Join us on Thursday 2 November from 6:30pm LIVE at Sydenham School! Black History Month is a time to shine a light on our shared British history. It is also a time to look forward and celebrate the here and now – and future possibilities. And at last we can hold this popular event together again, in person, for the first time since 2019.
So come and join the conversation - let’s celebrate Black History Month and raise more funds for the school. We have a genuinely inspiring line-up of speakers of different African and African-Caribbean heritage who will be talking about their areas of interest or expertise and much much more!
Introducing:
Monique Ajayi
Unapologetically owning your space: defying fear, embracing success
From Essex to reality TV, modelling, project management, and podcast hosting/editing; my journey is a blend of passions and is really just beginning. Being a BRIT School graduate with a music business degree, I knew from a young age I wanted to take up space in the creative industry. With a new chapter signed at a talent management agency, I'm appreciating the journey I'm currently on and want to encourage and empower young women to take up space!
Instagram: @moniquerenex
TikTok: @moniquerene_x
Roselyn Unegbu
Colour illuminates everything in its path
I am a Fellow of the Association of Project Management, a member of the Chartered Institute of Construction, and a seasoned professional with over 23 years as a project lead, building anything from schools, houses leisure centres, and everything in between. I am passionate about reaching out to young adults and giving back to the community. I am the founder of Projects in Prism, a networking organisation that seeks to bring more women from a global majority into project management.
LinkedIn: Roselyn Unegbu
Lianne Dillsworth
Book Club - Theatre of Marvels
I have MAs in Creative Writing and Victorian Studies and won a place in the London Library Emerging Writers Programme. I was first runner-up in the 2020 SI Leeds Literary Prize for Black and Asian Woman Writers in the UK. I live and work in London. Theatre of Marvels, recently long-listed for a Historical Writers Association Award, is my debut novel.
Christian Wasunna
Art or evidence
I grew up in Kenya, I am a criminal defence barrister. I specialise in serious cases which have attracted local and national media attention. I routinely represent those accused of murder, rape, fraud, kidnap, arson, blackmail, drug offences (including importation and county line allegations), armed robbery, and firearms offences. I have also acted in many cases involving gang-related violence, very young defendants and defendants suffering from mental difficulties.
Amelia Donkor
Telling your own story - Singing your own song
I am an actor, writer and facilitator blending creative arts and community building. I trained at LAMDA and have worked across theatre & television, as well as leading a wide range of workshops and hosting podcasts. I recently studied for an MA in gender, culture and media at Goldsmiths and am an elected member of the Equity Women’s Committee. I am Associate Director at drama-based training company Bi-Jingo specialising in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Instagram: @ameliadonkor
Beverley Bogle
A person with great dreams can achieve great things!
I came to the UK in 1966 from Jamaica to pursue a career in Nursing. I qualified as a state registered nurse in 1970. I spent a total of 43 years as a nurse then midwife working in the National Health Service. I transferred to Higher Education at King’s College London in 1995, where I pioneered and managed the UK’s first post-graduate programmes in Women’s Health Care (2003). I received an award from the University in recognition of over 25 years’ service.
NneNne Iwuji
Celebrating Black women in leadership
NneNne has spent 20 years in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, including as British High Commissioner to Mozambique and as a senior official in Brazil, as well as working in Defra and for Royal Dutch Shell.
NneNne is also a writer, producer, and founding director of Chudor House, a TV and film production company. She has penned a number of shows recently featured on Netflix including ‘African Queens’.
She is passionate about Africa, the African diaspora, and the vibrant exponential potential for growth and prosperity for all that the continent holds.
Instagram:@nnenneuk
Hajira Mahomed
Ubuntu - I am because we are
I am the Diversity and Inclusion Lead for BBC News. Prior to the BBC, I worked in various roles in government, from making the Civil Service more inclusive to cutting my teeth on gender equality policy in The Government Equalities Office. Before the Civil Service, I worked in the National Trust where I trained to be a conservator, caring for historic objects across the UK. I was born in South Africa and attended the University of Johannesburg where I studied Journalism and Psychology.