Black History Month: Meet Our Students
Updated: May 24
This Black History Month, we wanted to boost voices from the black community. So, over the last 4 weeks we spoke to 11 students about their culture and inspirations...
We asked the students to tell us about someone from the black community that inspires them. You can read a few of them below, find out why students find them inspiring by clicking on each name:
Zendaya
"Despite the privilege she receives from existing as a lighter complexioned black woman, she has been relentless in setting the tone for how other black women in media should be treated and advocating for. She is a triple threat who breaks records wherever she goes and that is what I aspire to be."
Muhammad Ali
"Muhammad Ali is a historical figure within both the boxing and black community that inspires me deeply. He fought unapologetically in and outside the ring with unmatched bravado. He stood for a world were black people would be integrated and accepted into society during a time in America were this was nothing short of a fairytale dream. Regardless of being regarded as one of the greatest heavy weights of all time, he prostrated himself before God in a show of humility. He was unrivalled with his boxing prowess which allowed him to win the heavy weight champion of the world title in his career and also stood alongside other notable figures like Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr. In simple terms without drowning in my own admiration he stood for what he believed in and that’s why he is my biggest inspiration. "
Dora Akunyili
"Career-wise, Late Dora Akunyili, Nigeria's former Federal Minister of Information & Communication, is top on the list. She did the right thing even when no one was watching; she fought against corruption and stood for the truth until the end."
Jason Voudri
"He inspires me to strive on to get far in my career and not only shares his knowledge but teaches to be humble and respect everyone along the way."
Grandma
"Someone from the black community that inspires me is my grandma, she could never do enough. She was always volunteering in the local church, was an open door to all who required her and had a firm continuum educating herself with various PHD’s such as philosophy. Medicine and law before deciding to specialise in the promoting of bettering life for Afro-Caribbean families."
We also wanted to find out what students’ favourite part of black culture is. By a landslide, the winning answers were the food, music, and art!
The most moving thing we found out is what Black History Month means to our students. The answers were inspirational, so they are compiled in full below:
Everyone gave such phenomenal answers, and this article only includes a portion of insight given from the group. To read their full answers, head over to our Instagram to read each individual feature.