Your VP Welfare and Student Officer for Ethnic Minorities on Black History Month.
Black History Month will always be an important moment that invites us to pause and reflect on the historical and present day racial injustices experienced by Black people and to celebrate prominent figures that has helped to promote racial equality. However, I feel safe to say that we can all recognise the importance of Black History Month and that opportunities to learn about the culture and experiences of black people shouldn't end once October has come and gone. Therefore, as Ethnic Minorities Officer I am excited about helping to create more moments to celebrate the diversity of students all year round.
This week marks the start of a new month and the end of October, but there is a wider aspect on the need for representation outside of the liberation months such as Black History Month. The month alone should be a point in which we raise the importance of black history but ultimately their history is our history.
There is so much untapped potential in the culture that many students bring with them, is by providing the means of a supportive space within the community, whether that be within the university or taking advantage of what the wider derby community has to offer.
My mission is to ensure that the underrepresented groups have that sense of belonging within Derby. There are so many voices that need to be heard here at the University of Derby and I am here to listen, amplify and create change together.