MEET THE TEAM
Aderonke Apata
Founder and CEO
Aderonke Apata is a Multi-Award-Winning Human Rights Activist. Barrister (Unregistered) with a Master of Laws and an ADR ODR International Accredited Mediator: Civil/Commercial. She’s a feminist, an advocate and campaigner for LGBTIQ+ people seeking asylum.
Aderonke founded the African Rainbow Family in 2014 amidst her thirteen-year journey to being granted asylum in the UK. Fleeing Nigeria in 2004 after being sentenced to death for being a lesbian, Aderonke fought hard to be granted her freedom and for other people. Alongside running African Rainbow Family, she achieved her Bar Professional Training Course and Master of Laws in 2021 and in October 2022, Aderonke was Called to the Bar of England and Wales as a qualified Barrister.
Aderonke co-Authored and developed The Black Leadership Empowerment Programme (BLEP) as part of the Black Leaders Programme’s initiative following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. BLEP is now taught as a tailored education through online courses, community hubs, and a practical work-based module at The Open University Business School (OUBS). As well as enhancing leadership skills, the BLEP module is to empowering individuals, promoting equality, building networks, paving the way for inclusivity and social mobility.
Aderonke is an inspirational speaker, passionate about delivering various charity management, EDI, and LGBTIQ+ asylum process training. She also co-Authored a Research Handbook on Asylum and Refugee Policy:
Held, N. and Apata, A., ‘Intersections of gender, sexuality and “race” in queer asylum claims‘, in Jane Freedman and Glenda Santana de Andrade (eds.), Research Handbook on Asylum and Refugee Policy, Elgar, pp. 239-250 (Chapter 15).
Adeniyi Balogun
Refugee Advocacy and Campaigns Manager
Adeniyi is a Human Rights Lawyer and refugee from Nigeria whose journey has shaped his deep commitment to justice and equality. He holds a Master’s degree in International Human Rights Law from the University of Bradford, where his advocacy for LGBTIQ+ rights first took root as Treasurer of the Amnesty International Society.
Driven by his own experiences, Adeniyi is passionate about supporting people fleeing persecution and building safer, more inclusive communities.
Adeniyi previously served as the Refugee Advocacy Lead at African Rainbow Family and now works as the Refugee Advocacy and Campaigns Manager, continuing to champion the rights and dignity of LGBTIQ+ refugees and people seeking asylum.
Opeoluwa Fakayode
Charity Finance Officer
Opeoluwa Fakayode is a Fellow of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) and holding an MSc in Professional Accounting from the University of East London, Opeoluwa brings extensive expertise in financial management and compliance.
Dedicated to LGBTIQ+ advocacy, Opeoluwa ensures the organization’s financial health, supporting its mission to promote equality and provide resources for marginalized communities.
Bahareh Ezzat
Grants and Monitoring Officer
Bahareh Ezzat has been the Grants and Monitoring Officer at African Rainbow Family since May. She was born in Iran and moved to London with her family aged 5, so has lived experience of the UK asylum process.
Aisha Rehman
Refugee Advocacy Lead
Aisha is our dedicated staff member based in London, she does a spectacular job at supporting the large community of service users in the area. Aisha regularly manages the Monthly Sibling Meeting in London and ensures that everybody has a great time.
Philippa Metcalfe
Refugee Advocacy Assistant
Philippa is our Advocacy Assistant for our Birmingham group, organising the monthly meetings and supporting our siblings in Birmingham. She has experience working with grassroots and self-organised migrant solidarity across Europe, spending time in the UK and Greece supporting people on the move and seeking asylum.
She holds a PhD from Cardiff University, where she researched the violence of Europe’s borders and the ongoing digitalisation of migration controls, and holds a Masters in Social and Public policy.
Muhammad Javed
Refugee Advocacy Assistant
Muhammad is our dedicated staff member based in Leeds, he is based in the city and does an amazing job with supporting our service users in the area. He regularly plans and hosts the Monthly Sibling Meetings in Leeds and most recently, arranged some incredible Pakistani food for the family at Leeds Pride!
