MEET ABW COMMITEE
Amplify Black Women’s committee brings together diverse experience across community building, advocacy, creative industries, and professional development all united by a shared commitment to empowering Black women. With integrity, care, and a deep sense of responsibility, they guide our mission to create spaces where Black women feel seen, supported, and equipped to thrive.
ABW Founder
Annette Cole
Annette Cole, a proud Sierra Leonean, a passionate advocate for the empowerment of Black women in Sydney.
A Government Lawyer by trade, Annette understands the challenges black women face in personal and professional spaces. Her experiences fuel her mission to equip women with the tools and networks they need to thrive. Since launching ABW, she has expanded its reach through strategic partnerships and advocacy.
Guided by her Christian faith, Annette is committed to fostering resilience, confidence, and success, ensuring that black women have the resources to reach their full potential.
Sandra Kirimi
Treasurer
Sandra is the Treasurer of Amplify Black Women, with a background in IT and currently working in Research and Development. In her role as Treasurer, she supports the organisation’s financial oversight and sustainability, with a focus on responsible management and long-term growth.
She is passionate about women’s influence in politics and aspires to be a voice in that space in the future.
Beyond this, Sandra has a deep appreciation for fashion as both an art form and a tool for empowerment, which she expresses through her styling work. Her faith keeps her grounded, and the blues helps her unwind. She is someone who has learned to keep going with optimism for what lies ahead. She is excited about what is being built through Amplify Black Women and the women it serves.
Yvonne Sewankambo
Committee Member
Yvonne Sewankambo is a Ugandan-Canadian-Australian communications professional with over 12 years' experience across publishing, film, television, theatre, education, the not-for-profit sector, travel and tourism, and more.
She has a deep and multifaceted connection to the Australian literature sector. As Communications Director at Sedgwick Communications, she has led the PR campaigns for Australian Booksellers Association's Love Your Bookshop Day and Oxford University Press’ Australian Children’s Word of the Year. She has also worked at Hardie Grant Publishing, HarperCollins Publishers Australia and Pan Macmillan Australia, and continues to have strong ties within the local publishing industry as a Walker Books children’s author.
At the heart of her work is a belief in the power of stories to build connection, deepen cross-cultural understanding and drive positive change. Her picture books, Good Hair and How My Family Says I Love You, made the Children’s Book Council of Australia 2025 and 2026 Notables lists for Early Childhood and Picture Book of the Year respectively.
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Hopeful Mukucha
Secretary
Hopeful is the Secretary of Amplify Black Women and a government lawyer based in Sydney.
She is passionate about creating spaces where Black women can thrive and take up space unapologetically, with a strong commitment to advocacy, community, and meaningful impact.
Alongside her professional career, Hopeful has supported various not-for-profit organisations and held leadership roles within her youth community. Her journey reflects a long-standing dedication to service, connection, and empowering others.
Her work is grounded in a desire to contribute to more inclusive and equitable spaces, particularly for women navigating intersecting identities. She is committed to using her skills and experience to support initiatives that uplift, advocate for, and create opportunities for Black women.
Lily Komba
Operational Representative
Lily Komba is a humanitarian youth worker and community advocate passionate about empowering culturally diverse communities. Originally from Sierra Leone, she brings both lived experience and professional expertise to supporting young people from trauma backgrounds, including refugee and orphaned children from Afghanistan.
She holds a degree in Health Science, majoring in Health Service Management with a minor in Health Promotion. As the Community Engagement Coordinator for Amplify Black Women, Lily helps foster connection, empowerment, and wellbeing among Black women through community initiatives and programs.
Passionate about mental health, self-care, and women’s empowerment, Lily hopes to one day establish a mental health education institution in Sierra Leone.
Gillian Dunn
Gillian Dunn is an experienced music industry professional with 24 years of experience at APRA AMCOS, is a co-founder and committee member of Black Music Alliance Australia, board member of Support Act and Enable Women Africa.
Her expertise spans people and culture, and membership services for writers and music publishers, making her a driving force for inclusivity
and sustainable pathways in Australia's music landscape.
At APRA AMCOS, where she serves as a Senior Manager, Gillian has championed equity-focused cultural initiatives and previously refined publisher stakeholder services. Her efforts have enhanced member experiences and optimized royalty distribution to ensure fair compensation for songwriters and publishers.
Gillian continually develops her professional skills in strategy, coaching, and collaboration. These qualities reinforce her ability to lead teams, advocate for systemic change, and make lasting impacts in the creative industry. Throughout her career, Gillian has demonstrated unwavering commitment to fostering equitable opportunities and representation in the Australian music industry.
Committee Member
Our Volunteers
Amplify Black Women is powered by the heart, time and talents of our incredible volunteers. Behind every event, program and community moment is a team of women who generously contribute their skills, creativity and care to help bring our vision to life.
Together, our volunteers support ABW’s mission to create spaces where Black women feel seen, supported, celebrated and empowered to thrive.
We are so grateful for the people who continue to show up for this community and help us build something meaningful.
~ Built by community ~