Widening Participation ninth annual Black Achievement Conference: an "inspirational" experience
Panel from left to right: Ire Soleye, President, LSESU African and Caribbean Society; Steve Beckles-Ebusa – The Speaker with the Orange Tie, leadership mind-set expert; Liz King – LSE Undergraduate Admissions; Busayo Twins - LSESU General Secretary; Claudine Reid MBE – Director PJ’s Community Service.
As part of Black History Month, the Widening Participation (WP) Team ran their ninth annual Black Achievement Conference on Saturday 15 October. The conference was attended by over 170 young people aged 14-18 from state schools and colleges, and approximately 50 parents/carers and teachers.
Hosted by presenter and entertainer Kat B, the conference included a key note speech from award-winning Entrepreneur and The Apprentice finalist Bianca Miller. Participants also had the chance to engage in various workshops to inspire and support their decisions about future education choices, with parallel sessions for adult attendees.
The delivery of the event was made possible by the input of a range of people, including many current and former LSE students. A team of WP student ambassadors and members of the LSESU African and Caribbean Society were there on the day to help as well as LSESU General Secretary Busayo Twins who was a panellist in the conference’s Question Time session.
The event proved popular with both young people and parents alike. One Year 12 participant stated that what they most enjoyed about their day was: “People sharing their true experiences and not sugar coating anything” whilst a Year 10 student said: “I really enjoyed today - it was inspirational.”
When asked what they would take away from attending the conference, one parent said: “It was really amazing that the day also focused on parents and their roles in raising champions.”
A teacher also commented: “This is an exceptional opportunity for our students that boosts their motivation. It is something we cannot achieve to such an extent in the classroom and in assembly. I have also taken many insights to help me in my professional and personal development.”
Kirsty Wadsley, Head of Widening Participation said: “The conference was extremely well attended and as the above quotes highlight, initial feedback from participants has been very positive. As with all our events, this success was only possible because of the dedication of everyone who supported the planning and delivery of the conference. This event is an important date in our diary each year and we are already excited about 2017’s tenth anniversary conference; we plan to make it an extra special one!”