Oyindamola Amodu
Refugee Advocacy Assistant
Oyindamola is our Manchester-based Advocacy Assistant, she is currently studying at university alongside working at African Rainbow Family and is passionate about psychology and the field of mental health. Oyindamola currently manages the registration of our new service users – a crucial aspect of our service – and she currently works Mondays and Wednesdays.
Akindele Akinlosotu
IT Administrator
With over 10 years of diverse experience across technology, business strategy, and management, he operates at the intersection of professional excellence and social impact. He is a creative thinker, an industrious professional, and an active global citizen dedicated to driving meaningful change.
His academic foundation includes an M.Sc. in Maritime Administration and Management, which grounds his approach in structured, high-level strategic planning.
Currently, he channel his professional expertise into supporting the African Rainbow Family, where he is applying his Data and Cyber Security skills, Strategic skills and Advocacy skills to empower and protect the community
He is a patriotic and vibrant young man committed to using his skills, from the Manchester office to community outreach, to build a safer, more equitable future.
Alexandra Mbonu
Refugee Advocacy and Integration Assistant
Alexandra is a Refugee Advocacy and Integration Assistant, passionate about supporting people seeking asylum and promoting inclusive communities.
She holds a BSc in Public Health and certifications in Mental Health First Aid and Virtual Assistance. With experience in fashion production and customer relations and working with LGBTIQ+ communities, she combines empathy, communication, and organizational skills to help individuals feel supported and empowered.
She is active in our Manchester group, organizing monthly meetings, supporting siblings in the area, and leading our integration online sessions.
Oluwatoyosi Ajayi
Volunteer Coordinator
Oluwatoyosi is the Volunteer Coordinator for African Rainbow Family, where she leads the recruitment, coordination, and support of volunteers dedicated to advancing the organization’s mission.
With a strong background in project leadership and digital strategy, she holds a Master’s degree in Digital Business from the University of Salford and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Oluwatoyosi is also a member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), reflecting her commitment to fostering safe, inclusive, and well-structured volunteering environments. Deeply passionate about community service and social impact, she plays a vital role in empowering volunteers to meaningfully support African LGBTIQ+ individuals, helping to promote equality, dignity, and a sense of belonging.
Tryness Ncube
Refugee Advocacy Assistant
Tryness is a lesbian who experienced prolonged injustice and persecution for over sixteen years before being granted asylum in the United Kingdom. During this time, she demonstrated resilience and determination in the face of significant adversity.
Professionally, she is a qualified nail beautician, holding a Diploma in Nail Technology from City & Guilds. Alongside her professional qualifications, she is deeply committed to community service and advocacy.
She is currently proud to work with African Rainbow Family, where she provides support and empowerment to LGBTIQ individuals, contributing to the promotion of dignity, inclusion, and equality for those who have faced marginalisation and displacement.
Luca Dicorato
Media, Relationships and Communication Officer
Luca is a filmmaker and media professional based in London. He holds an MA in Documentary Filmmaking and has worked and collaborated with several charities and non-profit organisations, producing films and media content focused on people, social issues, and lived experience.
His documentary work has been screened and awarded at international film festivals, and his background spans directing, filming, and editing across both independent and commissioned projects. Alongside his creative practice, Luca brings experience in visual storytelling for organisations, supporting communications and outreach through film and digital media.
He is currently working on his first feature-length documentary.
Our Trustees
Regina Mensah
Regina is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of African Rainbow Family and currently studying a Masters of Public Health degree. She has a degree in International Development: Third World and NGO Management and studied a PGCE, postgraduate course in teaching. With over 10 years of involvement, Regina has led strategic campaigns, influenced policy reforms, and provided vital support services to marginalized communities. As a Health and Social Care teacher, Regina is committed to addressing health inequalities, particularly through appraising public health policies like the Refugee Health Strategy (UKHSA, 2023). Her advocacy focuses on improving healthcare access, social integration, and equitable policies for displaced populations, ensuring their voices are heard at local and national levels.
