Rooted & Rising – Episode 3

21 May 2026

In Episode 3 of Rooted & Rising, Susan Cole and Dr Vanessa Apea explored some of the key health inequities continuing to affect Black women — including HIV prevention, menopause and maternal health.

Leading HIV and sexual health consultant Dr Nneka Nwokolo discussed the Risks to Reasons HIV prevention campaign, the barriers still affecting Black women’s access to prevention and support, and why menopause inequities remain overlooked — while also sharing advice for women struggling to access the menopause care they deserve.

Award-winning midwife and founder Gemma Poole joined the conversation to discuss maternal health inequities, structural barriers within healthcare systems, and the practical changes needed to improve outcomes for Black women. The episode combined honest conversation, lived realities and solution-focused discussion — centring Black women’s voices, experiences and leadership.

This episode was streamed live on Thursday 21st May 2026, 5–5.30pm

News

BBC Radio London – Health Inequalities, HIV and Health Testing

15 May 2026

Jacqueline Shepherd speaks to Susan Cole about Black women’s health inequalities and Skin Like Mine – the HIV prevention programme by and for Black Londoners changing conversations around HIV, stigma and self-care

Positive Health – Season 2 – Episode 1

20 Apr 2026

Positive Health returned for Season 2 with an important and wide-ranging discussion on HIV inequalities affecting Black communities across the globe. Episode 1 featured powerful conversations with acclaimed HIV advocate and journalist Juan Michael Porter II and Kenyan...

Rooted & Rising – Episode 2

30 Mar 2026

Episode 2 of Rooted & Rising explored storytelling, visibility, mental health and the systems shaping Black women’s health. Award-winning journalist Melissa Sigodo spoke about the devastating impact of Black women being overlooked in mainstream media, including...

Rooted & Rising – Episode 1

9 Mar 2026

In the opening episode, Susan Cole and Dr Vanessa Apea set the tone for the series with a powerful call to move beyond awareness of health inequities and towards meaningful action. The conversation centres the realities behind these inequities, including maternal...

BBC Radio London – HIV Testing in London Interview

29 Jan 2026

Shay Kaur Grewal, Mark Thompson and Susan Cole discuss “Skin Like Mine” – the HIV prevention programme by and for Black Londoners, delivered by One Voice Network and funded by Do It London

New video resource on HIV and mental health for women with HIV

11 Dec 2025

Phoenix Health Movement is delighted to announce the launch of a new set of video resources for Black & migrant women with HIV about mental health, co-produced with 4M Network of Mentor Mothers. These videos provide empowering, reliable and engaging information,...

Positive Health – Episode 6

24 Nov 2025

Co-hosts Susan Cole and Denis Onyango are joined by Ophelia Haanyama and Dr Michael Brady. They will be discussing the pressing issues around HIV affecting Black communities, and solutions to the challenges faced. This episode was streamed live on Monday 24 November...

Positive Health – Episode 5

6 Oct 2025

Co-hosts Susan Cole and Denis Onyango are joined by HIV Consultant & menopause specialist Dr Nneka Nwokolo, and HIV advocate & CEO of Red Ribbon Living Well Husseina Hamza. They will be discussing the pressing issues around HIV affecting Black communities, and...

Increased rates of HIV in Black women – Susan Cole interviewed by BBC London News

10 Sep 2025

Black women are at increased risk of HIV in London, according to a new report. Susan Cole was interviewed on behalf of Phoenix Health Movement by Thomas Magill from BBC London News about HIV inequities affecting Black women, including barriers to testing and actions...

BBC Radio London – HIV and Black Women Interview

9 Sep 2025

Susan Cole was interviewed on BBC London Radio, on behalf of Phoenix Health Movement, about Black women in London being at higher risk of HIV. She highlights that this is linked to “intersecting forms of stigma, discrimination and disadvantage” that Black women...

Positive Health – Episode 4

8 Sep 2025

Co-hosts Susan Cole and Denis Onyango are joined by guests Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan and Rebecca Mbewe to discuss the pressing issues around HIV affecting Black communities. YouTube Shorts from Episode 3More people are needed for HIV researchAdvice to Black women...

Zero Stigma Day

21 Jul 2025

Zero Stigma Day is a grassroots awareness campaign that mobilises and unites people, organisations, and entire countries across the world to take action against HIV stigma. The campaign was conceived by our Co-Founder Dr Vanessa Apea, as Medical Director of Naz in...

