Chika Ikogwe is an award-winning Nigerian born Actor and Writer.

She is a series regular on the Emmy award winning television series Heartbreak High on Netflix, the lead in ABC’s Logie Award nominated television series Mikki vs the World, and recently featured in film Land of Bad alongside Russell Crowe. Most recently on stage, Chika played the role of Adaego in Melbourne Theatre Company’s Never Have I Ever.

She also played the lead role of Cleo in the highly acclaimed sold out season of seven methods of killing kylie jenner (dir. Shari Sebbens & Zindzi Okenyo), for which she won the award for Outstanding Performer at the 2024 Green Room Theatre Awards. She was also in the internationally acclaimed Fangirls (dir. Paige Rattray) for which she received the Best Newcomer award at the Sydney Theatre Awards.

As a writer, Chika has a number of original upcoming works in development, including TV series Just Chidi Things, which will be executive produced by Rose Byrne, telemovie Joy, the Musical! and TV series Ogechi’s Salon.

Chika has a deep passion for equity and representation. She strives to bring authentic Afrocentric stories to the forefront of both Australian and international stages and screens, shining a global light on African-Australians.

Ed commenced his corporate career as a customer service professional and transitioned to financial markets investment advisory over time. He quickly realised that the traditional approach to selling was ineffective in the harsh post-GFC world of finance. As such, he consciously applied a customer-centric mentality to empowering decision-makers instead of pressuring them. Ed broke down the nuances of his approach and has helped grow and scale businesses in various sectors since 2013.

He is the founder of Sales Inc., a service business that has helped companies across more than 20 industries go to market. At Sales Inc., Ed has worked with some of Australia’s most well-known brands, turning the art of selling into a repeatable, scalable science. He has launched multiple start-ups, consulted for both private and public organisations, and now works alongside Nicholas to scale this proven approach.

Bulelwa Freer is a distinguished professional with a multifaceted expertise spanning Credit Advising, Financial Coaching, Mentorship, and Authorship.

With a mission-driven approach akin to her tenure as a licensed Real Estate Agent, Bulelwa is committed to facilitating dreams by providing financial solutions that not only meet immediate needs but also pave the way for long-term wealth creation. She sees lending not just as a transaction but as a transformative journey, guiding individuals towards their aspirations in a commercially sound and sustainable manner.

Renowned for international marketing innovation, Bulelwa is a fervent advocate of best practices and ecologically driven projects. Her impactful contributions include the authorship of an English literacy report for McGraw-Hill Publishers, setting global benchmarks in literacy education through McGraw-Hill SRA English Laboratories.

In addition to her professional endeavours, Bulelwa excels in individual coaching, mentoring, and public speaking. Her debut book, "Romancing Your Money," resonates with readers seeking to foster a harmonious relationship with their finances.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Bulelwa indulges in a diverse array of interests, from voracious reading and world travel to language acquisition, currently mastering French, Spanish, Japanese, German, Italian and Latin. She prioritizes self-care through a regimen of healthy eating, regular exercise, walking and daily meditation, underscoring her holistic approach to personal and professional fulfillment.

Ursula Lepporoli is a dynamic leader known for driving talent mobility across borders through her expertise in tax. She is the Tax and Legal lead for Victoria at her firm and is known and respected for cutting through complexity and making tax fun.

Ursula is a highly sought-after speaker and a LinkedIn influencer. She is also the executive sponsor for the Money Matters employee resource group at KPMG, where she hopes to help close the gap in wealth at retirement.

David Muchacha transitioned from a successful career in nursing to pursue his passion for finance and real estate. With 7 years of experience in the industry, he has become a respected property investment mentor, leveraging his diverse background to offer unique insights and strategies.

David's journey from nursing to finance has equipped him with a holistic understanding of client needs and a deep commitment to helping others achieve financial success through property investment.

Alongside mentoring, David manages a diverse property portfolio of his own across all residential property types, providing firsthand insight into the intricacies of real estate investment.

His blend of expertise and empathy makes him a valuable mentor for individuals seeking to navigate the world of property investment.

With nearly five years of experience in the finance space, Osei’s goal has been to inspire individuals to build wealth through property.

By assessing clients’ current financial positions, he aims to transform what might seem like a burden into an opportunity for growth.

He emphasises the importance of understanding how to leverage debt as a tool for gathering the building blocks of financial prosperity.

This all comes down to a simple driving force that he lives by: Making Finance Simple.

