Shola Mos-Shogbamimu

Shola Mos-Shogbamimu
Born	November 1975 (age 46) Hackney, London, England
Education	University of Buckingham (LLB Hons) University of Westminster (MA) London School of Economics (LLM) Birkbeck, University of London (PhD) University of Cambridge (Executive MBA)
Occupation	Lawyer, political and women's rights activist
Notable work	This Is Why I Resist (2021)
Children	3

Adeshola Mos-Shogbamimu (née Babington-Ashaye; born November 1975)^[1] is a British Nigerian activist, political commentator, author and lawyer. She is a qualified New York Attorney and Solicitor of England & Wales. A regular speaker on women's rights, law, politics, diversity, inequality and exclusion.^[2] Her debut book, This is Why I Resist, was described in The Telegraph as "an unapologetic declaration that black identity will no longer be defined by white supremacy, and an unfettered call to action to revolutionise the narrative around the black experience in our day-to-day lives."^[3]

Biography[]

Mos-Shogbamimu was born in Hackney, London, was raised in Nigeria and the United States, and lived in East Africa when her mother was working for the Commonwealth of Nations.^[3] Speaking of how she has been influenced by her Nigerian heritage, she has said: "My parents brought me up with a really strong identity of who I am and so I have never felt inferior due to the colour of my skin, being a woman or gender. I would use the word feminist to describe my father. He was the first male feminist I knew."^[4]

At the age of 19 she obtained her first degree, LLB Hons, from the University of Buckingham, going on to earn an MA degree in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Westminster, an LLM degree in Commercial & Corporate Law from the London School of Economics, a PhD in Law from Birkbeck, University of London, and an Executive MBA from the University of Cambridge.^[2][5] She is also founder of the Women in Leadership Publication.^[6][7] In June 2020 Vogue magazine named her among "8 Educational Black Voices To Listen And Learn From Now".^[8]

Mos-Shogbamimu appears regularly on television as a commentator on issues related to politics, current affairs, race and diversity.^[9][10] She has been particularly outspoken about the negative media treatment of women of colour who are in the public eye, such as Serena Williams and Meghan Markle.^[10][11] In 2019 Mos-Shogbamimu delivered a TEDx Talk entitled "This is why I resist", in which she made clear why she refuses to be defined by the colour of her skin, her gender or religion, engaging her audience with bold views on feminism and politics, and encouragement to join her "conscious revolution".^[12] In March 2021 she clashed with Piers Morgan in a heated debate when she was a guest on Good Morning Britain discussing the Oprah with Meghan and Harry interview.^[13][14]

Her first book, This Is Why I Resist: Don’t Define My Black Identity, was published in January 2021 and tackles the nuances and intricacies of the "race, racism and race inclusion" conversations.^[15] The New European newspaper said the book is "a deep dive into the roots of racism in the UK and US, delving into little-explored areas. It's a powerful, challenging polemic: David Lammy describes it as 'recalibrat[ing] the conversation of race to ignite transformational change'."^[16] Characterised by The Voice newspaper as a "vital anti-racism call to action" in which Mos-Shogbamimu is "direct, unapologetic and urgent in her message", the book This Is Why I Resist "tackles head on topics that aren’t discussed enough like colourism, performative allyship, racial gatekeeping, the exclusion of trans women, specifically Black trans women from the feminist movement and urges people to raise their voices to end the oppression."^[17]

Personal life[]

Shola Mos-Shogbamimu is married and has three daughters.^[6] She is the grand-daughter of the late Nigerian Monarch of Ogere-Remo, Oba Alfred Obafuwa Babington-Ashaye, Legunsen III, the Ologere of Ogere. She is the daughter of the late Prince Adebajo Babington-Ashaye and Mrs Morenike Babington-Ashaye.

Bibliography[]

• This Is Why I Resist: Don’t Define My Black Identity, London: Headline, 2021, ISBN 978-1472280763.

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• "Unpicking the film industry's diversity crisis", Amanpour, CNN.
• Isobel Lewis, "Piers Morgan branded a 'petty, fragile man baby' by GMB guest over Meghan Markle comment", The Independent, 22 February 2021.