Virtual event sees launch of Black Leadership Programme 2021
Published: 12/02/2021
The Black Leadership Programme has launched for 2021 after a virtual opening event welcomed over 100 guests in attendance, including Lord Mayor and Sherriff of Nottingham, representatives from NTU Cultural Partners, Nottingham City Council and members of the University Executive Team.
Held on Thursday 4 February, the launch event celebrated the start of the Black Leadership Programme for 2021 which has welcomed 55 black second year undergraduate students this year.
A collaboration between Nottingham Trent University and Nottingham Trent Students’ Union (NTSU), the programme is designed to empower black second year undergraduate students to gain confidence and become resilient leaders through a series of hands-on events and community-building activities throughout Term Two and Term Three.
Student Daud Xiddig, who has been accepted onto this year’s programme, discussed his experience of the launch event:
As I clicked the ‘Join Meeting’ button, I felt nervous as I was stepping into unknown territory. However, my nerves were quickly settled as I witnessed the Vice-Chancellor, Edward Peck, address the systemic issues currently facing Black students at NTU. As the evening proceeded, I got to witness impactful leaders in our community, share their nuanced experiences. Their stories often led to compelling quotes, as Stacy Johnson encouraged us to ‘proceed as if welcome’. As the leaders championed us, I could feel the power course through our computers. To say, ‘you had to be there’, is an understatement. The following induction event was a fantastic opportunity to meet with new people, and I could already feel a community forming. As I clicked ‘Leave’, I felt prideful of how triumphant the entire evening was.
Daud Xiddig, student on the Black Leadership Programme
Stacy Johnson MBE, Associate Professor, University of Nottingham was just one of the guest panellists in attendance on the night who discussed “The Importance of Black Representation in Leadership.” Johnson was joined on the panel by Troy Brocklebank, NTSU Vice President of Education, Veronika Pickering, Deputy Lieutenant, Nottinghamshire County Council, Rory Campbell, Board and Leadership Advisor and Co-Founder of New Vantage Consulting and Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, New York Attorney and Solicitor of England and Wales, Founder and editor of Women in Leadership Publication.
Speaking after the event, Professor Edward Peck CBE, Vice-Chancellor, Nottingham Trent University said, “The Black Leadership Programme launch was one of the most powerful events that I have ever attended online. The event was thought provoking and I have been able to reflect on what I can do better and differently in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion. NTU is fully committed to race equality and we will continue to work to ensure that all of our students are able to reach their full potential.”
Afua Acheampong, Diversity Governance Coordinator at NTU was also pleased with the success of the launch events and discussed the importance of programmes such as the Black Leadership Programme in tackling racial inequality:
“I’m extremely proud to have been part of the programme for this year! Colleagues across the institution to have come together to deliver a wide range of powerful activities. A big congratulations to the successful applicants and I look forward to working with these students. The Black Leadership Programme is just one example of NTU’s commitment to tackle racial inequality which is highlighted in our Race Equality Action Plan. This reinforces that addressing systemic racism and structural inequalities means change won’t happen overnight but equally, you can’t do it alone.”