April 2026
Editor's Note:
Activating Activism
Alleluia for the appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury. Things are looking up.
It is important that we celebrate moments like this properly. They signal possibility, disrupt tradition, and remind us that progress, while often painfully slow, does happen.
That sense of possibility was sharpened for me recently at a powerful conversation between Nova Reid and human rights lawyer Nani Jansen Reventlow on her new book, Radical Justice: Each of Us Can Be the Revolution.
The premise was simple, but confronting: in a world where fascism is gaining ground, inequality is widening, and the climate crisis is accelerating, the scale of change can feel overwhelming.
But what if the barrier to action isn’t the size of the problem, but our belief about our role in solving it?
Who will free us, if not ourselves?
That question stayed with me. And it’s exactly why this edition of The Power Play is about activism, not as a slogan, but as a responsibility.
And in today’s world, personal, and collective, activism are entirely necessary. Let’s be honest about what women are facing right now…
Globally, we are still underrepresented at the highest levels of leadership. The pay gap persists. Access to capital remains disproportionately low. Burnout is rising. And in many places, the very initiatives designed to create equity are being quietly rolled back. Not to mention, geopolitical turmoil which affects access to education, female and reproductive healthcare, and long-term development opportunities.
There is, without question, an ill wind blowing.
And yet, this is not the whole story.
We are also seeing women step into CEO roles in record numbers. Board representation is improving. Women are building businesses, sharing more knowledge than ever, backing each other, and redefining what leadership looks like - on their own terms.
Progress is happening.
But it is not by accident.
It’s happening because women are speaking up, stepping forward, and standing together.
And that’s the call now.
Not to wait.
Not to hope.
But to activate.
Our voices.
Our choices.
And our responsibility to each other.
Because activism isn’t out there.
It starts with us.
Lynnx
This month’s highlights
Ask Lynn
Any questions you have, career-led, life choices or situations you need help navigating - I will answer. This month I talk through questions such as:
My company is small and hasn’t yet had a maternity policy. They are offering me the government minimum. How do I balance negotiating for more?
I moved to the UK six months ago from China. I’ve found it hard to find space for myself in a predominantly white company. How do I balance fitting in with keeping my culture?
What areas should I focus on to improve my activism without coming on too strong?
How can I practice activism in daily life without going to protests?
I’m the only woman in my team. How can I advocate for myself without feeding into stereotypes?
Episode X: She Means &
Nova Reid
Nova Reid doesn’t do comfortable conversations, and she’s not interested in pretending that change comes without cost.
A UK-based author, educator and producer, Nova has built a reputation for cutting through the noise of performative progress and getting to what actually drives change: truth, accountability, and the willingness to look inward.
Nova doesn’t deal in optics or easy answers. She draws a hard line between intention and impact, between allyship and performance, between saying the right thing and actually doing something about it.
This conversation isn’t about getting it right.
It’s about being willing to be honest enough to do better.
Power Play Picks
We love.
Worthy @The Bloomsbury Theatre, London
In her debut one woman show, WORTHY, Nova Reid invites us into an intimate exploration of what it truly means to reclaim our inherent worth. Through a blend of storytelling and commentary on our current world, Nova shares notes on Black womanhood, love and everything in-between. This is not a performance of perfection; it is a raw, soulful journey through life lessons learned and the wisdom gathered along the way.
With moments for pause, interaction and celebration, this evening is an invitation to be present and will leave an imprint on your heart, long after you have left the room.
The Chole Kelly Barbie
Seeing Arsenal Lioness, Chloe Kelly honoured with her own Barbie is more than a moment, it’s a message. When Mattel spotlights sportswomen as role models, it expands what girls believe is possible. Visibility isn’t trivial, it shapes ambition, confidence, and the future of leadership.
Raye – This Music May Contain Hope
We all need hope right about now! Raye delivers something rare with This Music May Contain Hope, a fearless blend of soul, jazz, R&B, pop, and dance. Raw honesty meets vocal power and razor-sharp storytelling. It’s not just an album, it’s a reckoning. Vulnerable, bold, and impossible to ignore.