What is Empowered to Lead?
Unstoppable leadership starts here.
Presented by She Leads for Legacy, Empowered to Lead is where ambition meets action — and where women redefine what it means to lead with courage and purpose. Experience a day of transformative insight, powerful storytelling, and genuine connection with changemakers from across the North and beyond.
This is more than a conference — it’s a catalyst for unstoppable growth, bold leadership, and enduring legacy.
The North's biggest empowerment conference for Black Women and Allies
Why attend
Empowered to Lead 2025 ?
Lead Without Limits
Be in the room with world class speakers and visionaries. Step into transformative sessions that expand how you think, lead, and show up. Learn strategies to accelerate your career, amplify your voice, and lead change with courage and clarity. Walk away with tools you can use immediately — and a renewed conviction that your leadership matters.
Build Powerful Connections
Join a dynamic community of Black women and allies who are shaping the future of leadership. Share insights, exchange ideas, and connect with senior executives, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders who understand your ambition and your journey. The conversations you start here will fuel your growth long after the day ends.
Be Moved to Action
Hear from trailblazing women and visionary allies who have dared to defy expectations. Through bold keynotes, fireside chats, and interactive workshops, you’ll gain fresh perspectives on courage, influence, and resilience. Their stories will inspire you to step forward — not someday, but now.
Experience the Energy
In the heart of Manchester Central, Empowered to Lead transforms inspiration into action. From our main stage to the Legacy Lounge, every space is designed to ignite creativity, spark confidence, and celebrate unstoppable women leading change across every sector.
Why Empowered to Lead?
75% of women of colour have experienced racism at work Black Women
(Fawcett Society & Runnymede Trust, 2022)
31% of BME women report being unfairly passed over for promotions Black Women
TUC Research)
Only 30% of UK leadership roles are held by women overall-with Black women representing an even smaller fraction
Equality data Report 2024 - GOV.UK -
Empowered to Lead is the flagship conference of She Leads for Legacy.
It's a curated space designed for connection, celebration, and courage to equip and empower Black Women and Allies to accelerate the representation of Black women in senior leadership.
REAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
This conference carries 6 hours CPD accreditation. You’ll have access to powerful panel conversations and fireside chats that go deep into the truths of leadership, power, and impact.

You’ll engage directly in the networking spaces where ideas are exchanged, collaborations are born, and futures are reshaped.
​
You’ll also:

-Connect with mentors, sponsors, and allies who can open real doors.

- Build relationships with professionals who become collaborators and champions.

- Leave with strategies, language, and a renewed confidence.
​
Conference Agenda
​
08:00 Doors open
​
8:00-9:00
Registration and breakfast
​
9:00-9:50
Session 1: Unstoppable Launch
9:50-10:30
Session 2: Keynote: Unstoppable Mindset
​
10:30-11:00​ BREAK
​
11:00-11:50 am
​Session 3: Fireside Chat
11:50am-12:45pm
Session : Panel Discussion: Unstoppable Inclusive Leadership
12:45pm- 2:15pm​ LUNCH
​
2:15pm-2:30pm
Performance
2:30pm-3:20pm
Session 5: Fireside Chat
3:20pm-3:45pm
Session 6: Keynote: Unstoppable Finance
​
3:45-4:05pm​ BREAK
​
4:05pm-4:50pm
Session 7: Panel Discussion: Unstoppable Business
4:50pm-5:20pm
Session 8: Keynote: Unstoppable Confidence
5:20pm-5:30pm
Thank you and goodbyes
​
5:30pm-6:00pm
Networking
DJ- Chey
Includes: All sessions, lunch, marketplace access
Meet some of our
World Class Speaker Line-Up for 2025
Kanya King CBE
Kanya is the founder of the MOBO Awards—the largest celebration of Black music and culture in Europe—is one of the UK’s most influential cultural visionaries. Since remortgaging her home in 1996 to launch the first event, she has built a globally recognised platform that has elevated world-renowned artists, championed diversity, and transformed communities. Through initiatives like MOBO UnSung, the MOBO Help Musicians Fund, and MOBOLISE, she has supported emerging talent and tackled racial inequality, while her leadership has generated millions in local economic impact, fostered cultural unity, and influenced national health and equity campaigns. Serving on boards such as the Creative Industries Council and the Sky Advisory Board, King continues to drive systemic change with courage, innovation, and a deep commitment to justice.
