About Us
Who We Are
Black Pharma CIC is an award-winning social enterprise advancing representation, access and equity across the life sciences ecosystem
Founded to address the underrepresentation of Black professionals in the pharmaceutical industry, our work has evolved alongside the communities we serve.
We recognise that workforce diversity, research inclusion and health outcomes are interconnected. Representation is not only about who works in healthcare, it’s about who is seen in research, leadership and decision-making.
Rooted in the communities we serve, we work across the sector to strengthen opportunity, amplify underrepresented voices and support more equitable systems. We build access. We expand visibility. We advance equity, in careers and in health.
Our Core Principles
1. Representation in Action
Representation must translate into opportunity. We create pathways into life sciences, strengthen progression into leadership, and ensure underrepresented talent is visible, supported and positioned to thrive
2. Trust, Partnership & Accountability
Change requires collaboration. We build trusted relationships across communities, industry and institutions, delivering work grounded in transparency, lived experience and long-term commitment.
3. Equity-Driven Impact
We focus on outcomes, not optics. Through workforce initiatives, research inclusion conversations and community engagement, we design solutions that advance equitable systems, in careers and in health.
Our Story
Black Pharma was founded in 2020 by Kim Sholade, Monsurat Morenikeji Hanson, Jennifer Amponsah Adjalo and Stephanie Oyesola, four women who experienced first-hand what it means to be underrepresented in the pharmaceutical industry. What started as a support network grew into a movement.
Through shared insight, strategic collaboration and community building, they began creating access where it did not exist. Over time, they recognized that representation in the workforce is intrinsically linked to representation in research and health outcomes.
Today, Black Pharma sits at that intersection, advancing opportunity, strengthening inclusion and contributing to more equitable systems in life sciences.
Our Impact
Since inception, Black Pharma has focused on creating access and enabling success across the pharmaceutical industry.
Our impact spans:
• Mentorship & professional development
• Industry collaboration
• Research inclusion conversations
• Community engagement
We are contributing to a more inclusive workforce and a more equitable healthcare future
Our Community
& Approach
Black Pharma is powered by a growing community of professionals, patients, advocates and collaborators who contribute expertise, lived experience and insight to advance equity across the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector.
We work collaboratively with communities, industry partners and stakeholders to design and deliver initiatives grounded in inclusion, evidence and impact. Our approach is community informed and systems aware — recognising that sustainable change requires partnership, trust and long-term commitment.
As our work evolves, so too does our community. Representation within careers is intrinsically connected to representation in research, leadership and health outcomes. Through collaboration, we continue to strengthen both.
Who We Serve
Black Pharma creates access and enables success across the life sciences ecosystem
1. Professionals & Emerging Talent
We support students, graduates and professionals across pharma, biotech and corporate functions.
Through mentorship, leadership platforms and skills development initiatives, we strengthen advancement from entry to progression with a focus on long-term representation across the sector.
Through mentoring, visibility, skills development, and leadership platforms, we enable progression at every career stage.
2. Communities & Patient Voices
Through our Equity in Health work, we engage patients, advocacy groups and community leaders to strengthen research dialogue and awareness.
We amplify lived experience, spotlight systemic gaps and support more inclusive conversations around healthcare access and outcomes.
3. Industry and Institutional Partners
We collaborate with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, research institutions, universities and professional bodies.
Our role is to convene expertise, facilitate meaningful engagement and support initiatives that strengthen workforce representation and research inclusion
