ABOUT THE TEAM
Ramona Q Williams
Samantha J Melville
Samantha J Melville
Founder & CEO — Eyes 4 Positivity / Lived-Experience Advocate | Inclusion Innovator | Strategic Consultant
I founded Eyes 4 Positivity CIC because I truly understand what it means to see the world differently. Living with sight loss has shown me how the world often fails to meet the needs of those living with this condition.
My whole life has taught me that **lived experience is the strongest force for real change**. I don’t just discuss barriers; I’ve walked through them myself. This work began because I saw too many individuals like me being overlooked, underestimated, or left behind in various areas, whether in work, learning, public spaces, or everyday life.
Everything I do is derived from that personal journey of navigating my own vision challenges, grief, health struggles, and confronting unfair systems. My passion is clear: to transform my lived experience into community empowerment, providing sight loss support, a voice, and opportunities for others.
I believe that no one should have to fight alone to be seen, heard, or included. My mission is:
- To ensure sight-loss accessibility is understood, respected, and integrated into society — rather than merely added on.
- To help people build confidence, skills, and fair opportunities.
- To advocate for “Nothing About Us Without Us” — allowing disabled individuals to lead the changes that shape their lives.
- To demonstrate that experiencing vision difference is not a weakness; it’s a unique way to lead, create, and innovate through inclusive technology.
My work is firmly rooted in my own truth, and I promise to walk beside you because I've already navigated this road.
Samantha J Melville
Samantha J Melville
Samantha J Melville
Co‑Founding Director of Programmes & Funding
I bring nearly 9 years of procurement experience, giving me strong skills in relationship management, contracts, negotiations, and stakeholder engagement. I also have a background in content creation — understanding what works for platforms, websites, and audiences — and can design and deliver workshops that are informative and easy to follow.
As a deafblind person with lived experience, I’ve faced many barriers and am a proud advocate for sensory loss and visual impairment awareness. I’ve volunteered with young people, been part of disability groups, and championed accessibility in workplace networks — speaking up for those who may not be heard.
I value clear structure, communication, and collaboration — and can lead meetings, workshops, and collaborative spaces as well as contribute to strategy. I’m also studying for a psychology degree, which I look forward to bringing to the charity alongside my lived experience and empathy.
I look forward to helping Eyes 4 Positivity grow and making a real difference.
NON - EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Raju Jerath
Hasmita Solanki
Hasmita Solanki
I am an experienced digital and eCommerce professional with a passion for driving growth through customer-focused strategy, innovation, and collaboration. Throughout my career, I have led digital transformation and growth initiatives across international brands and diverse sectors, helping organisations enhance customer experiences, deliver commercial success, and embrace new opportunities in an ever-evolving digital landscape. I am particularly passionate about community empowerment and inclusive technology, as these elements are vital in transforming lives, especially for those living with sight loss.
What has always motivated me most, however, is people. I am dedicated to building strong relationships, supporting others to reach their potential, and creating environments where everyone feels valued, empowered, and able to thrive. I believe that lasting success comes from fostering a culture of positivity, continuous learning, and shared purpose.
Joining Eyes 4 Positivity as a Non-Executive Board Member is both a privilege and a responsibility that I am incredibly proud to undertake. The organisation's mission to inspire positivity, build confidence, and help people recognise their potential strongly aligns with my own values. I look forward to contributing my experience while supporting the team in creating meaningful impact in the realms of community empowerment and sight loss support, ultimately helping more people thrive in both their personal and professional lives.
Thanks
Raj
Hasmita Solanki
Hasmita Solanki
Hasmita Solanki
BOARD VALUE STATEMENT
A self-motivated leader with outstanding consulting abilities informed by an extensive regulatory governance career. Capable of advising on a breadth of organisational issues, particularly in areas like community empowerment and inclusive technology. Will enter businesses to pose challenging questions and provide strategic oversight, ensuring operational excellence and workforce satisfaction. A natural problem-solver will ensure all decisions uphold the organisation’s best long-term interests.
A results-driven strategic leader with broad experience in the delivery of regulatory governance within the financial institution and banking arenas, particularly the configuration of Risk Management to facilitate Risk Reporting. Brings to the board a positive can-do attitude and drive to go the extra mile, endorsing an ambitious approach to secure revenue growth and enhance community empowerment through a strategic and business goal-orientated mindset.
Facilitates organisations through strategic advisory by leveraging experience and broad skills in senior leadership, delivering change projects, continuous improvement, problem-solving, and communication skills. A proven leader with a proven ability to build and manage teams, driving high performance. Deft at developing and implementing innovative solutions and planning to resolve complex multi-stakeholder challenges for large-scale and fast-paced organisations, including those focused on sight loss support. Comfortably operates in high-pressure environments under compressed timeframes, skilfully navigating potentially contentious issues.
