Honorary Fellowship (Hon. FDOC)
The Honorary Fellowship is the highest distinction bestowed by the Divas of Colour executives. It is reserved for individuals who have achieved international acclaim or have made monumental contributions to the advancement of women of colour, regardless of their prior length of membership.
- Target: Distinguished public figures, global icons, or industry pioneers.
- The Mandate: To serve as a figurehead and patron of the organisation’s values.
- Selection: By Board invitation only; this tier is not open to application.
- Expectation: To use their global platform to advocate for the Divas of Colour mission and attend key ceremonial functions.
Meet our Honorary Fellows
Afua Sam (HFDOC)
Founder/Owner of The A CONCEPT by Afua Sam and STUDIO D’MAXSI DESIGNS
Afua Sam is a multi-award-winning, Ghanaian-born fashion designer and the creative force behind STUDIO D’MAXSI. Based in Washington DC, she has spent over 20 years establishing herself as a premier name in the industry, renowned for creating elegant yet edgy collections for the modern, confident woman.
A self-taught professional, Afua’s designs seamlessly blend her rich Ghanaian heritage with high-fashion innovation. Her bespoke gowns have graced the red carpets of the Oscars, Grammys, and Emmys, and have been worn by global icons such as Melba Moore and featured by Forbes hall-of-famer Bozoma Saint John. In 2024, her contributions were celebrated in London, where she was named Fashion Designer and Icon of the Year by Divas of Colour.
Afua is a frequent commentator on culture and style, appearing on major networks including ABC7, FOX5, and Joy FM. Her work has been featured in prestigious publications such as Essence, Marie Claire, and The Washington Post. Beyond the atelier, she is a talented actress and was recently involved in an Emmy-winning cultural production representing her heritage.
At the heart of Afua’s success is a profound commitment to philanthropy. Through the Afua’s Foundation, she empowers women and youth, notably through the “Operation Prom” initiative. She is a tireless advocate for charitable causes, consistently supporting organisations dedicated to cancer research, domestic violence awareness, and community development.
Brand Mission: “To be as bold as you can be, whilst remaining chic and sophisticated.”
Maureen Chiana (HFDOC)
A NeuroLeadership expert, Certified Master Neuroplastician, and CEO of The Mindsight Academy.
Maureen Chiana is a leadership and human performance organisation dedicated to cognitive renewal, emotional intelligence development, and behavioural transformation.
Her work focuses on equipping leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals with practical tools to optimise thinking, regulate emotion, and strengthen decision-making in complex and high-responsibility environments.
At the core of Maureen’s contribution is the integration of neuroscience with practical leadership application. She is recognised for translating complex brain science into clear,
structured frameworks that enable sustainable mindset renewal and measurable behavioural change. Through executive coaching, structured programmes, and global
teaching platforms, she has guided individuals across diverse sectors to overcome limiting mental patterns, enhance resilience, and lead with clarity, conviction, and purpose.
Maureen’s approach bridges science and faith while maintaining intellectual rigour. She demonstrates how principles of neuroplasticity, emotional intelligence, and intentional practice align with enduring scriptural truths about transformation and renewal of the mind.
This distinctive integration has positioned her as a respected voice among professionals seeking evidence-based strategies alongside values-driven growth and purposeful leadership.
She is the founder of the Mindsight Women’s Network, a global community committed to empowering women to grow intellectually, spiritually, and strategically. Through this platform, Maureen provides teaching, mentoring, and structured development experiences that strengthen self-leadership, emotional mastery, and purposeful influence. The network reflects her wider mission to foster environments where faith-informed thinking and scientific insight work together to produce confident, resilient individuals.
Maureen is also the author of Rewire Your Brain with Neuroscience and Scripture Every Day, a 366-day devotional guide designed to support daily cognitive renewal. The work combines neuroscience research with practical reflection, offering readers structured, repeatable practices that encourage behavioural consistency and long-term transformation. Her writing reflects her commitment to making complex psychological and
neurological concepts accessible, practical, and actionable for everyday life.
In addition to her written work, Maureen hosts the Lead To Excel Podcast, where she shares conversations and practical insights on leadership, emotional intelligence, personal growth, and intentional living. Through this platform, she continues to contribute to a global audience seeking to strengthen clarity, confidence, and purposeful decision-making across professional and personal spheres.
Across her work, Maureen’s central contribution remains consistent: empowering individuals to think better so they can live and lead with greater impact. Her commitment to cognitive renewal, emotional discipline, and intentional growth has shaped a body of work that continues to influence professionals, communities, and emerging leaders internationally. Through her teaching, writing, and leadership, she remains dedicated to helping individuals align mindset, behaviour, and purpose in ways that produce lasting transformation and meaningful contribution in both life and work.
Jacqueline A. Hinds (HFDOC)
Founder of Wilson Hinds Consulting Ltd, Founder, CEO of the Society of Emotional Intelligence International UK & Europe, as well as Chair of the Board of Trustees for PLIAS Resettlement.
Jacqueline A. Hinds is a Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach, Master Trainer EISAP2.0 EQ Certification Programme & Leadership Consultant with over 30 years of knowledge, skills, and expertise within Human Resource Development and Transformational Leadership Change; working within key corporate and public sector organisations.
In her role as Chair of the Board of Trustees at PLIAS Resettlement, a charity whose mission is to support the resettlement and integration of offenders back into the community, thereby improving their life chances and future prospects. PLIAS has also extended its services to provide support to women who are victims and survivors of domestic abuse from the African and Caribbean community and women from other minoritized communities. She is an Accredited Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) Chair and has served as an expert panel member on domestic homicide reviews, offering specialist insight into intercultural competencies and the cultural dynamics affecting Black African and Caribbean women.
A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, Jacqueline has been deeply involved in Women’s Ministries for many years. She regularly delivers her Women of Faith programme and facilitates workshops and seminars focused on her Multilateral Approach to Emotional Intelligence model which incorporates Spiritual Intelligence as one of the key quadrants. These sessions are designed to support the personal and spiritual development of women in the community and those leading church-based women’s ministries, encouraging fellowship, networking, and mutual support throughout their faith journeys.
As an International Keynote Speaker in the UK, Netherlands, France, Rome and the USA, she has given keynote presentations on the impact and progression emotional intelligence has within organisational challenges and changes. She regularly speaks at conferences and runs development programmes on Emotional Intelligence across Menopause in the Workplace and Dementia Care Management.
An established author, her first book: Journey to Empowerment: Tackling the bullies within, which is in support of her Emotional Resilience and Tackling Bullying in the Workplace workshop and coaching initiatives. She is passionate about writing and getting thought-provoking topics out there and, conversations started. She has contributed chapters in two books on Menopause and Overcoming Grief and, is working on her other books.