Rosie Jacobs is the Director of Independent Oxford, a community that support indie businesses in Oxfordshire, and has stepped up as Chair of Trustees for Cowley Road Works. Passionate about supporting her community in East Oxford, Rosie is dedicated to creating opportunities for local businesses to survive and thrive, while helping neighbours connect, collaborate, and find joy right here on our doorstep. Rosie is also an advocate for the power that music and culture can have in creating connection and wellbeing, and she regularly DJs in Oxford under the moniker Rosie Raves.

Destiny is passionate about all things music and events, and has built a career around creating spaces and experiences where people can connect and make lasting memories. Raised in Oxford with roots in the Seychelles, some of Destiny’s earliest and most treasured memories are of going to carnival with their Nanna,  a place where people far from home could come together, celebrate their cultures, and find a sense of belonging. That spirit of connection and community remains at the heart of what inspires them most. Destiny is especially excited about celebrating the incredible diversity of people and cultures within the city.

Kingsley is an Oxford local and grassroots music advocate; a music producer and founding director of In-Spire Sounds, a community-focused recording studio, and the Inspiring Change Through Music youth project, which supports young people facing adversity through targeted music-making and mentoring programmes. Passionate about creating opportunities for the next generation, he is dedicated to helping young musicians thrive and become part of Oxford’s vibrant music scene.

Originally from Kenya, Millie has called Blackbird Leys home since 2007. She is married with three wonderful children and is passionate about bringing communities together. Through her work with African Families in the UK, she supports migrant families as they settle into life in the UK. Over the past three years, she has loved helping to shape the Leys Festival and is excited to bring that same community spirit to the Cowley Road Carnival as a trustee.

Jasmine Denton Fontaine has a background in events, community engagement, and relationship building. She is passionate about creating meaningful connections and inclusive experiences, and has worked across a range of sectors including construction, the arts, and health research. Jasmine is excited to join the Board of Trustees and contribute alongside such a knowledgeable and experienced team. She looks forward to using her skills and enthusiasm to support the organisation’s mission and strengthen its impact within the community.

Zaheer Qureshi is a retired accountant with a passion for charity work and community involvement. He has been involved with Cowley Road Carnival since 2010, starting as a volunteer and currently supporting the organisation through bookkeeping. Zaheer is also Trustee and Treasurer of the Asian Cultural Association, as well as Treasurer of the Oxford Council of Faiths. Living just off Cowley Road, he is passionate about delivering Carnival,  preferably on the first Sunday of July, back on Cowley Road, where he believes it truly belongs.

Ruth is a longstanding Oxford resident who grew up in West London and has had the joy of attending Notting Hill Carnival every year since its early days. She was delighted to discover that Oxford also has its own carnival in the form of the Cowley Road Carnival, and values its joyful celebration of different cultures and the way it brings communities together. She is pleased to be able to support it with her background in the charity sector, as well as her experience working on community and environmental issues.

Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean culture is in Jamo’s blood. Growing up in Port of Spain, the home of Trinidad Carnival, he experienced firsthand the traditions, creativity and community spirit that make Carnival such a powerful cultural celebration.

Jamo’s early influences came through his family’s involvement in Carnival, including connections to the renowned Pan Am All Stars steel orchestra, costume making and mas. These experiences gave him a deep appreciation for the role that music, culture and community play in bringing people together.

Throughout his life, Jamo has remained committed to promoting and celebrating Caribbean culture through events, artist development, community initiatives and business. In 2016, he founded Spiced Roots in Oxford, launching the restaurant on Oxford Carnival Day as a way of sharing the richness of Caribbean food, culture and heritage with the wider community.

Today, Jamo brings his firsthand experience of Carnival, his entrepreneurial background and his passion for community engagement to his role as a trustee of Oxford Carnival, helping to ensure Caribbean culture continues to thrive and inspire future generations.

Hassan Sabrie is a co-founder and director of Oxford Community Action (OCA), a grassroots, anti-racist social justice coalition operating in Oxford. Based near Cowley, OCA works to shift financial resources and power to marginalised black and racially minoritized communities through community wealth building.

Oxford Community Action tackles systemic inequalities and supports local residents through several core initiatives: Emergency Food Distribution, Participatory Action Research, Community Development and Accessibility and Training.

Bryony brings extensive experience in finance and strategy, with a strong track record of leading reporting, improving processes, and supporting decision-making. She has a particular interest in community engagement, inclusion, and local events. She is passionate about bringing people together and using her skills to make a positive impact, and really enjoys contributing to an event that celebrates the diversity, creativity, and vibrancy of the local community.

Outside of this role, Bryony previously served as Treasurer and Trustee of the Young Women’s Music Project. She grew up in Oxford and, after spending time in Brighton and Sydney, has settled back in the city – excited to bring some of the inspiration and energy from those places into her hometown.

East Oxford resident, Sarah Mayhew, has over 20 years’ experience delivering thoughtfully curated events, building long-term relationships with diverse communities, and creating meaningful public engagement through activity spanning programming, production, communication and relationship management. Working nationally and internationally, Sarah brings experience working with universities, festivals, arts organisations, and heritage institutions.

Designing and delivering high-quality experiences that bring people together, strengthen sense of community, and leave a lasting impression has been a defining thread throughout Sarah’s career. Sarah has lived in East Oxford for over ten years, has three young children, and wants to use her professional experience to support Cowley Road Carnival in making the community one of the most vibrant and inclusive neighbourhoods in the country.