I am the CEO of the Cyber Leadership Institute, one of the fastest global communities of cyber leaders that actively collaborate and think critically to drive positive change within their environments and accelerate the creation of a resilient digital ecosystem.

The Cyber Leadership Institute has already equipped cyber leaders from more than 50 countries with practical strategy design, leadership, and executive communication skills, helping sharpen their influence on the c-suite and the board. Some of our graduates hold executive positions at the world’s iconic brands such as McKinsey, Accenture, Nike, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and USA Airforce, to mention just a few.

• Author of The Five Anchors of Cyber Resilience, named top five best cyber security books at the 2021 UK National Book Awards.
• Author of The Gift of Adversity, a poignant, hilarious, and impeccably written memoir that proves the remarkable power of education and grit to defeat poverty and despair.
• 2017 winner of ISACA International’s Best Book/Article Award, one of ISACA’s highest global honours, which recognises individuals for major contributions to cybersecurity and IT governance publications.
• 2020 Global Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD - New York) - 4th Industrial Revolution Category. MIPAD is a unique global list that identifies high achievers of African descent globally in support of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024), proclaimed by the UN General Assembly Resolution 68/237.

Sherry-Rose is a purpose-driven entrepreneur, changemaker, and public speaker, passionate about sustainable community development, social enterprise, diversity, women in leadership, and the social, political, and economic empowerment of women and girls worldwide.

As a dedicated youth advocate, Sherry-Rose has represented her peers as Vice-chair on the Victorian Government’s Youth Congress, a local ambassador and Youth Activist for Plan International Australia, and a Committee Member of both the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s (VMC) Multicultural Youth Network and the Victorian Government’s Rights Responsibilities and Consequences Advisory Group.

Internationally, she has acted as a Victorian Australian Youth Representative to the International Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP), an Australian diaspora youth representative to the African Union Consultative Conference in China, and an observer at The United Nations Consultative Status on Women Conference (CSW65).

As a consultant, Sherry-Rose works on co-design projects centered around youth advocacy, community development, and diversity in leadership. She is also the founder of the social enterprise WomanGirl, which empowers diverse young women by creating greater access to opportunities for their personal and professional development. Most recently, she founded MIYA, a lifestyle cookie brand that supports community wellbeing programs, raises awareness about mental health, and spreads joy through indulgent cookies.

In all her endeavors, Sherry-Rose seeks to challenge individuals and communities, especially young people, to recognize their power, harness their talents, and become active collaborators for systems change. Her vision is to one day lead innovative global social impact projects, collaborating with experts across diverse industries to design a more sustainable and equitable world.

On her journey, she hopes to inspire others, particularly young women of color, to aspire for more, live boldly, and strive to reach their full potential.

Aminata Conteh-Biger is the Founder & CEO of the Aminata Maternal Foundation. A former refugee from Sierra Leone, she is a Special Representative for Australia United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Aminata is also an author; her debut book, Rising Heart, was published in 2020 by Pan Macmillan Australia.

Growing up in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Aminata enjoyed a charmed life alongside her siblings and beloved father, Pa Conteh. Her life changed irrevocably when, as a teenager, she was kidnapped by rebel forces and held captive for months, used as a weapon of the bloody, violent civil war. Granted refugee status in 2000, Aminata became one of the very first Sierra Leonean refugee women to settle in Australia.

Since then Aminata has forged an impressive life in Australia, living by the core values of benevolence, gratitude and ‘giving back’, instilled in her by her father during her formative years. She is on the Board of The Social Outfit and regularly speaks at corporates, organisation, universities, schools and community avenues to inspire the next and generation to lead with purpose and implement change for good in their chosen path.

Aminata describes the Aminata Maternal Foundation as her life’s work. In 2016, Aminata travelled to Sierra Leone and cited the country’s maternal healthcare crisis with SBS Television Dateline’s award-winning documentary ‘Daughter of Sierra Leone’. Since forming the foundation in 2014, her organisation is striving to raise funds to provide a safe, affordable and high quality service for mothers and babies to experience safe delivery during childbirth with their partners such as the Aberdeen Women’s Centre.

In April 2021, Aminata was the recipient of the Women’s Agenda Agenda Setter of the Year Award for her arduous work with the AMF. She was invited to be a Keynote speaker at the momentous 2021 Women’s March 4 Justice in Canberra, where she captivated the audience with her discourse about equality, equity and telling real, unfiltered narratives to effect change. In December 2021, her dedication to her home country was recognised by the Celebration of African Australians NSW organisation with a Humanitarian Award.

