Since starting my role as Vice President Equity & Inclusion; I have worked with BCUSU staff to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students. Here’s some of what I’ve been working on so far:

Diverse representation

A big part of my role is being committed to ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and represented in the university’s leadership and decision-making processes. By participating in numerous working groups, committees, and meetings, I have striven to create a foundation for inclusive representation. Here are some of the meetings I have contributed to:

• BCUSU’s Board of Trustees: advocating for student interests and priorities in high-level governance decisions for BCUSU.
• Environmental Committee: bringing equity perspectives into sustainability initiatives to ensure they benefit all students.
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committees: Collaborating on strategies to embed EDI into the university’s core operations.
• Disability Student Committee: addressing accessibility barriers and fostering inclusion for disabled students.
• Awareness Month working groups: organising events, campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness of underrepresented student communities.
• Liberation Societies Council: establishing a unified platform for liberation groups to advocate effectively and share resources.
• University of Sanctuary Working Group: supporting efforts to provide a safe, welcoming environment for refugees and asylum seekers.
• LGBTQ+ Staff Network and LGBT Network Committee: strengthening networks and working on activities that support LGBTQ+ students and staff.
• Access and Participation Plan (APP) Operational Team: working to close disparities in access, retention, and success for disadvantaged students.
• Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Review Group (OfS Condition): contributing to safer campus policies and support systems.
• Athena SWAN Steering Group: advancing gender equality through focused institutional initiatives.
• Web Accessibility Group: ensuring university digital platforms are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.

Breaking barriers and building connections

I had the privilege of participating in and organizing impactful events throughout 2024. These experiences not only celebrated diversity and inclusion but also fostered connections, inspired leadership, and created memorable moments for the university community.

• Black History Month Panel: Shattering the Glass Ceiling

As part of my role I wanted to organise an event the showcased the resilience and success of Black figures in our local community. Through my network I sought out trailblazers from various industries, that would motivate students to break through their own ‘glass ceilings’ and redefine the impact they could have on their communities.

It was empowering listening to the academic, professional and cultural experiences from the panel and I hope it was transformational for the many students that attended our event.

Other highlights include:

• Black History Month celebration: Created a representative campaign, highlighting and celebrating the untold stories of students and staff through a variety of  social media and digital campus screens. I also hosted a variety of events to celebrate Black culture and history, such as Film Nights and more.
• Black Student Showcase: I worked in partnership with BCU Careers+ to celebrate black student talents and entrepreneurialism. Our student showcase event had 20+ stalls representing different Liberation Societies and student businesses
• Disability History Month: Co-hosted a discussion session on the experiences of disabled staff through their education and careers in partnership with BCU Disability Steering Group.
• World Mental Health Day: I highlighted the importance of mental well-being through social media videos and promoting on campus events.

Initiatives for students

Advocating for marginalised students has been my core mission. By creating supportive networks and practical initiatives, I want to ensure that every student feels valued and safe. Key initiatives include:

• Grab and Go Crates: following feedback from students who said the University’s Food Pantry wasn’t accessible, I made food supplies available to students to help them during the rise in the cost of food products. I’m hoping to restart this initiative again.
• Financial support: I had a series of awareness stalls to promote BCU’s Financial Assistance Fund while also helping students navigate financial challenges through signposting to BCU’s Emergency Support Fund.
• Mental Health and Well-being support: I organised awareness stalls and resources signposting to key mental health and wellbeing support at BCU.
• Multi-faith rooms: advocating for inclusive spaces that respect and accommodate students of all faiths in all campuses with relevant staff in University Senior Leadership, EDI Team, and BCUSU staff.
• Personal Tutoring (incorporating my Call Centre Initiative for Students): I am working towards enhancing accessibility to academic support for all students working with the University.
• Societies Forum: worked with our Activities & Representation Team to start a forum for Faith and Culture, and Liberation Societies. An initiative to understanding society issues, and promote key messages for committees students.
• Student Work Experience Placement: initiated strategic discussions with Director of Careers+, on the challenges faced by students gaining work experience through placement opportunities, where some sustainable solutions to the issues raised were provided.

Collaborative leadership

By fostering partnerships across the university and beyond, I have amplified student voices and driven collective action for equity and inclusion. Collaborations include:

On campus events

I continually celebrate the cultural heritage and unity of our student groups, but supporting and participating society events on campus. I also attend BCU Open Days which is important to show prospective students what life is like at University, as well as introducing and approaching students at key events across the year such as induction talks, Big Welcome Fairs and more.

National Union of Students (NUS)

I represented BCU students’ interests at NUS National Day of Action at the Westminster House of Parliament, lobbied a number of MPs on issues to better student welfare including: Abolishing the UK Guarantor Bill (NUS Fix Students Housing Campaign), cost-effective transport for students, student mental health, “Break Barriers, Build Britain Campaign”, among others.

I have also attended NUS Lead and Change Conference at University of Birmingham, which is focused on developing leadership skills for student Officers.

I Participated in sessions on policy advocacy, equity leadership, and student representation, networked with fellow student leaders from across the UK to exchange ideas and strategies and gained insights that have informed BCUSU’s strategic approach to championing diversity and inclusion

NUS Regional Training at Aston University provided a focused environment to enhance our leadership capabilities and build on our vision for inclusive student engagement. My training covered effective campaigning, community building, and addressing challenges faced by marginalised student groups.

The training also strengthened partnerships with nearby Students’ Unions to advocate collectively for equitable education policies.

Black History Month Local MPs event

I had the privilege of attending MP Paulette Hamilton’s Black History Month event and participated in engaging discussions about student welfare.

The event celebrated the richness of Black history and culture while fostering dialogue on equity and inclusion. I am elated to have had the opportunity to invite other BCU students to attend this milestone event and to engaging with two other Black MPs Taiwo Owatemi and Florence Eshalomi from other counties.

This impactful event gathered community leaders and advocates to discuss challenges, progress, and the importance of representation. The insights gained have further inspired my commitment to advancing inclusive leadership, diverse representation and celebrating diversity at BCU.

Off-campus and community events

I have participated and led student delegations to the Black Talent Awards, The Association of Jamaican Nationals' Local Heroes Gala, BCU Strategy 2030 and Beyond, Passing the Baton: Installation of Ade Adepitan as BCU Chancellor, and UNIWA Independence Day Celebration. These events have uniquely inspired me and helped connect myself and other students to engage with the wider university community.

I’ve also had the unforgettable experience of walking in procession with Sir Lenny Henry when attending BCU’s ‘Class of 2024’ Graduation Ceremony.

Looking ahead

The year ahead brings exciting opportunities to expand the reach and impact of my work. I look forward to building on this momentum with even more impactful events and initiatives that reflect the values and aspirations of our diverse student body.

My focus will be on:

• Enhancing support services: launching new programs to support mental health and well-being for diverse student groups.
• More engagement opportunities: organising events and platforms to foster meaningful discussions on equity and inclusion.
• Policy advancements: work closely with university leadership to ensure equity and inclusion are embedded in all institutional policies.

Let’s create a brighter, more inclusive future together!