Lesley Lokko named among BBC's 100 most inspiring and influential women of 2024

Architect and educator Lesley Lokko has been named on a list of 100 inspiring and influential women of 2024 by the BBC.

The list, which is released annually, celebrates women from around the world who are pushing for change "through their resilience".

Ghanaian-Scottish architect Lokko, who was also named on Time magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people this year, was praised by the BBC for her efforts to increase diversity in architecture over the past two decades.

Indifference "harder to endure than opposition"

Lokko's accolades include winning the RIBA Royal Gold Medal earlier this year, making her the first black woman to win the prestigious award, and becoming the first woman of African descent to curate the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2023.

"Resilience is the capacity to stay the course over the long-haul – even in the face of indifference, which is often harder to endure than opposition," Lokko was quoted by the BBC as saying.

Also featured on the list is fashion designer Yasmeen Mjalli, whose garments are inspired by Palestinian life and traditions.

Mjalli established her brand Nöl Collective in the occupied West Bank in 2020, working with local resources and traditional techniques that pay homage to Palestinian crafts.

Sudan-born, London-based designer Sara Berkai, who was named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for social impact earlier this year, was also recognised for her work to bring education to out-of-school children through her social enterprise Ambessa Play.

Graphic designer Idania Del Río also featured, in recognition of her work co-founding Clandestina, the first independent fashion brand from Cuba to sell its clothes worldwide online.

Clandestina's products celebrate Cuban culture, with a focus on sustainable production.

British artist Tracey Emin, who was made a dame earlier this year for her contributions to the arts, was also featured among the list.

"Being a woman right now, I think we need as much resilience as we can have," Emin said of her inclusion. "I think now is a time when there has to be greater unity and a greater fight for women."

In other news, British carmaker Jaguar has unveiled its much-anticipated electric concept car at Miami art week, while Zaha Hadid Architects has completed a sinuous metro station illuminated by geometric perforations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The image is courtesy of the RIBA.

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