Regina worked in the healthcare industry for over 10 years in the UK. She also has 10 years’ experience working in advocacy, policy and communications. She culminates this with motherhood, working on research and human rights for various organisations in the UK. Regina’s academic interests have focused on health inequalities and the unjust social and economic determinants that sustain these. She has conducted, or advised on, a multiplicity of large-scale national evaluations of community or place-based interventions, most of which have had some focus on the need for communities to have the collective power to influence change in their neighbourhoods. As a Trustee she has strong empathy with the objectives and purposes of ARF and LGBTIQ+ issues within this vulnerable category.
Hear what our Chairperson says:
“Working on The Board of Trustees means that one is jointly and responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of ARF as a charity, its financial health, the probity of its activities, and for developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal, and regulatory guidelines.”
Kudirat Abodunde
Kudirat Abodunde is a compassionate support worker with the NHS, devoted to enhancing the health and well-being of individuals within the community.
As a refugee herself, Kudirat has Lived Experience and understands the needs of our Siblings in the African Rainbow Family.
Bisi Balogun
Bisi is a dedicated member at ARF. An LGBTIQ+ organisation based in Manchester with over four years of active membership. She is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in health and social care at the university of greater Manchester. She is particularly passionate about mental health awareness, intersectional inclusion and creating safe spaces where every voice is heard.
Oyebola Babalola
Oyebola has over 14 years of experience in the care sector, supporting the elderly, people living with disabilities, and children. She holds a degree in Food Science and is deeply committed to addressing childhood malnutrition and improving nutrition for vulnerable groups.
Having personally experienced the asylum process, she has a strong understanding of the emotional and practical challenges faced by people seeking asylum. This lived experience motivates her voluntary work with African Rainbow Family’s Media Team, where she helps amplify voices and foster a sense of belonging.
Her advocacy focuses on opposing immigration detention, promoting social integration, and supporting policies that protect the mental wellbeing of people seeking asylum.
Olawunmi Kazeem
Olawunmi Kazeem is a dedicated Customer Expert committed to enhancing client satisfaction, service excellence, and organizational growth through customer experience management.
Ibidapo Korede Aduloju
Ibidapo is a B.Sc. Business Administration graduate with over 16 years of professional experience spanning administrative and business operations, as well as media and communication, across industries including Food, Telecommunications, Agriculture, Real Estate, and Financial Investment.
His career is marked by strong organizational leadership, effective communication, and a results-driven approach to managing complex functions in both dynamic and structured environments.
He values teamwork and believes collaboration and clear communication are essential for sustainable success. Passionate about mental well-being in the workplace, he advocates for healthy administrative cultures that promote balance, productivity, and personal growth, while upholding equality, inclusion, and ethical practices.
Beyond his professional work, he is committed to fair and transparent immigration processes and humanitarian causes, particularly the eradication of malaria in underprivileged African communities.
Currently, he serves in the Media and Communication Department of the African Rainbow Family, where he shapes narratives, raises awareness, and supports fair, inclusive, and sustainable immigration policies in the UK through strategic media engagement.
Babatunde Seun Ogundana
Babatunde is a seasoned finance and administration professional with extensive experience in senior management, finance, and human resources. He served as Finance/Admin Manager and Human Resources Manager, and was a senior management member of a professional association in Nigeria from January 2008 to December 2017, prior to relocating to the UK. Alongside his core roles, he has undertaken advisory positions focused on change management and humanitarian impact.
He holds a degree in Accountancy from the University of Lagos, a postgraduate degree in Business Management from Lagos State University, and an HND in Accountancy from Yaba College of Technology. He is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, and a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria. He is also certified in Human Resources Management.
His recent and previous roles include Finance and Administrative Manager at the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Senior Finance Staff at Oando Plc, Technical Staff at Momentum Instore Limited (UK), and Management Accountant at Phoenix International (UK). He is using his skills to support African Rainbow Family on the Board of Trustees