionary environments.
“It’s brilliant and powerful stories like hers that have made our audit culture series so successful, allowing our audit colleagues to learn from the experiences of others, build a growth mindset, and get practical tips that will support their career journeys. This is an important part of our strategy to continue embedding an inclusive culture within our teams and across our organisation. Thank you to Aderonke for joining us, and to all our colleagues who tuned in.”
“We were delighted to welcome Aderonke Apata from African Rainbow Family, who shared her personal story, the challenges the community faces, and the support available.
With the help of our delicious West Brom bake off and wearing our best Pride colours, we raised £224 and counting for local charity, Birmingham LGBT.”
The Mental Health Speakers Agency has been one of the UK’s leading bureaus for emotional wellbeing experts since 2020. We supply speakers for corporate and public events across the world, and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes athletes, psychologists, celebrities and more, to ensure that audiences of all demographics receive tailored, impactful mental health guidance.
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