Mercy Gilbert

International Woman Of The Year

Mercy Gilbert has been chair of the Conservatives Party of Orpington (United Kingdom) for five years. During her tenure, she has met and welcomed several prime ministers into her constituency. Gilbert also has been a key part of Shaun Bailey's campaign which saw him come second in the mayoral elections. A native of Zimbabwe, Africa, and a citizen of the United Kingdom, (UK), she is considered to be the most influential Black women in London, England. President and CEO of Gilbert Media Group and public relations, Inc., Gilbert has worked to organized high-end and political events for her “A” list clients. A sought-after public relations and marketing brand strategist, Gilbert has uniquely used her influence to connect people and resources throughout the United Kingdom and Africa to address the issues of race, diversity and inclusion and women’s suffrage. Gilbert made history in the U.K. becoming the first Black woman ever to be elected chairperson of Petts Wood and Knoll conservative party, which she’s won consistently for the past five years.

She is vice-president of the Clapton Football Club and currently is setting up a women’s football team under that club with the goal of women receiving equal pay while playing both nationally and internationally. Gilbert’s enthusiasm and passion for women’s empowerment has led her to be appointed as the country’s head for the Global Women Development Network (GWDN), part of the United Nations initiative for women’s empowerment. She also holds the title of United Kingdom ambassador.

Gilbert has previously served as a United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) children's ambassador and she lobbied on issues pertaining to child immunization. She has helped African countries in development facilitate sanctions as well as assisted in other political issue solutions.

Gilbert moderated panel discussions for Commonwealth Summit in 2022, co-hosted several trade missions from Africa, which include London political summit, Nigeria trade mission and an investment mission from Africa. She has hosted various African country leaders and will soon organize a summit in the U.K. She holds her yearly events in parliament and House of Lords and in Mr. Speaker’s palace to empower the Black community.

She has spearheaded numerous political programs, interviewing politicians from across the continent, and has written for various publications showcasing African culture.