Black in the Ivory conference celebrated staff and members of the community

The commitments of people who have made a difference to advance race equality in the county were celebrated at a recent University event.

Black in the Ivory was the second of the University of Northampton’s (UON) annual conferences held during Black History Month recognise the experience of people of colour, organised by the University’s Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network.

As a new addition to the conference this year, the GEM Network recognised professionals in the black community and University staff who have helped advance race equality in education across the county. The awardees were:

Picasso Jasper UON Awardees

• Nathan Dodzo and Dr. Patrice Seuwou
• Chris Powis and the Library and Learning Services Team
• Dr Eunice Lumsden
• Kahvan Bryan

Picasso Jasper Community Awardees

• Corville and Marion Brown, for their entrepreneurial and pioneering vision in founding and operating the Independent Overstone Park School.
• Weekes Baptiste, for his notable achievements and service as a playwright and educational consultant in theatre and the arts.
• Reverend Elaine Roberts, for her visionary and inspirational leadership in founding and running Every Nation Bible School in Northamptonshire.

Phoenix Jasper Community Awardee

• Morcea Walker, CBE, DL, for her outstanding public service as an educator, politician and race community activist on behalf of the citizens of Northampton.

Dr Patrice Seuwou, Senior Lecturer in Digital Business, was one of the UON awardees and summed up his research and the academic perspective: “We mainly do this work because of the passion we have for improving equality of opportunities and equity for all. As academics, we have a rare platform to share students’ narratives and experiences to make a difference in our society.”

Rayna Miller, Governor at the University of Northampton, gave the keynote speech at the event. She added: “The Black in the Ivory event was all about celebrating, recognising and reflecting on the awesome contribution people of colour have made in Northamptonshire.

“These people represent a small sample of the best of us and are rightly celebrated, revered and praised in the Black community and across their respective fields. They are living examples of the phrase – ‘If you can see it, you can be it.’

“This year’s Black History Month theme is Proud to Be, and I am truly proud to be a part of this University, and proud to see what the GEM network and our award recipients will do beyond last week’s event.”