Join this event hosted by Oluwadamilola Iyanda, BCUSU Vice President Equity & Inclusion
Listen to the stories and experiences of senior black figures in our community, including academic leaders, current local MPs and community figures.
Book now to attend and receive a certificate!
Event Agenda (4:00pm - 7:00 pm)
1. Welcome Address, Oluwadamilola Iyanda (BCUSU Vice President Equity and Inclusion)
2. Introduction of Panel (30 mins)
11 panellists, each sharing for 2 minutes. Each panellist will be briefly introduced with their name, profession, and a quick insight into their career journey.
- Professor David Mba (Vice Chancellor, Birmingham City University)
- Professor Marcia Wilson (Pro Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham City University)
- Imogeen Denton (Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Birmingham City University)
- Dr Martin Glynn (Senior Lecturer Criminology, Birmingham City University)
- Dr Olusegun Ilori (Senior Lecturer Mechanical Engineering, Director of Recruitment and Outreach Program Birmingham City University)
- Dimeji Oderinde (IT Support Analyst, Birmingham City University)
- Adetunji Ademola (Associate Teacher, Birmingham City University International College)
- Paulette Hamilton (Birmingham Erdington Member of Parliament)
- Iqbal Zaynah (MP Caseworker, Birmingham Erdington)
- Casey Bailey (Writer, Performer and Educator Birmingham City University Alumni)
- Mosopefoluwa Popoola (Founder, Africans Unite. Birmingham City University Alumni)
Plus guest speakers:
- Legacy Centre of Excellence and UNIWA Delegation
- Keili Bent (Internal Event and Community Engagement Manager, Legacy Centre of Excellence)
- Keith Shaayam-Smith (CEO Legacy Centre of Excellence)
- Sabrina Sterling- Executive Assistant to Keith Shaayam -Smith
- Mrs Adegbite (United Nigeria Welfare Association Birmingham)
3. Snippets of encouragement from BCU Alumni (10 minutes)
What influenced your choice of career as an Alumni of BCU and how has it shaped your existence?
- Mosopefoluwa Popoola, (Founder, Africans Unite)
- Casey Bailey (Writer, Performer and Educator)
4. Legacy Centre of Excellence Explanation – Keili Bent and Team (5 minutes)
Overview of the Legacy Centre of Excellence and its significance to Students/ Graduate Life
5. Roundtable Discussion (1 hour)
Discussion topic:
What was your childhood like, how did it shape you, and what do you wish you knew when you were first starting your career?
Interlude 1: Live saxophone performance by Daniel Ajibade – JORO by Wizkid (Dannie Blaize) (5 minutes)
What strategies have you employed to overcome systemic barriers and shatter glass ceilings in your personal and professional journey?
Interlude 2: Spoken words from Aminat Abdulkadri ('Resilience') 5 minutes
How can individuals and institutions collectively work towards reclaiming narratives, promoting diversity, and dismantling systemic inequalities?
6. Student Performance & Refreshments (5 minutes)
Interlude 3: Singing performance by Kingsley Nwabude (Puskka)
7. Q&A (15 minutes)
An opportunity for attendees to ask questions and get clarifications.
8. Handling out Certificates and Closing Remarks (15 minutes)
Certificates issued by Oluwadamilola Iyanda (BCUSU Vice President Equity and Inclusion), Donna Storrod (Executive Personal Assistant supporting Professor Harris Beider - Pro Vice-Chancellor Engagement, Enterprise and Innovation (EEI) and Suzy Ledger (née Stevenson) - Chief Executive Officer, BCUSU.
Closing Remarks from Suzy Ledger (née Stevenson) - Chief Executive Officer, BCUSU.
9. Networking and Photo Session
Increase your NetWorth by improving your network.
Speakers and guests:
Paulette Hamilton MP (Erdington)
Imogeen Denton - BCU Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Martin Glynn - BCU Criminology, Senior Lecturer
Professor Marcia Wilson- BCU Pro Vice Chancellor Education
Keili Bent - Event and Community Engagement Manager at Legacy Centre of Excellence
Dimeji Oderinde - BCU IT Support Analyst
Dr Olusegun Ilori - BCU Senior Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering. Director of Recruitment and Outreach program
Iqbal Zaynah - MP Caseworker, Birmingham Erdington
Professor David Mba - BCU Vice-Chancellor
Casey Bailey - Writer, performer and educator. BCU Alumni Birmingham Poet Laureate 2020 – 2022 and the Greater Birmingham Future Face of Arts and Culture 2020.
Mosopefoluwa Popoola - Founder, Africans Unite (BCU Alumni, MSc Advanced Computer Science 2019)
Adetunji Ademola - Associate Teacher, Birmingham City University International College)
Mrs Adegbite - (United Nigeria Welfare Association Birmingham)
This event is open for staff and students!