Our delegation at the Skoll Forum is composedofwomenwhoaremembersof ournetworkandhavebeencriticaltothe work we have undertaken over the past fifteen years. On our 15th anniversary, these fifteen women—representing five countries and spanning diverse sectors, generations, and geographies—will come together to reflect and strategize, with the goal of elevating collective action in responsetotoday’sglobaldchallenges.
Here are the key concepts we will be exploringduringtheforumaspartofour #15AnniversaryAgenda:
Her power ignites solutions
Thesewomenhavecultivatedpower andinfluencetodrivetransformative changebytakingonkeyrolesacross various institutional frameworks— including the private sector, philanthropy, government, cooperative agencies, media, and banks. Additionally, they have built organizations and networks that amplify the voices and influence of communities historically objectified, underrepresented,andexcluded.
Her vision shapes futures
With foresight and creativity, thesewomenenvisionandbuild platforms for more equitable futures. Drawing from their own narratives, they materialize their vision through innovative programs, mentoring initiatives, andbycarvingouttheirownspaces and voices across multiple sectors toshareandamplifytheirideas.
Her courage fuels strength
Their bravery in stepping into new roles and creating spaces that once did not exist for diverse women challenges the status quo. They transcend traditional notions of power, purposefullybreakingbarriersto pave the way for other diverse leaders to thrive. In doing so, theyfosterresilienceandignite inspiration within communities acrosstheglobe.
Her innovation crafts legacy Her voice brings wisdom
Through their unwavering commitment, these women are building a legacy that drives generational change, inspiring future leaders to continue the fightforequalityandjustice.
With foresight and creativity, thesewomenenvisionandbuild platforms for more equitable futures.Drawingfromtheirown narratives, they materialize their vision through innovative programs, mentoring initiatives, and by carving out their own spaces and voices across multiple sectors to share and amplifytheirideas.
Our Visible
Women: Who is Who?
How do we connect? The multiplicity of assets to build the agenda
as the founder and director of Corporación Flor Púrpura, she focuses on empowering Afro-descendant women and has positively impacted over 300girlsandyoungwomenthroughleadershipinitiatives.Inadditiontoher role at Corporación Flor Púrpura, Erika serves as a public official in the Women'sSecretariatoftheMedellínTownHall.
Erika has held key positions as a cultural manager at Corporación Manos Visibles. She led projects such as the establishment of the African Literature Library for Black and Indigenous communities. and has also taught courses on gender and intersectionality, From 2011 to 2025, Erika Cruz Palacio Girón has actively participated in several key programs under the Visible Hands leadership route such as the Poder Pacífico Scholarship to pursue a Master's in Government at EAFIT University, the DALE Youth Leadership School Scholarship, MINGALAB Program among others. Additionally,sheisaformerscholarshiprecipientoftheMartinLutherKing Jr.ScholarshipProgramfromtheU.S.Embassy.
Is a leader in economic and business development for the Pacific Region of Colombia, with a career focused on designing and implementing strategies for economic transformation and social innovation. Has held key roles, including the Executive Presidency of the Chamber of Commerce of Buenaventura, the Management of the Center for Business Development of the Port Society Foundation and the co-foundation of Destila Patrimonio, a collective dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Viche, the ancestral drink of the Colombian Pacific. Her leadership route with Visible Hands started more than a decade ago when she participated in several programs: MIT's Community Innovation Lab and the Poder Pacífico Scholarship for Master degree in Governance, the design of Visible Hands SchoolofEconomicDevelopment,amongotherprograms.
CEO of PretaHub and Instituto Feira Preta Brasil. Adriana Barbosa is a leading voice in Brazil's creative and racial economy. She founded Feira Preta, the largest black culture event in Latin America. Over the past 20 years, this event has attracted over 200,000 attendees and generated approximately R$ 6.5 million in sales for more than 1,900 exhibitors. Adriana collaborates with major companieslikeNetflixandGoogle,anditismemberoftheboardofSistemaB, Instituto Ethos, and GIFE. She is part of the AFROINNOVA network of Visible Hands, has been mentor and tutor of several programs in Colombia as well as partnered with Feira Preta of the AfroLab, a network of one hundred Afrocolombianwomenentrepreneurs.
Is a Brazilian journalist, writer, and activist with a strong focus on gender, social justice, digital rights, and civic engagement. Graciela is also the founder of Instituto Toriba, which supports civil society organizations and philanthropic institutions in developing innovative, futures-oriented strategiesandprograms.CurrentlyservingasaSeniorAdvisor
Previously, Graciela held the position of Senior Program Officer at the Ford Foundation, where she created strategies addressing Technology and Society, Creativity and Freedom of Expression, and Civic Engagement and Governance, all through a gender and race lens. She co-founded Instituto Nupef, a research and advocacy organization for digital rights, and served as editor-in-chief of poliTICs magazine, Brazil's first publication on politics and digital rights. Graciela's commitment to social equity is further exemplified by her roles on several boards, including Oxfam Brazil, More in Common, and the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection (IDEC). Graciela is a member of AFROINNOVA and a board member of Manos Visibles.
