Nyanchama Okemwa
Chair, ENAR aisbl and the ENAR Foundation
Bio
Nyanchama Okemwa is the Chair of ENAR aisbl and the ENAR Foundation, and a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Consultant at Hand in Hand Against Racism. With over 40 years in anti-racism policy, human rights advocacy, and social justice movements, she is known for translating bold vision into inspirational, impactful and actionable change.
Her leadership rests on a conviction that “the measure of our legacy is not in titles or accolades, but in the justice we embed and the humanity we safeguard for generations to come.” This belief drives her work in bridging grassroots realities with high-level policymaking, ensuring reforms remain innovative yet firmly rooted in community priorities.
As a Human Rights Defender and PhD Researcher, Nyanchama applies a decolonial and intersectional lens to conflict transformation, institutional reform, and policy influence. She focuses on dismantling structures that perpetuate exclusion, advocating for equitable anti-discrimination laws and proffering workshops and trainings, and designing and mentoring empowerment programs.
She amplifies the voices of the least fortunate whilst reminding allies that “lasting change begins when courage meets compassion, transforming systems so that equity, dignity, and hope are not privileges, but shared human rights.”
Her approach blends strategic advocacy with interfaith dialogue and African spirituality, forging trust and coalitions that endure beyond individual campaigns. She has mentored grassroots leaders, built cross-sector alliances, and inspired audiences across continents.
Nyanchama views true leadership as a collective act, shaped by “learning, unlearning, and relearning” through the eyes of those most excluded and silenced. In her opinion, “we lead not to be remembered, but to ensure that equality becomes the memory the world can never unlearn.” This is the legacy she is determined to leave behind.
Personal Quote:
“True leadership is not measured by accolades, but by embedding justice, advancing racial equity, upholding human dignity, and securing fundamental rights as an enduring legacy. - Nyanchama Okemwa”