Cynthia V Davis
Cynthia was honoured with a CBE in 2023 for her exceptional services to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. She is Founder and CEO of D&I services organisation, Diversifying Group, as well as co-founder of Diversifying.io, an AI powered Career Platform, both proud B Corps.
As an award-winning diversity advocate and accomplished public speaker, Cynthia shares her journey and inspires others in panel discussions, workshops, and keynote speeches. She also mentors four young people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, holds a Fellowship at St. George’s College Leadership, and serves as a Trustee for the children’s charity Over the Wall.
Cynthia's recent awards include Women-Led Business of the Year at the British Business Awards 2023 and Inspirational Woman of the Year at the Black Tech Achievement Awards 2024.
.jpg)
Caroline Flanagan
Caroline is The Black Lawyers' Coach, bringing diversity and equity to the legal industry by increasing the number of black lawyers who stay in the profession and progress to leadership.
A certified coach, Caroline is also an international keynote speaker, podcast host and author of two books, including Business Book of the Year finalist, BE THE FIRST: People of Colour, Imposter Syndrome and the Struggle to Succeed in a White World (2022).
A woman of colour from a low-income background, from an early age Caroline learned to navigate the challenges of being the only one and achieve success in a white world.
A magic circle trained ex-City lawyer, Caroline draws on her lived experience, industry knowledge and thought leadership to elevate, empower and transform.
Ayesha Ofori
Ayesha is a former Investment Banker from Morgan Stanley and wealth manager from Goldman Sachs, where she personally managed over £500m in client assets. Drawing from her extensive experience and prompted by the £678 billion gender investment gap, Ayesha founded Propelle, the UK's first female-focused investment platform - recognising that traditional financial services weren't adequately serving women's unique needs and goals.
Propelle's mission centers on empowering women to build long-term wealth through three core pillars: financial education, community support, and accessible investments. The platform addresses the reality that women often face different financial challenges and are often excluded from the industry, requiring tailored approaches to wealth building.
.jpg)
Charlotte Sweeney OBE
Charlotte is a globally recognised Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) expert with over 25 years’ experience, working with C-Suite leaders, governments, and organisations to create inclusive workplaces. After a successful career in financial services, she founded Charlotte Sweeney Associates in 2012 and has since shaped national policy, including authoring the UK Government’s review on Women on Boards and Executive Search Firms, and designing the City of London’s first Power of Diversity programme.
Chartered Management Consultant and Fellow of multiple institutes, Charlotte has held senior advisory and Non-Executive Director roles, including Deputy Chair of an NHS Trust with a £500m budget. Named one of HR’s Most Influential Thinkers, she is co-author of the best-selling book Inclusive Leadership, a Forbes HR Council member, and an award-winning thought leader whose influence spans boardrooms, governments, academia, and international media.
Michelle Moore
Michelle is a Conscious leadership expert, speaker, executive coach, and author of the critically acclaimed 'Real Wins', Michelle Moore is named as one of the UK’s 50 Most
Influential Women in Sport. A compassionate truth-teller, her background and expertise are rooted in radical self-awareness, personal power and resilience, which provokes courageous conversations on and off the stage. A powerful advocate for change untapping leadership potential in the masses.
She is the winner of a national ‘Outstanding Woman in Sport’ award, three national changemaker awards and her book Real Wins was shortlisted for the 2023 Chartered Management Institute Book of the Year.
.jpg)
More speakers to be announced!
Here's what past delegates have to say.....