Linkedin: Graciela Selaimen
President of APAN ( Association of Black Brazilian
Tatiana Carvalho Costa is a filmmaker, professor, and researcher. She is a PhD candidate at PPGCOM/UFMG and a professor at Centro Universitário UNA in Belo Horizonte. At UFMG, she was part of the research group CORAGEM Communication, Race, and Gender. She is also involved in the segundaPRETA movement and collaborates as a curator, programmer, and
Filmmakers and
Viviane is a Brazilian director, screenwriter, and producer. She founded Odun Filmes, a production company focused on identities in audiovisual, cultural, and educational projects. As president and co-founder of the Brazilian Association of Black Audiovisual Professionals (APAN), she advocates for greater Black
Her career took off with O Dia de Jerusa (2014), presented at the Cannes Film Festival and later adapted into the feature A Day With Jerusa (2020), making her the second Black woman in Brazil to direct a feature film. Viviane has led the collectiveMulheresdeOdun,servedaspresidentoftheyouthcollectiveCeafroin Salvador, and chaired the Selection Committee for the 2021 Brazilian Oscar Awards. She was also President of the São Paulo Film Commission and a senior advisor on film policy for President Lula. Viviane is a member of the FOCO program by Manos Visibles and APAN, connecting Afro-Brazilian and AfroColombianfilmmakers.
and others. She has held academic positions at Obafemi Awolowo University and Warwick University. She sits on the editorial boards of several influential journals and is the former chair of the board for The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs).
Linkedin: Bibi Bakare-Yusuf
More about Bibi: https://cassavarepublic.biz/
VISIBLEWOMENKENYA VISIBLEWOMEN EQUATORIAL GUINEE
DORCAS OWINOH
Is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Lakehub,she has been instrumental in redefining access to technology and entrepreneurship in Kenya.
Currently, she leads Zone01 Kisumu, a pioneering digital skills program designed to bridge the gap between education and employment in Africa’s tech industry. A trailblazer in Africa’s technology and innovation ecosystem,
Dorcas has transformed challenges into opportunities, earning prestigious accolades such as Forbes 30 Under 30, Top 40 Under 40 Women in Kenya, and a nomination for the Sakharov Peace Prize. She has participated in andisanactivememberofAFROINNOVATECH.
LinkedIn: Dorcas Owinoh
More about Dorcas: https://nation.africa/kenya/news/gender/women-techies-puttingkenya-on-the-global-map-4162360
SUSANA EDJANG
/ SPAIN
Is the Country Representative in Argentina at CAF – the development bank for Latin AmericaandtheCaribbean.
Susana has over 20 years of experience in global development across the Americas, Africa, and Europe. Susana joined CAF in 2022 as Country Representative in Ecuador beforetakingonhercurrentroleinArgentina.
She previously held various roles in the United Nations system, including at the World FoodProgramme,theUNSecurityCouncil,theUNPopulationFund,andtheExecutive Office of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, where she managed the Every Woman, Every Child movement and advised on economic, social and development affairs. She alsoservedasaglobalhealthandclimatechangeadvisorattheBritishParliamentand asamanageratGlobalHealthPartnerships(formerlyTHET).
Susana is a Trustee at The Power of Nutrition. She holds a Diploma in Physiotherapy fromtheComplutenseUniversityofMadrid,aBScandMScinDevelopmentEconomics fromSOAS,UniversityofLondon,andanMPAfromHarvard’sKennedySchool.Sheisa 2014YaleWorldFellow.
More about Susana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanaedjang/? originalSubdomain=ar
MANOS VISIBLES TEAM
Is the Founder and President of Manos Visibles (Visible Hands), a leading Colombian NGO. She holds a certificate in Italian language and culture from the Italian Institute of Culture, degrees in industrial engineering from the Universidad Autónoma de Colombia, and an
After working in development agencies, Paula served as Colombia's Minister of Culture from 2007 to 2010, making history as the youngest woman and first Afro descendant appointed as a cabinet minister in the country. She has served on the Board of Trustees of the Ford Foundation for the past 10 years, chairing the Foundation’s Program committee. Paula is also an accomplished author with two best-selling books, "El Poder de lo Invisible" and "Soñar lo Imposible," and has received numerous awards recognizing her leadership in
Currently, she is the Manager of Community Empowerment and Gender and leads the Ethnic Fund for Black and Indigenous Women at Manos Visibles.She has been a fellow including the Martin Luther King Jr. Fellowship Program by the U.S. Embassy and One Young World, She has worked as a volunteer, coordinator and a manager fromthefoundationofVisibleHands.
