End of the year report

 

·        BLACK HISTORY MONTH

o   Young Black Graduates UK:
We organised a talk with YBG on networking, they were accompanied by a representative of the Civil Service who talked about their Fast Stream scheme. 
About YBG:
      A group created for young black graduates to offer each other support;
for graduates to discuss their own experiences;
for people to share knowledge about work experiences or other opportunities;
for discussions about current issues that affect young black graduates.
and to create networking and careers events for young black graduates.
FB group link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/206655282748956/
   

o   "Black History Month: is it enough?"
We had a talk with a BME panel of speakers including Professor Humayun Ansari OBE, Professor of Islam and Cultural Diversity in the department of History at Royal Holloway. The speakers answered four questions and after each one we had a brief discussion open to the floor. It had been a very engaging and thought provoking event.

 

Here are the questions we asked:

• What is being black and what does it mean to you?
• Do you think BHM is inclusive and representative of various cultures?
• Do you think that there is too much focus on American history and how do you think the national curriculum can be more inclusive of black history?
• Is it a shame that in 2013 there is still a need for BHM?



 

o   Mangaliso Asi:
Following the BHM talk ,we had a live performance at the Stumble Inn, by Mangaliso Asi http://www.mangalisoasi.com , a spoken word and rap performer inspired by South African music; the atmosphere was great and it really complemented  the spirit of the day with a sense of community :). 

·        BME SUBCOMMITTEE
 After Christmas I submitted a motion to have a BME subcommittee, I believe it would be ideal for future officers to start off with subcommittee elections and assign roles in order to accomplish more. The motion passed :D!
 

·        CULTURAL EDUCATION VIDEO SERIES
With the subcommittee we held a few meetings discussing ideas and decided to start a video series to celebrate the cultural diversity and cultural perspectives on a number of topics. We had many topics in mind but between assignments and all we only managed two. Here they are:

o   Relationship attitudes across cultures

 

o   "Beauty regimes across cultures" video link (can't upload here for some reason :L):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Is1O0ZRabs&feature=youtu.be

 

 

·        BOH PROJECT
My view was to celebrate the cultural diversity we are so privileged to have at RoHo. I believe that it would be really good if people were more culturally curious on campus. We have an invaluable opportunity to learn about different cultures and within an increasingly more globalized society, in which totally different cultures coexist, I belief it is crucial to understand each other. With the Beauties of Holloway project we have barely scratched the surface in revealing the beauty that lays within both physical and cultural diversity, nonetheless we are very pleased with the results :). Beauties of Holloway is an extended, culture focused version of Faces of Holloway and it will be released as an insert of the first Orbital edition in the new 2014/15 term. I hope you enjoy it!

 

·        THANK YOU TO ALL!
I want to give a massive shout out to everyone who's been by my side and helped me realise my vision and ideas. I had so many ideas, and there is so much more I would have done, but I would not have managed half of what I have accomplished without the support of these people: thank you Sidonie, Jane, Chama, Dunola, Diana and Jack Kilker. I also want to openheartedly thank all those who morally supported me: all the liberation officers, and all the students (you know who you are) who encouraged me and gave me valuable feedback on how I was doing. I was honoured to receive the Laurel Award!
Thank you all, it's been a wonderful ride :)

Violet