I am proud to nominate Bolanle Oyediran, the soul and founder of Wonderful Way CIC, for Honouring Black Britain 2026. She creates opportunities for people to build better lives, bringing determination, care and a belief in others to everything she does.
Her work addresses both immediate needs and longer-term ambitions. From helping people meet their food needs to supporting their progress towards career and financial stability, she recognises that different kinds of support matter at different stages of someone’s life.
That breadth of commitment is one of the things I admire about her. She responds to the difficulties people face today while helping them look towards a more secure future.
Bolanle also has an incredible ability to bring together a dedicated volunteer team. As someone involved in that work, I value the meaningful opportunity she gives us to use our own knowledge, intelligence and skills to give back to the community.
She recognises that everyone has something to contribute. Through Wonderful Way CIC, she helps turn that potential into shared action, giving volunteers a purpose and a way to make a difference alongside one another. For me, this is what makes her a true “soul leader”.
Seeing her thrive as both a devoted mother and a community leader is a masterclass in time management and resilience. I admire the strength she brings to those responsibilities and the example she sets through her commitment to others.
Her encouragement of women is especially important to me. Bolanle consistently champions other women, offering support and cheering them on to reach their full potential. She celebrates what they can achieve and encourages them to recognise their own strengths.
She is my personal role model. Through her example, she shows that women can be powerful, strong and deeply influential within their communities. Her leadership gives others encouragement to recognise the difference they, too, can make.
What stands out is how these qualities come together: practical support for people facing disadvantage, a meaningful role for volunteers and a determination to see other women succeed.
Bolanle’s tireless work makes her a credit to the Black British community. I am proud to celebrate someone who gives so much of herself while helping the people around her discover what they have to give.