Areas of expertise: Strategic Planning ▪ Corporate Governance ▪ Relationship Management ▪ Project Management ▪ Stakeholder Engagement ▪ Risk Management/ Enterprise Risk ▪ Leadership & Management ▪ Board Advisory ▪ Governance & Regulatory ▪ Leadership Training & Development ▪ Operational Excellence ▪ Problem Solving ▪ Diversity, Equality & Inclusion ▪ Communication ▪ Growth & Development ▪ Private Banking ▪ Wealth & Asset Management ▪ Taxonomy ▪ Sustainability & Environment ESG
ADVISORY COMMITTEE PANEL
Ebony Rose Dark
Ebony Rose Dark
Ebony Rose Dark
Ebony Rose Dark is your all singing/all dancing, Lip Syncing, Story Telling, Miming V.I.P/Visually Impaired Cabaret/Performance Artist. Known for her powerful performances that address issues like disability, ableism, racism, and relationships within the LGBTQ+ community, Ebony Rose Dark first graced the stage at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern
Ebony Rose Dark is your all singing/all dancing, Lip Syncing, Story Telling, Miming V.I.P/Visually Impaired Cabaret/Performance Artist. Known for her powerful performances that address issues like disability, ableism, racism, and relationships within the LGBTQ+ community, Ebony Rose Dark first graced the stage at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern’s Bar Wotever in 2012, where she has become one of the longest-serving artists in residence. Her performances emphasize community empowerment and provide valuable sight loss support through art. Ebony has captivated audiences nationally and internationally at venues such as The Tate Modern, Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2012, Leeds City Art Gallery, Lyric Hammersmith, Two Brewers Clapham, The Wardrobe Theatre in Bristol, The Cocoa Butter Club in London, Camden Fringe in 2015 and 2016, and internationally in Zagreb, Croatia at the Cultural Centre, as well as during London Pride in 2018 and 2019, Marlborough Pub and Theatre in Brighton, le Pop In Paris, ICA London, Southbank Centre, and The Queen Elizabeth Hall. Her participation in the Cripping The Arts Disability Cabaret Symposium 2019 in Toronto, Canada, alongside Brownton Abby, further illustrates her commitment to using inclusive technology in her performances. Ebony has collaborated with David Hoyle for performances, including A Camp Laff in 2019 and the recent show titled David Hoyle and Friends at The Spire Church in Brighton. Since London Pride 2023, she has proudly performed on the trans-and non-binary stage and continues to engage in meaningful projects. Ebony contributed to The Permissable Beauty film gallery project at Hampton Court Palace, the Wellcome Collection in London, and the Gaze LGBTQIA Festival in Dublin. Her research into live audio description in cabaret dance began during a two-week arts residency at the London School of Contemporary Dance in 2023. She is currently preparing for a new performance debuting at The Place/London School of Contemporary Dance on September 10, 2024. As part of her ongoing artistic development in 2025, Ebony will continue to strengthen her creative ties to one of the U.K.'s most historic LGBTQ+ venues, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. This year, she performed at the event Cabaret versus Cancer and will return to the Brighton Rose Hill Pub for a performance at the Queer Joy Cabaret Club during LGBTQ+ History Month on February 8.
Mehdi Salami
Ebony Rose Dark
Ebony Rose Dark
Born in Kabul in 1975, Mehdi Salami has been a resident of the UK since 2021. He completed his education up to a Grade 12 diploma at a specialized school for people with visual impairments in Tehran, Iran, in 1984. Currently, he is pursuing studies in Journalism and Languages at Birkbeck, University of London.
In 2008, a few years after re
Born in Kabul in 1975, Mehdi Salami has been a resident of the UK since 2021. He completed his education up to a Grade 12 diploma at a specialized school for people with visual impairments in Tehran, Iran, in 1984. Currently, he is pursuing studies in Journalism and Languages at Birkbeck, University of London.
In 2008, a few years after returning to Afghanistan, Mehdi, together with his partner Dr. Benafsha Yaqoobi and other disability rights activists, co-founded Rahyab, an organization dedicated to the empowerment of people with disabilities. Within Rahyab, he contributed to a wide range of initiatives, including training programs, music activities for children, providing educational materials, and computer training.
Following the events of 2021, Mehdi and his partner were forced to leave Afghanistan, leaving behind their home and memories, yet they continued to support their clients and community from abroad.
Mehdi is multilingual, fluent in Arabic, Persian (native), English, and French, and has undertaken translation projects for research institutions in both Iran and Afghanistan throughout his career.
Mariam Onayiga
Ebony Rose Dark
Mariam Onayiga
My name is Mariam. I was born partially sighted and currently work in education. I enjoy reading and writing. I want to be an advocate for the blind and partially sighted community.