Linkedin: Giuliana Brayan Alvarez
1st Visible Women
Space
Saïd Business School
TBEC - Seminar 13
Registration
Public and Private Events
OUR PRESENCE AT THE SKOLL FORUM OUR AGENDA
TheForum.TheannualSkollWorld Forum connects leaders who are driving social progress around the world.The 1500+ members of the Forum community come from the public and private sectors, media, academia, and the arts. More than half of the delegates who attend are social entrepreneurs and innovatorsspanningglobalissues.
Serendipity
Roundtables and Co-Creation
Spaces hosted by Manos Visibles
Saïd Business School
TBEC - Classroom 1
Sessions and Workshops
Connection Activities
Closing Visible
Women Space
At the start of the Forum, we will dedicate the morning to setting our collective purpose,reflectingonourroleinthisglobalspace,andstrengtheningconnections withintheManosVisiblesdelegation.Afterdaysofintensedialogueandlearning,we will reconvene to outline key takeaways, map out actionable insights, and identify opportunitiesemergingfromourparticipation.
Visible Women Cohort: Strategic Spaces. Roundtables and Co-Creation Spaces.
As hosts and facilitators, Manos Visibles will lead strategic discussions alongside cohort members, creating spaces for exchange, knowledge-building, and collaboration.Thesesessionsgobeyondamplifyingexistingnarratives—wewillopen new fields of inquiry, forge meaningful partnerships, and explore pathways for collectiveaction.
First Day | Tuesday, April 1st
Are there Black Women in the future? The Ancestors of the Future
Saïd Business School: TBEC - Seminar 13 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Guiding Questions: Initial introductions
At this moment, where is the "I" of Skoll as a human being? What is this phase of life like, and how do we perceive our personal leadership? How are we leading ourselves through this journey? As we prepare to begin the first day, what reflections arise? Who do we want to be, and what kind of ancestors do wewishtobecomeforthefuture?.
8:30 AM -10.00 AM AreIorAreWeintheFuture?
Session Overview lead by Paula Moreno:
To begin our gathering, each participant will engage in a reflective 10-minute presentation. This session is designed to celebrate your personal journey, connectthepasttothepresent,andenvisionthefuture.
Fourkeywordsthatencapsulateyouraspirationsattheselevels: Personal
Emotional Professional
11:30 AM -12.00 PM Our Agenda and Infrastructures for Defying PrescriptedFutures
Session lead by Susana Edjang and Graciela Selaimen
Susana Edjang presents and lead a conversation on our PrescriptedFutures
GracielaSelaimenleadusonhowtoimaginenewfutures
PreviousWork:PrescribedFuturesforBlackWomen
Task Description:
Identifyanddescribeoneortwo"prescribedfutures"thathave been defined for Black women globally or within a specific country.
Methodology:
For this task, you are encouraged to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, data sources, and other external researchtogatherinsights.
Submission Instructions:
Once your analysis is complete, send your findings to Giuliana Brayan or share them in the WhatsApp group for review and discussion.
Deadline:March28,2025
Thisagendaisdesignedtoestablishaseriesofinfrastructures thatchallengeandreimagineprescriptivenarrativesaboutthe future. Each participant or group is tasked with exploring and developing specific aspects of these infrastructures in an actionableform:
Focus: Harnessing the power of creativity and inspiration to envision and construct alternative futures.
Key Areas:
Storytelling and artistic expressions.
Community-building through creative practices.
Celebrating individual and collective narratives that defy set futures.
Focus: Identifying and mobilizing resources to support sustainable and equitable futures for Black women.
Key Areas:
Economic resources and funding opportunities.- Black markets- Black money
Networks of mutual aid and support.
Focus: Leveraging technology to disrupt systemic inequities.
Focus: Supporting and inspiring the next generation to envision and drive change.
Key Areas:
Mentorship and leadership development.
Intergenerational dialogue and knowledge sharing.
Encouraging young voices to challenge prescriptive narratives and imagine new possibilities.
Paula Moreno, Giuliana Brayan and Susana Edjang draft the mental map and agenda to share with the conclusions to the agenda and infrastructure to respond to the questions: Are the Black Women in the future? Which futures? with the review of Graciela and Bibi.
From 2 p.m.
Registration, enjoying Skoll Forum tours to Oxford, welcome spaces and enjoy our time together.