Also in 2021, Aminata’s talents as a CEO led to an invitation for a full scholarship in the prestigious McKinsey Leadership Development Program.

Aminata’s story has been featured in an array of media channels, including BBC World News, SBS Dateline The Conversations, The Project, ABC Radio National and The Australian Women’s Weekly and Marie Claire magazines.

She now resides in Sydney with her husband and two young children.

Catherine Madziva is a community advocate, program leader, and Social Work Tutor at Western Sydney University, where she specialises in social work practice and human services.

She leads the world-first Physical Health Care Navigation model at Charles Sturt University, supporting people with severe mental illness.

Catherine brings deep expertise in social policy, equity-based design, and diaspora engagement. She serves on the ZIMAA IMPACT leadership team and founded ZimConnect’s Girls Night Program.

With experience across the UNAA, Miss Sahara, and regional policy forums, Catherine champions culturally responsive practice and amplifies African women’s voices through education, advocacy, and inclusive community development.

Angelica Ojinnaka-Psillakis is a social and health researcher, policy advocate, and community leader with over a decade of experience in youth and health policy.

She manages Future Healthy Countdown 2030, Australia’s national framework tracking children and young people’s wellbeing and driving policy action. She served as 2022 Australian Youth Representative to the UN, and is the Vice Chair of African Women Australia. She is also an Investigator on several national research initiatives.

Angelica also advises organisations like UNESCO and Sydney Women's Fund. A regular feature on ABC Weekend Breakfast, SBS News, and The Guardian, she was awarded the NSW Premier's Youth Medal in 2021.

Nasalifya Namwinga (She/Her) is a proud Zambian woman who was raised in the UK and New Zealand. With a deep passion for mental health and wellbeing, she embarked on a journey to become a clinical psychologist, completing her training and beginning her professional career in this field. In 2018, Nasalifya founded Pola Psychology in Melbourne, which has now transformed into Pola Practice, a thriving multi-practitioner mental health and wellbeing service co-founded with Tigist Kebede.

Nasalifya’s specialisation lies in culturally responsive mental health service delivery, where she brings her expertise in evaluation, research, and program development. She is passionate about engaging in research that challenges Eurocentric concepts within psychology. One of her practice areas of focus is providing executive coaching for people in leadership roles, approaching it from an intersectional perspective. As a board member for NETS Victoria and a textile artist and inaugural winner of Rising Voices poetry-slam, she has a keen interest in the intersection between art and well-being.

Cynthia Simango has always been aware of how hair cuts close when it comes to identity, self-expression and beyond that self-love.

A Zimbabwean nurse, educator, and mum, Cynthia lived in Texas before moving to Australia to seek a better life. In Australia, she wanted hair care products that suited her kind of curly hair but whether it was in stores or salons, she couldn’t find any.

In talking to women of all curl types, she discovered that her hair story wasn’t unique.

In 2017, she launched Embrace For Every Curl, one of the first Australian-made product ranges made especially for curly hair.

Masego Pitso is an actor, model, and MC, who lives by the saying motho ke motho ka batho – "I am because you are." Born in Welkom, South Africa, she is currently residing on Dharug land.

Her craft is driven by a deep love of storytelling and community, rooted in a desire for truth to prevail. “It doesn't always have to be beautiful, but if it sits in truth, there is astonishing beauty to behold.”

Masego's theatre credits include Chewing Gum Dreams (2022, Green Door Theatre Company and Redline Productions), Is God Is (2023, Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company), The Lewis Trilogy (2024, Griffin Theatre Company), Who No Know Go Kno (2024, Malthouse Theatre), and Picnic At Hanging Rock (2025, Sydney Theatre Company).

Since arriving in Sydney from London almost 10 years ago, Chrissy’s innate talent for creating flawless colour, cuts, and styles on all textures has led her to being a sought-after stylist in Film & TV to being in demand as a global brand ambassador and educator for professional product houses, including Shea Moisture and Organic Suku.

Creative projects span shooting brand campaign imagery, research and development for new product launches, and colour trend forecasting – all on a global scale – as well as creating colour on the catwalk at Fashion Week in London, Milan, and New York.

Chrissy established Zemura in 2020, and it's her exacting eye for detail – from the salon’s authentically welcoming minimal aesthetic to the personalised service and luxurious hair looks served up within it – that sets the tone.

An innovative stylist of her generation - Chrissy appeared in titles including Elle, Instyle, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Marie Claire. Her ability to look after all hair textures has landed on film productions such as Nine Perfect Strangers, Expats & Hunger Games.

