2023 Shortlisted Nominee
Positive Role Model Award: LGBT
After organising Nigeria’s first-ever, all-inclusive LGBTQ+ Pride Protest across 15 locations, Joel experienced homophobia, and fled his home country for safety in the UK. Joel was unfortunately placed in a detention centre and faced even more violence where he was subject to sexual, physical, and verbal abuse. Joel Founded Mordi Ibe Foundation in 2015 (Nigeria’s only charity catering for LGBTQ+ students reaching over 90+ schools and 150,000 students/educators) Joel draws on his own experiences, recently speaking at the Labour/Conservative party conferences, highlighting the cost-of-living crisis in the LGBTQ+ community. With a varied approach to campaigning, Joel works with existing charities who operate in the UK, Nigeria/the African diaspora. Recently securing the title of LGBTQ+ Undergraduate of the Year, Diana Award etc. Joel is working on a project to raise awareness/funds for events such as UK Black Pride etc.