Second Day | April 2nd,2025
Fully Immersing in the Skoll
Forum (Plan your day)
On this day, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy and fully immerse themselves in the Skoll Forum. No cohort-specific activities are scheduled, allowing everyone to:
Attend sessions and events of their choice.
Explore inspiring conversations and networking opportunities.
Engage with global changemakers and thought leaders in the forum.
Take this time to absorb, reflect, and connect with the rich array of ideas and initiatives shared at the Skoll Forum.
Third Day | April 3rd,2025
Narratives of the Future: The Vanguard Against Backwardness
Building the "New New" and Materializing the Impossible
8:00-10:00 a.m. - Saïd Business School
TBEC - Classroom 1
Hosted by Manos Visibles #15Years and Instituto Toriba
Moderate by: Graciela Selaimen , Director Instituto Toriba (Brasil) and BoardmemberofManosVIsibles
This session explores the transformative power of storytelling in shaping the"spiritofthetimes"anddismantlingbackwardness.Byintegratingbold narratives, technology, and systemic change, the Global South can lead in reimagining the future—one that breaks free from dependency and materializestheimpossible.Panelistswilldiscusshowtoprototyperadical futures, use technology as a tool for liberation, and scale systemic solutionsthatredefineprogressandself-determination.
Panelists: Milady Garcés, Dorcas Owino, Adriana Barbosa moderate by SusanaEdjang
Conversations about change are abundant, but real transformation happens when vision, strategy, and execution align. This session explores the leadership imperative for systemic change, defining howinterconnectedshiftsinstructures,policies,andmindsetsdrive lasting impact. Panelists will discuss prioritizing critical agendas, leveraging high-impact actions, and moving from dialogue to measurable results. How do we rewire systems to accelerate transformation?Let’sgobeyondtalkandintoaction.
Closing and Departure Day | April 5th,2025 9:00 AM -11:00 AM
The Agenda Created—What Follows? How Will We Take Care ofOurselves?
Reflect on the agenda and infrastructures developed duringthegathering.
Discuss actionable next steps and commitments to continuedefyingprescriptivefutures.
Share strategies for self-care and collective care as we moveforwardinourefforts.
FinalReflectionsandClosingRitual
Engage in a reflective session to revisit the keys to the doorsofpossibilitiesexploredoverthepastdays.
Participate in a meaningful closing ritual to honor the journey, the connections made, and the shared aspirations.
Bid farewell to group members as we transition into the nextphaseofthiswork.
Important topics to keep in mind as a forum participant
Accommodation is covered from March 31 to April 5. A full breakfast will be provided each morning from 8:00 to 9:00 am in the on-site café. Participants will stay at Cohen Quad –Exeter College. More information, including a short video and images, is available here. For additional travel details, refer to this resource.
Language translation will be available for all inperson and virtual attendees via AI-powered translation from Wordly. This service is accessible through web browsers and a mobile app. It is recommended to bring personal headphones to access the translation service.
For this cohort, flights and accommodation from March 31 to April 5 are fully covered. However, please note that: Personal expenses, such as meals outside the Forum program, local transportation, and any additional costs, are the responsibility of each participant.
CODEOFCONDUCT.
The Skoll Foundation is committed to fostering an inclusive environment free from harassment, discrimination, and disrespectful behavior. It is essential that all delegates feel safe and able to participate fully. Please review the Code of Conduct and Community Guidelines.
EMERGENCYCONTACTS & IMPORTANTINFORMATION
Your safety and well-being are our priority. Please take note o
Manos Visibles Emergency Contact
Giuliana Brayan
�� +57 320 462 2930
✉ dale@manosvisibles.org
Health & Medical Insurance
All participants must have valid travel health insurance. This emergencies while in the U.K.
Make sure to carry a copy of your insurance policy and verify t
Emergency Numbers in the U.K.
�� 999 (for police, fire, or medical emergencies)
�� 111 (for non-urgent medical assistance)
We encourage all participants to stay informed, take necessary support is needed.
#ManosVisibles15years
Fifteen years.
Over 5,000 days and 120,000 hours.
From Colombia to the world— living our dreams of humanity and belonging, because this world needs all of us.
Fifteen years of saying:
"This is not the other Colombia; this is the future of Colombia."
Fifteen years of opening doors— some creaking, some closing again.
Of loving societies that do not always love us back.
Of joy, grief, and navigating uncertainty. Of making the margins our center.
Fifteen years of family, of thousands and thousands of hands— in Colombia and across the globe.
Fifteen years of Manos Visibles: a legacy of generational transformation, and love. Together, we have built a foundation for the future.
And the journey continues.
With deep gratitude to the Skoll Foundationfor supporting us as we celebrate this milestone at the Skoll Forum.