Polished and personable, Chrissy’s breadth of technique and mastery of hair, especially textured hair, has made her particularly renowned for creating the most beautiful, expensive-looking styles and effortless, envy-inducing hair for her loyal and discerning clientele that includes actors, musicians, creatives, and a well-heeled crowd of fashion and beauty insiders.

Adetokunboh Adeniyi is a first-time restaurateur who launched Little Lagos Bistro & Bar with the intention of bringing West African music, food, fashion, art, and culture to Australia.

A nomad who has lived in 5 cities before settling in Sydney, Ade, as he is popularly known, was determined to see that Nigerian food became mainstream within the Australian culinary scene.

Starting with food stalls at markets in Sydney and Melbourne, then operating a food truck for several years before finally opening the first venue in Newtown, Sydney. Ade was named by Hospitality Magazine as one of Hospitality’s 50 game-changers in 2021 & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 by Business News Australia.

He is regularly featured in the media promoting the West African community in Australia and has recently opened a second venue in Brisbane.

Dr Xavier Mulenga is a Psychiatrist with subspecialty training in Addictions & Eating Disorders, currently practicing primarily in Sydney. He aims to provide comprehensive assessments, education, and treatment to patients facing mental health and addiction issues.

Xavier is a dedicated mental health advocate within the African Australian community. Born and raised in Lusaka, Zambia, he immigrated to Australia in 2004 and pursued medical training at the University of Wollongong from 2008 to 2011.

After becoming a doctor, Xavier discovered his passion for Psychiatry, a field that aligned perfectly with his curious nature and love of open, meaningful conversations.

Outside of work, he enjoys reading, traveling, and dancing to amapiano.

C.J has been in the finance industry since 2006. He has a passion for helping small business owners and individuals to manage and grow their financial wellbeing with a strong accounting and tax background.

Having started his accounting career as a Jr to now being an accounting manager, C.J brings a wide range of knowledge throughout his years to be able to provide clients with expert advice, professionalism, responsiveness and peace of mind.

Lionel is a Senior Financial Planner with over 12 years’ experience working in the Financial Services and Insurance industries. His early career saw him working as a Case Manager where he managed complex injuries and from there he made a transition into financial planning within a face to face advisory role.

Initially providing simple advice to individuals - Over the years has slowly moved into providing advice to high net wealth individuals focusing on building wealth and helping his clients achieve their long term lifestyle goals.

Outside of his professional life, Lionel is a keen football follower and pursues varied interest from trying cusines from around the world to travelling. Lionel also enjoys spending time with his family which is also an important part of his identity.

Rider works as a Financial Advisor Support with a Boutique Wealth Management firm. She also has a background as a Social Media Coordinator, working for organisations such as 10 Lessons Learned, The Professional Development Forum, and the Not-For Profit organisation called The Helmsman Project.

The Helmsman Project was an organisation working with young people to help them realise their potential and become leaders of their own life. Over the years Rider has developed an enthusiastic curiosity for personal development and now being in finance this has shaped her focus on building the capacity of young people within finance.

Tracy is a seasoned Credentialed Mental Health Nurse and founder of Tabvuma Mental Health, a hybrid mental health service delivering culturally responsive and inclusive mental health support and therapy.

She is a Board Director for the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses where she promotes, supports and advocates on behalf of mental health nurses nationally. Tracy has previously served as an Executive Committee member with Zimbabwe Association in Australia, NSW where she contributed significantly to the preserving, promotion and supporting of Zimbabwean culture and initiatives in Australia.

Tracy is currently pursuing her PhD at Southern Cross University focused on exploring the perspectives of mental health consumers, carers and healthcare professionals regarding the Physical Health Nurse Consultant service. She has published several original research papers and presented at conferences on topics such as physical health and therapeutic environments for people with a lived experience of mental health issues.

Tracy is recognised as an accomplished healthcare professional, speaker and community leader evidenced by multiple awards from educational and health institutes, and community organisations. With a profound commitment to transformative mental health care and systems, she has naturally transitioned into research, project, and policy realms with the intention of bridging health inequities.

Merging her clinical expertise with a dedication to person-centered care, Tracy has cultivated a rich background in culturally safe and responsive mental health care provision within her private clinical practice, policy and project management approaches. Tracy has previously worked for the Mental Health Commission of NSW where she led state-wide mental health initiatives underscored by a strong commitment to co-producing solutions with local communities.

