Team Members

Artist / Creative Director / CEO

My name is Laura Nyahuye, a Zimbabwean born artist and Creative Director/CEO and Founder at MAOKWO. I am a mother, an artist, storyteller, a curator, producer, writer, performer, tutor, community worker.

I design and make body adornments to address social issues and challenge perceptions. I have a call to design, to speak, to encourage, to write and to bring communities together. I practice this by exhibiting, storytelling, supporting artists and communities on the margins, producing, facilitating. In summary, I’m here to serve.

I am passionate about the arts sector on the subject of inclusion and representation. Inclusion and representation in the arts sector, Inclusion in communities and inclusion for women. The current and next generation to come need us and we need them. Isolation, mental health issues, discrimination are real. They are real, things need to change. By creatively addressing tokenism, marginalisation, domestic abuse, mental abuse, and isolation we can create a dialogue to bring about change, in the arts sector and in our communities. I am passionate about seeing fellow marginalised artists thrive. I have a deep desire to see a change in these communities using art as a vehicle. I’m driven by the belief that together we are stronger.

I have had the privilege of working as a support worker in various hospitals, as well as the community. My various roles have exposed me to people from various walks of life and l feel enriched by it. I am inspired by life experiences and culture (especially of those who have migrated). Maokwo's approach is person-centric focused; this support can truly change lives. I have experienced the positive result of person-centric support and l have observed positive results in other people. #fromthegroundup

Writing Facilitator / Administrator

My work experience includes translating, teaching French language, literature, and culture, and working as a customer service assistant in libraries. I feel so grateful to be able to share the love of languages, books, and reading, through all these roles.

I have published 6 books in French, in a variety of genres - poetry, fiction, short stories, comic - because I love them all! I am also developing a multidisciplinary artistic practice.

What I am really passionate about is how we can, as creative practitioners, support others to develop their own art and practice. So many issues can get in the way of exploring creativity: lack of confidence, anxiety, a sense of not knowing where to start... But all of these - and so much more - can also directly come from discrimination. In an unequal world, we don't have equal access to the arts.

That's why I joined Maokwo, because the work they do is precisely this: support - in a very co-creative way. I love how open and flexible their approach is. Through the Writing the Journey programme, I've met great writers and performers, and it has been such a meaningful experience.

And because working in the arts is also about admin, I'm very happy to be helping Maokwo with various tasks such as updating the website, discussing budgets and planning, as well as liaising with members, associate, and partners.

Board of Trustee / Well-Being Consultant

MBPsS MBACP BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Integrative Counselling. Counsellor/Coach/ Mental Health Advisor and Training Consultant.


As we walk through life, we encounter stress or strain and, in those moments, it helps to be able to reach out for support. Working as an Integrative Counsellor allows me to support clients in a way that best suits their needs. Private Practice gives me flexibility in my work to support clients that come with different needs such as relationship breakdown, anxiety, depression, bereavement, domestic abuse, suicide ideation, self-harm, disordered eating as well as many other challenges that life may bring.

My educational background includes, Training and Development, BSc (Hons) Psychology and MSc Integrative Counselling. My work experience in different fields such as customer service, management, training, youth work, project coordinator: has helped me gain insight into some of the challenges faced by the clients I work with as a Coach. I am able to design and develop workshops and training events to meet the needs of the different organisations I work with.

I have the privilege to work with organisations that work to support communities in different ways all making a difference and giving much needed support in areas where there is need. Some giving access to mental health support to groups that would otherwise go without due to different circumstances in life. One organisation of which I am a Trustee, work to explore art as a vehicle for social change and as a form of therapy: working with different groups including women, children and families.

In recent years I have been spending more time exploring my writing and supporting others as well by working together with a team of creatives to provide an online platform that showcases the vibrant and multicultural society, we live in. My passion, if we can call it that is to live a full life where I get to explore the different opportunities that come my way that line up with my interests. A common thread that flows through my work is encouraging and helping people live well.

Youth Participation Producer

Raised with a passion for theatre and the arts, Coventry-born Melissa Jordan joined the Belgrade Youth Theatre during her early teens, before going on to support the Black Youth Theatre whilst completing an apprenticeship with the Belgrade. During this time she also developed an interest in stage management and production.

Since then, she has worked with organisations including Highly Sprung, Theatre Absolute and Warwick Arts Centre. In 2019 she produced Holding the Centre and currently works as General Manager for Ascension Dance Company. Melissa joins Maokwo as Youth Participation Producer bringing together her enthusiasm for supporting and mentoring young people and her love of the Arts.