"Just a truly awesome event. I can’t wait for the next one!"
Delegate 2024
"Very positive, great speakers, great venue, great food, made new friends and reignited existing
Best conference I have been to. No time to fall asleep or lose concentration as it was very upbeat, informative and exciting!"
Delegate 2024
"I met some wonderful people many from the caring and community sectors that don't attend my usual networking groups and it was refreshing to speak with them."
Delegate 2024
"I came to the conference alone this year. However, the culture of this event is inclusive, and i was embraced by women from all over the UK. Thank you for leading the way and taking your place. From the welcome at the door and everything in between this conference is world-class!!!"
Delegate 2024
"I drove 150 miles round trip to attend this event, and honestly, I would have driven twice that! Every detail, from the venue to the communication, the goody bags, the food, and the speakers, was on a level I’ve never experienced before. My mind is absolutely blown! When are the 2025 tickets being released!!"
Delegate 2024
"I walked in one person and left feeling completely transformed, with energy coursing through my veins. A huge thank you to Sharon and Afiya for creating something so powerful. This was the event I didn’t even realise I needed, but I know now—this conference has genuinely changed my life!
It was just MARVELLLOUS! "
Delegate 2024
"I enjoyed the energy created and the bits of physical movement helped my creaky bones.
The conference was lively, inspirational, entertaining and engaging. It was good to see Fumi Desalu-VOLD her story was inspiring and she bought different dimension to the conference. Thank you for the experience."
Delegate 2024
"This was my first experience and it was really great, well run and well managed.
I am so moved by the power of determination to make change to lead on a large-scale
Keep up the good work! I look forward to experiencing further events like this."
Delegate 2024
"I was such an incredible day. I recently started a new role, so imposter syndrome vibes are strong. There was so much to help empower me, to focus on where I can add value, and encourage further growth. It was an amazing way to focus on my allyship, to think about how I can help others who may be facing different challenges, and to hold a mirror up to gaps in my allyship."
Delegate 2024
"The bar was really raised with this event. From the food, entertainment, gifts, amazing women...even before we got to experience the awe inspiring speakers. Thank you for all the work you have done to make this happen. It's a very special thing."
Delegate 2024
Watch reviews from previous
ETL Conferences
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS
Sharon Amesu
Sharon is a former criminal barrister, is a multi-award-winning leadership strategist, speaker, and executive coach. She is the Founder of Courageous Conversations and Co-Founder of She Leads for Legacy, the largest conference in the North of England dedicated to empowering Black women and allies in leadership, attracting 100's of delegates annually and supported by major corporate sponsors.
From the courtroom to the boardroom, Sharon’s career has been defined by her ability to ignite courage and connection. Her work has impacted more than 70,000 leaders worldwide, including 60,000+ learners on LinkedIn Learning who rated her Courageous Leadership programme 5 stars. She has delivered leadership development for global corporates, public sector organisations, and senior executives, equipping them to embed inclusion, lead with civility, and build high-performing cultures.
Sharon’s influence extends beyond her consultancy: she serves on the Board of the Hallé Orchestra, is a member of the North West Business Leadership Team, and has been recognised with multiple awards for leadership and inclusion, including the Northern Power Women Awards and the Spirit of Manchester Social Economy Award. Her forthcoming book, The Respect Revolution: Leading with Civility, Courage, and Connection, cements her role as a thought leader shaping the future of work.
Sharon was recognised by Business Cloud as one of the top 75 Leaders in the North of England in 2025, by Business Cloud.
Afiya Amesu
Afiya is a multi-award winning barrister and co-founder of
She Leads for Legacy. Recognised as Junior Barrister of the Year and named a Northern Power Women “One to Watch,” Afiya has built a reputation as both a sharp legal mind and a passionate advocate for equity and inclusion in the workplace.
Balancing her practice as a Barrister with her leadership in She Leads for Legacy, Afiya brings a unique perspective on courage, advocacy, and breaking bias. She has spoken to audiences across the UK on issues of race, gender, and workplace justice, equipping professionals and organisations to challenge barriers and create fairer futures.