Tracy is committed to advancing the mental wealth for Black, African, migrant and all communities. She is a Pan-African at heart and believes in self-determination as one path forward for Black self-sufficiency. Moving with audacity, Tracy has dared to dream leading to the establishment of Tabvuma Mental Health.

Lionel is a Senior Financial Planner with over 12 years’ experience working in the Financial Services and Insurance industries. His early career saw him working as a Case Manager where he managed complex injuries and from there he made a transition into financial planning within a face to face advisory role.

Initially providing simple advice to individuals - Over the years has slowly moved into providing advice to high net wealth individuals focusing on building wealth and helping his clients achieve their long term lifestyle goals.

Outside of his professional life, Lionel is a keen football follower and pursues varied interest from trying cusines from around the world to travelling. Lionel also enjoys spending time with his family which is also an important part of his identity.

Fundi is the visionary Founder of SK00L 0F FL0W and the ingenious mind behind the 7Ps Coaching Framework. With a profound commitment to growth and empowerment, Fundi's journey encompasses leadership development, team building, and executive coaching.

Through SK00L 0F FL0W, he crafts transformative experiences that inspire individuals to reach their highest potential. Fundi's expertise is channelled through the innovative 7Ps Coaching Framework, which encapsulates his mastery in leadership and holistic development. His services go beyond conventional coaching, delving into the realms of personal and professional transformation.

As a driving force in the realm of leadership, Fundi's contributions ripple across industries, fostering a culture of excellence and empowerment. His legacy is one of empowerment, igniting the journey of countless individuals and teams towards success and fulfilment.

Peter Muzariri is a Partner at Muzariri Penny Lawyers and Head of Banking & Finance and Wealth Management practices. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from The University of Auckland and is admitted to practice in New Zealand, Victoria (Australia), and the High Court of Australia.

Peter takes a commercial, pragmatic approach to legal practice, with a diversified skillset spanning banking and finance law, corporate and commercial law, property law and development, and wealth and investment management. He has experience both as a private practice lawyer and in-house counsel, having worked at Arnold Bloch Leibler, a premium Australian law firm, and Costa Asset Management, a high net worth family office.

A relentless advocate who pursues optimal outcomes for his clients, Peter is particularly experienced in the structuring and negotiation of financing packages, especially within the property development sector.

Since breaking onto the scene in 2013, B Wise has been praised as one of Australia’s most important voices. At a time when the scene was going through a much needed shake up, the Nigerian-Australian artist emerged as a wildcard in Australian hip hop, and made his impact felt immediately, spearheading a cultural shift within a changing musical landscape.

Born to a Nigerian father and Australian mother, B Wise grew up between Sydney’s South West, Nigeria and rural NSW. He has spent his career representing the diverse voices of Western Sydney and offering a new insight into the ‘Australian experience’: growing up in the suburbs, facing challenges unique to the POC community up against the ropes and moreover, detailing the loyalty one has to their roots through it all.

The story audiences were introduced to with Wise’s acclaimed debut album ‘Area Famous’ in 2018 was refreshingly honest, without losing any grasp on self-awareness and a pure love for the music. It set Wise up as an engaging and formidable force within Australian hip hop’s new wave and was described by media as a landmark record, going on to win 2019 FBi Radio SMAC 'Record Of The Year' (the first Hip Hop album to win) and AIR Awards 'Best Independent Hip Hop Record'.

Following the success of his debut, B Wise signed a worldwide publishing deal with BMG and notably co-wrote Baker Boy’s hit record ‘Move’.

In 2021 he followed up with his sophomore album ‘jamie’, a critically acclaimed and celebratory record, exhibiting Wise’s vibrant storytelling alongside an all-star class of collaborators including Sampa The Great (Zambia), ONEFOUR, Kojey Radical (UK), Manu Crooks, Milan Ring, Becca Hatch, JessB (NZ) BLESSED and more. It was lauded by fans and media alike as a triumphant body of work which really showcased B Wise’s relationships across the artist community. ‘jamie’ went on to be nominated for Best Hip Hop Release at the 2021 ARIA Awards and 2021 Australian Music Prize.

With plans to tour ‘jamie’ suffering through multiple covid postponements (and ultimately a cancellation), in 2022 B Wise diversified his portfolio by joining the team at 96.1FM’s new CADA Radio Network, hosting a weekly radio show ‘B Wise By Your Side’, where he interviews an all-star list of local and international talent.

