Seyi Akiwowo is a multi-award winning founder and CEO of a newly formed charity, Glitch. Glitch’s mission is to awaken a generation of digital citizens equipped to create and demand for safe online spaces for all. Akiwowo founded the charity during her time as a local politician in East London (2014-2018), after she faced hideous online abuse and violence.
Using her lived experience and expertise, Seyi co-designs practical solutions with Governments, NGOs, UN Human Rights Council and tech companies to protect public online public spaces from hate and abuse.
In 2020 George Washington University appointed Seyi a Knight Fellow of the Institute for Data, Democracy and Politics and also sits on the Guardian Council of Yoti.
Before Glitch, Seyi was elected as the youngest Black female Councillor in East London at age 23 and now has over 10 years experience working in government and policy and the charity sectors both in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Seyi has delivered talks at TEDx London, European Parliament, The United Nations and has written several critical pieces for the Telegraph, Marie Claire and Huffington Post. She’s also London School of Economics Alumni and Gates Foundation Global Goalkeeper.
Hear more from Seyi in our SheTalksTech podcast – listen here.
Why we believe Seyi is a trailblazerFor her work building tools to end online abuse. Seyi has a particular focus on women and marginalised people. Through Glitch, Seyi and her team provide training, research, workshops and a community platform. Seyi is a true role model who is driving change by helping to build an online world that is safer for all.