Positive Health – Episode 3

4 Jul 2025

In Episode 3 of Positive Health Co-hosts Susan Cole & Denis Onyango are joined by guests Dr Annabelle Sowemimo and Angelina Namiba to discuss HIV and Black communities. YouTube Shorts from Episode 3Advice to a woman newly diagnosed with HIVAdvice to Black women...

UK AIDS Memorial Quilt at Tate Modern

12 Jun 2025

Susan Cole attended the launch event of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Display at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall. For the first time in history the entire UK AIDS Memorial Quilt was laid out. The monumental work is a powerful piece of social history, telling the stories of...

BASHH Annual Conference 2025

11 Jun 2025

Susan Cole presented at this year’s BASHH Conference in Edinburgh in the session focused on the UKHSA HIV Report and the limitations of healthcare provision to underserved communities. Her presentation focused on community insights on the drivers of the inequities...

Positive Health – Episode 2

5 Jun 2025

Susan Cole and Denis Onyango are joined by HIV and AIDS activist Eliane Becks Nininahazwe, Lead Commissioner London HIV Prevention Programme and HIV community leader Marc Thompson, and Florence Eshalomi MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green They discuss HIV and Black...

AIDSImpact 2025

26 May 2025

Susan Cole delivered the opening presentation of the 16th AIDSImpact Conference in Casablanca. Her presentation highlighted the intersecting forms of discrimination and disadvantage affecting women with HIV globally, sharing community insights on the actions needed to...

International Day of Action for Women’s Health 2025

23 May 2025

The International Day of Action for Women’s Health 2025 organised by Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with CW+, ARC, NHS Hiyos, Hounslow Council and local organisations. The event brought together numerous health experts and lived...

Black Women’s Health Manifesto Collective

16 May 2025

On Friday 16th May 2025, the Black Women’s Health Manifesto Collective met in London. Co - chaired by Professor Jenny Douglas and Dr Vanessa Apea, key leaders and strategic drivers of the Collective, the meeting brought together healthcare professionals, activists,...

Global Black Gay Men Connect – Community Reporting & HIV Research Webinar

15 May 2025

During this webinar, facilitated by Juan Michael Porter II, Susan Cole (Phoenix Health Movement), Riko Boone (Treatment Action Group), and Matthew Rose (Human Rights Campaign) had a bold and honest discussion on the future of HIV reporting. Together, they examined...

APPG on Black Health Reproductive Equity & Fibroids Meeting

14 May 2025

Susan Cole participated in the first parliamentary meeting of the APPG on Black Health, chaired by Paulette Hamilton MP with CAHN as the secretariat, Reproductive Equity & Fibroids was the topic of discussion. Fibroids disproportionately impact women of colour....

Positive Health – Episode 1

28 Apr 2025

Susan Cole and Denis Onyango were joined by phenomenal guests: Dr Vanessa Apea from SHARE Research Collaborative (also Phoenix Health Movement Co-Founder!) and Rev. Jide Macaulay CEO of House of Rainbow & Co-Chair of One Voice Network (OVN). We discussed a wide...

Spring BHIVA 2025

23 Apr 2025

Susan Cole attended the BHIVA Spring Conference 2025. There were many great presentations some are mentioned below. Badru Male from PositiveEast presented on his co-production with faith leaders. He talked about their development of faith-based assets to improve HIV...

15th International Workshop on Women & HIV 2025

5 Apr 2025

On behalf of Phoenix Health Movement and GNP+, Susan Cole spoke the 15th International Workshop on Women & HIV 2025 in Barcelona. For the debate on the proposition “Women living with HIV should receive preventative statin therapy” Susan was paired with healthcare...

Women & HIV Campaign

2 Apr 2025

We contributed and supported this campaign

Black Healthcare Inequalities Summit 2025

26 Mar 2025

Susan attends and contributes at the summit

Black Women’s SHERO Journeys – International Women’s Day 2025

15 Mar 2025

Phoenix Health Movement’s Executive Director Susan Cole presented at this event in Lambeth Town Hall by Africa Advocacy Foundation and Caribbean & African Network. She highlighted the intersecting health inequalities affecting Black women across disease areas,...