As he embarks on his third full length body of work, B Wise is not short on accolades under his belt. His rich catalogue has amassed 43.2 million streams and been embraced by global media tastemakers. triple j has heavily embraced B Wise throughout his career, spinning singles in high rotation and awarding ‘Area Famous’ their Feature Album. He appeared on their ABC TV show The Set and performed Like A Version", transforming Red Hot Chili Peppers 'Under The Bridge" into an uplifting modern day anthem.

He has toured with international stars Amine, Larry June, Schoolboy Q, Vince Staples, Freddie Gibbs, G-Eazy, Jay Rock and performed at Splendour In The Grass, Laneway Festival, Listen In (NZ) and Groovin The Moo. In 2024 B Wise was selected as one of 50 global artists for Youtube’s ‘Fifty Deep Class of 2024’. The project aims to support the fifty artists as this year’s important black voices within the international Hip Hop culture and community.

Alongside music, B Wise did the voice over for Australian Cancer Research Foundation’s 'Outsmart Cancer' campaign and is an ambassador for Voice For Change, a community-focussed youth initiative. He is an Alumni of Western Sydney University, graduating from a Bachelor of Business (Marketing). In 2019 he was named an Honorary Fellow for his contributions to music.

Effie Nkrumah is a multi-hyphenate creative of Ghanaian descent, a seasoned host, the voice of Astra in Riot Games’ Valorant, and currently the resident director of MJ The Musical Australia.

A contributor in the Growing up African in Australia anthology and proud Western Sydney artist, she holds an MA in Arts Politics from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.

After a decade choreographing in Ghana, the concept of challenging the single story of Africa became the driving force of her practice, with a focus on stories of people of African descent in diaspora. Her tableau vivant series See What I See has shown in Sydney, New York, and Accra.

Acting credits include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Seven Methods of Klling Kylie Jenner*, and La Belle Epoque. Directing credits include Akaraka, Malthouse’s Who Kno No Go Kno, Oshun, and Ilarun — all new Australian plays by writers of African descent.

Identifying and filling gaps, her mission is to ensure people living at the pinpoint of complex intersection can find a sense of grounding, joy, and renewed curiosity.

Gillian Dunn loves connecting people for meaningful conversation and is passionate about sharing cultural richness. She is a seasoned Music Industry professional, with a demonstrated history of leadership in the music industry.

With over 20 years working with APRA AMCOS, she has experience across Music Publishing, business relationship management and deep knowledge about royalties for the various rights within music and the ties to financial literacy that music creators need to understand.

She has a strong sense of community and social justice, and gets to flex that as a committee member of the Black Music Alliance Australia. She is kept grounded by her South African roots, two beautiful daughters and love of mountain biking.

The saying that "big things come in small packages" rings especially true when we're talking about Zimbabwean Australian emerging artist Chelle Tamika. She may be small in size, but the R&B/Soul songstress is an absolute vocal powerhouse with an electrifying presence on stage!

Chelle grew up performing in a variety of singing competitions and television shows, including Johnny Young's reboot of Young Talent Time (2012) and The Voice Australia on Team Kelly (2017). As a seasoned vocalist and captivating performer, Chelle uses her personal experiences and emotions within her music, drawing inspiration from the likes of Solange, Cleo Sol, and Ari Lennox.

Her most recent single, ‘Keep It Real’, produced by Chelsea Warner, is a sultry R&B/Soul hit that showcases Chelle's lush harmonies and soulful tone. The single gained major support through radio plays from Triple J shows including Home & Hosed, Late Nights, and Soul Ctrl. She was also invited to perform Keep It Real live on FBi Radio on the Sunset With Nazty Gurl show.

In 2024, Chelle was selected for the ‘One Off Traks’ Songwriting Camp, where she collaborated with artists such as Jamaica Moana, RISSA, and Pookie. She is also a current Converse All-Star, working on her own creative project with the sneaker brand and collaborating with other local Sydney creatives.

Recently, Chelle performed her headliner at Low302, backed by her incredible live band and supported by a packed-out room. She continues to wow audiences with her carefully curated yet captivating sets and has opened for artists like CD, Beckah Amani, and Pa777ience.

Chelle is definitely not one to be slept on — especially with new music and visuals on the way!

Ruth Nyaruot Ruach is the co-founder and executive director of Next In Colour and a founding member of Way Over There (WOT) Collective. She is dedicated to empowering her community and creating sustainable practices for future African artists.

As a multidisciplinary artist, cultural curator, community arts worker, creative entrepreneur, and academic, Ruth uses her art to explore her identity, environment, and blackness, while healing and liberating herself. She honors her cultural heritage and its significance as a black woman on stolen land.