Nellie Robert Gbadebo is a creative strategist, content creator, women’s health advocate and founder whose personal journey has evolved into a powerful platform for community, representation and social impact. With more than a decade of experience across beauty, lifestyle, fashion and motherhood content, Gbadebo has built a distinctive creative voice. But perhaps the most defining chapter of her story began when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 26 while raising three children under the age of three. Rather than allowing the experience to define her by what she had survived, she transformed it into a purpose driven mission to ensure that other people, particularly Black and ethnically diverse communities, could see themselves represented in conversations around cancer and healthcare.
That transformation gave birth to Touchy-Feely, a creative and cultural organisation that has grown into a significant voice for people affected by cancer. The organisation uses storytelling, culture, community and creative experiences to challenge the way Black people are represented in and around cancer, while creating spaces where difficult conversations about health can become more accessible and human. Touchy-Feely describes its mission as amplifying lived experiences, providing support and building community, with a particular focus on representation and health inequalities.
Under Gbadebo’s leadership, Touchy-Feely has increasingly demonstrated what happens when creative strategy is applied to social advocacy. In 2026, the organisation partnered with the North East London Cancer Alliance to create The Girls’ Bathroom, an immersive breast cancer awareness experience in Shoreditch. Rather than presenting health education through a traditional clinical campaign, the initiative brought together storytelling, live music, culture, community conversations and access to healthcare professionals to encourage women to understand their bodies, recognise warning signs and feel more confident advocating for their health.
Her influence has increasingly extended into the wider creative and corporate landscape. Gbadebo has participated in conversations around creative leadership, representation and the creator economy, including the programming connected to the Financial Times and People Like Us during Cannes Lions 2026, Five X More Black Maternity Experiences initiative. She has also been featured among creative industry leaders at Creators & Culture. These opportunities reflect the evolution of her career from content creation into strategic creative leadership and cultural influence.
Her impact has also been recognised by audiences. In 2025, Gbadebo was named a People’s Choice Award winner at the GLOMAMA Awards, following recognition around her work and influence as a mother and community voice. The award adds another dimension to a career increasingly defined not simply by visibility, but by authenticity, resilience and the ability to turn personal experiences into platforms that serve others.
Today, Nellie Gbadebo represents a new generation of creative entrepreneurs who understand that influence can be converted into meaningful change. Through Touchy-Feely, she has created more than an organisation; she has built a community and a storytelling platform that gives greater visibility to experiences that have historically been overlooked. Her journey from creative strategist and content creator to social entrepreneur, health advocate and award-winning voice demonstrates the power of using creativity not only to capture attention, but to change conversations.