At She Leads for Legacy, Afiya helps drive the vision of empowering Black women and allies, with the annual conference drawing 800+ delegates and major corporate partners. Her commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders has made her a recognised voice on leadership, inclusion, and systemic change.
Frequently asked questions
-
When and where is the She Leads for Legacy Conference 2025 taking place?
The conference will be held on Saturday 18th October 2025 at Manchester Central, one of the UK’s premier venues. -
Who is the conference for?
The event is designed for Black women and Allies who are committed to advancing leadership, inclusion, and impact in their careers, businesses, and communities. -
What is the theme of this year’s conference?
The 2025 theme is “Unstoppable” – celebrating the resilience, courage, and power of Black women leaders and those who stand alongside them. -
How many people attend the conference?
We are expecting 800+ delegates from across the UK, making it the largest gathering of its kind in the North of England. -
What can I expect from the day?
A full day of keynotes, panels, workshops, networking opportunities, exhibitions, and inspirational sessions from world-class speakers and industry leaders. -
Who are the speakers?
Past speakers have included Candice Brathwaite, and Baroness Floella Benjamin. This year’s full line-up will be announced on our website and social media channels. -
How can I purchase tickets?
Tickets are available on Eventbrite (link below) or via our official website: www.sheleadsforlegacyconference.com. Availability is on a first come, first served basis. Please contact us at info@sheleadsforlegacy.com for group purchases. -
Are group or corporate bookings available?
Yes! We offer discounts for staff networks and organisations booking 10+ tickets. Please contact us directly for tailored packages. -
How can organisations get involved as sponsors or partners?
We welcome organisations that want to demonstrate their commitment to inclusion and leadership. Sponsorship packages are available at various levels—please reach out for details. -
Is the conference CPD-certified?
Yes, the She Leads for Legacy Conference is CPD-accredited with 6 hours of certified training, so delegates can use the experience to contribute towards their professional development. -
Can I come on my own?
Absolutely! Many delegates attend solo, and the conference is designed to be a welcoming, inclusive, and networking-rich environment. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect with others and feel part of the community. -
How do I get there?
Getting to Manchester Central
Venue Address:
Manchester Central Convention Complex
Windmill Street, Manchester, M2 3GX
Located in the heart of the city, Manchester Central is easily accessible by public transport, car, or on foot.
By Train
Manchester Central is a short walk from the city’s main train stations:
Deansgate Station – 5-minute walk
Manchester Oxford Road Station – 10-minute walk
Manchester Piccadilly Station – 20-minute walk or a quick tram ride
Trams and taxis are readily available from all major stations.
​
By Tram (Metrolink)
The nearest tram stop is St Peter’s Square, just a 2-minute walk from the venue.
Trams run frequently across the city and from Manchester Airport.
Plan your route via TfGM’s journey planner
By Car
If you’re driving, Manchester Central is conveniently located close to the M6, M56 and M62 motorways.
Use M2 3GX in your sat nav.
​
Parking:
There’s an on-site NCP car park beneath the venue (access via Lower Mosley Street).
Visit NCP Manchester Central
for pricing and availability.
​
By Air
Manchester Airport is around 25 minutes away by train or taxi.
You can take a direct train to Manchester Piccadilly or a tram to St Peter’s Square.​
​
On Foot
If you’re staying in the city centre, most hotels are within a 10–15 minute walk of the venue.
Look out for conference signage as you approach Manchester Central.
Some of our previous partners and sponsors
.png)
Our Sponsors and Partners
Contact us at info@sheleadsforlrgacy.com if you have questions about the conference. We'd be happy to help.
Contact if you'd like a letter of support for your organisation to sponsor your place.
We’re committed to your privacy. She Leads for Legacy uses the information you provide to us to contact you about She Leads for Legacy content and events.
You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information,check out our privacy policy..