Who we are

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Dr. (Mrs.) Chinyere Elewachi Sam-Okerenta, commonly known as Chinny, is the founder of the African and Caribbean Cancer Support (ACCS) Organisation which was one of her many recommendations following her PhD research outcome at the University of Huddersfield. In her PhD study, Chinny explored the experiences of cancer survivorship support and care continuity among Black African and Caribbean populations in the UK.

Chinny is a seasoned professional nurse and public health practitioner with experiences spanning both UK and African contexts. She presently serves as a senior lecturer in Adult Nursing and Public Health at the Liverpool John Moores University, UK, where she currently leads a research project exploring the experiences and challenges of non-NHS cancer support organisations across the Liverpool City Region.

Beyond her academic and public health work, Dr. Chinyere Sam-Okerenta participates in multifaceted personal roles which include her community outreach efforts that foster empowerment and self-discovery within Sheffield and its environs. Chinny is also a religious leader, a chaplain corp, a mentor, counsellor, motivational speaker, actress, singer, writer, and life/family/career coach. She balances these roles alongside being a wife to her Hero, Dr. Samuel Iheanyi Okerenta, and mother of three amazing adults: Barbara, Sam the second, and Jennifer.

My name is Yvonne Wray. Born in Sheffield. I am from an African Caribbean background.  Married with three children and two grandchildren. I am deeply rooted in community services.

I chair a registered charity called Action Collective which believes in Recognition. Development and Justice. 

I also, proudly serve as a Director of African Caribbean Cancer Support , which is passionate about wellness and togetherness the keys to lasting health and strength.

Ijeoma Ugbelase is a seasoned Project Manager and Associate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), with over 20 years of experience in the public sector across Nigeria and the UK. Her career is defined by a passion for optimising processes, fostering collaboration, and delivering solutions that make a meaningful difference

But beyond her career, Ijeoma’s heart beats for the charity and community sector. For her, it’s a passion, a calling, and a lifelong commitment to making a real difference. She actively contributes to various initiatives and serves as a director in several community organisations, championing causes that uplift and empower African people.

As the founder of UKSmart, Ijeoma leads workshops and webinars designed to help recent migrants integrate, thrive, and find belonging in the UK. She is also a mentor and coach to women, using her own life experiences to guide others in building strong relationships, successful careers, and balanced lives rooted in faith and family.

Her personal journey as a cancer survivor has become a powerful catalyst for change. Ijeoma understands firsthand the emotional and cultural challenges faced by African and Caribbean individuals navigating cancer. She is deeply committed to ensuring that no one walks this path feeling unseen, unheard, or alone. Her advocacy centres on culturally sensitive support that honours heritage, faith, belief and creating trusted spaces where dignity and strength are at the heart of healing.

In her downtime, Ijeoma enjoys retail therapy, light-hearted TV, and faith-based podcasts. She is a wife,  mother, and a passionate voice for community, resilience, and hope.

Yejide Adewakun is a multifaceted professional with expertise spanning law, data governance, and digital entrepreneurship. With over a decade of legal experience, she combines her legal expertise with data governance strategies to provide insightful guidance to companies across diverse sectors.

She is the founder of BloomElle, a thriving community dedicated to supporting women of African and Caribbean heritage. Today, BloomElle has more than 1,000 members across over 100 cities in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

Yejide’s leadership also extends to serving on key boards across Sheffield, where she ensures that governance structures reflect the needs of diverse communities. As a founding member of the African Cancer Support Group, she contributes her expertise in communications, governance, and legal strategy to strengthen the organisation’s foundation and outreach.

Ileola Feyisetan is a visionary leader whose work bridges strategy, creativity, faith, and transformation. Drawing from over a decade of expertise as a STEM professional and product analyst, she specialises in distilling complexity into actionable clarity and developing solutions that marry innovation with genuine human impact.

As co-founder of CCNatters, Ileola is building a movement that challenges conventional cultural and faith narratives while creating authentic spaces for meaningful dialogue, creative expression, and collective healing. The platform has evolved into a distinctive voice for those pursuing authenticity in an increasingly fragmented world, weaving together storytelling, digital innovation, and community engagement in groundbreaking ways.

Her personal journey through cancer treatment and recovery has profoundly shaped her leadership philosophy, deepening her commitment to wellness advocacy and the development of support systems that honour vulnerability, embrace limitation, and celebrate authenticity as sources of strength.

Through her broader initiatives, Ileola is pioneering new models of care and reimagining faith spaces that are simultaneously forward-thinking and deeply rooted in human connection. Operating at the unique intersection of strategist, storyteller, and community architect, she represents a new paradigm of leadership: one that integrates faith, wellness, and innovation into transformative action.

Her work embodies the belief that meaningful change emerges not from perfection, but from the courage to lead with both analytical rigour and open hearts.