An Evening with Erinma Bell

Join Erinma Bell as she converses with other inspirational Black Women on what is like to be a black female leader today. 

The panel includes: 

• Dr Ngozi Edi-Osagie, Consultant Neonatologist 
• Dr Cordelle Ofori FFPH, Director of Public Health at Manchester City Council 

Erinma:

"Together, we'll be sharing our journeys and reflections on what it means to lead as Black women in the UK today - the challenges, the lessons, and the joys. 

"This will be an evening of honest conversation, inspiration, and connection. I'd love for you to be there and share in it with us."

About Erinma Bell

In 2003 Erinma became a co-founder and CEO of her own formidable charity known as CARISMA - Community Alliance for Renewal Inner South Manchester Area. This is a front-line community based group set up to offer life-chances for people in the community by giving them positive alternatives other than violent street, gun and gang crimes. 

This successful model enabled a 92% decrease in gun and gang crime in Manchester. There is a sculpture of Erinma, made from 50 recycled guns as a tribute to her anti-gun and gang crime works. The sculpture is the first female statue to go on a display in the Town Hall in 150 years!

About Dr Ngozi Edi-Osagi

Ngozi was the lead neonatologist at Manchester Foundation Trust for nine years, and held roles of Clinical Lead, Clinical Director, and Head of Division. In 2024 she became the lead neonataologist for England with responsibilities for the safety, quality, and delivery of all neonatal services nationally, encompassing 155 neonatal units. 

In 2003, with a colleague, she established a mother and baby HIV service at Manchester Foundation Trust, which continues today. The service has evolved from supporting patients living with and managing a serious disease to living well with a manageable condition. 

She is also the neonatal representative on the NHS Race and Health Observatory, medical advisor for the Caribbean and African Health Network and President of the Manchester Pediatric Society. In 2024, she was invited to Downing Street and spoke in Parliament on neonatal care, and received the Clinical Leadership award at the Black Healthcare Awards. 

About Dr Cordelle Ofori FFPH

Cordelle is the Director of Public Health for Manchester City Council. She qualified as a doctor from the University of Nottingham, and went on to train and practice as a GP before specialising in public health medicine. Her first-hand experience of the realities of health inequalities as a GP, and her work with charities in the past inspired her passion for improving health equity. She has a special interest in racial health equity and improving health for marginalised communities. 

She leads work to protect and improve the health of residents in the city of Manchester using data and evidence, and working with the organisations, agencies and sectors that have an impact on people's health. This includes the development and delivery of 'Making Manchester Fairer', the city's ambition to tackle the unfair and preventable differences in health between different groups of people. The plan focuses on the foundations of good health such as giving children and young people the best start, community power, and reducing the impact of poverty, racism and discrimination on people's health.