MEET THE TEAM
Aderonke Apata
Founder and CEO
Aderonke founded 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. Alongside running African Rainbow Family, she achieved her Bar Professional Training Course and Master of Laws in 2021 and in October 2022, was Called to the Bar.
Adeniyi Balogun
Refugee Advocacy Lead
Adeniyi is a Human Rights Lawyer from Nigeria. He has a Masters degree in International Human Rights Law from the University of Bradford. Adeniyi’s advocacy for LGBTIQ rights started when he was the treasurer of the Amnesty International Society at the University of Bradford. He is currently the Refugee Advocacy Lead at African Rainbow Family where he supports LGBTIQ people seeking asylum in the UK.
Rohan Williams
Refugee Campaign and Communications Officer
Rohan was born in Wales and moved to Manchester in 2018 after spending a year volunteering in Thailand. He has a degree in BSocSc Social Anthropology and a Masters in Humanitarianism and Conflict Response from the University of Manchester. Rohan manages our social media, public campaigns, press relations and communications, while supporting our service users day to day.
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 Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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!
Aisha Rehman
Refugee Advocacy Assistant
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.
Our Trustees
Regina Mensah
Katie Michelle Ivy Elizabeth Brown
Kristina Martirosjana
Mazharul Islam
Tsegazeab Redda