Page 3 - Future Leaders Magazine

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

2017-18

A word

from

the

Editor

e are back! This past year has gone by so fast. It just seems a box that you need to fit into? In a word: No. But read more about
like yesterday that we rolled out last year’s edition of the this on page 68.
Wmagazine. Each year we aim to bring you something Also, one of the things we have been consciously aware of since we
different and fresh and I am confident that Future Leaders 2017-18 started Future Leaders is the disproportionate numbers of Caribbean
will not disappoint. We want this magazine to keep inspiring and students who attend top (Russell Group) universities in the UK, in
encouraging you in a range of ways. comparison to their African counterparts.
One of the big themes this year is ‘stepping out of your comfort It is something we are keen to see change, and we have made
zone’. This undoubtedly means different things to different people, efforts to showcase the fantastic students from Caribbean
but the message is that often, doing something unfamiliar that backgrounds . We are proud to say that our last three number one
scares you a little bit can open the door to your biggest successes and Future Leaders come from a Caribbean background – all on their
greatest adventures. own merits, to the point it is something I realised only very recently,
Examples in the magazine include young people who have when I was speaking at an event to address the issue.
travelled to countries such as Japan, France and Brazil to work, live I am also extremely proud that two of this year’s Future Leaders
and to give back, with and to people who are from totally different have really gotten behind this issue by starting an organisation that
backgrounds and cultures, showcasing how you can positively aims to actively make visible changes. You can read their story on
impact someone else’s life and how others can add to yours through pages 70-71.
genuine care and interaction. And, as always, this year’s 100 Future Leaders are brilliant, our Top
But, stepping out of your usual environment doesn’t mean you 10 are wholly impressive and all 100 are doing things that will inspire
have to travel thousands of miles. and encourage others!
When you go to university for the first time, everything is different One last thing I have to mention is that this is our ninth edition of
and not what you are used to. This is the perfect time to gain new Future Leaders magazine, which means next year we are celebrating
skills, make new friends and get involved in schemes, projects and 10 years of the magazine! A whole decade! Wow! And for our 10th
activities that will enhance your experience and prepare you for life year we will be rolling out some great new initiatives that will involve
afterwards. interacting on a deeper level with schools and colleges, some great
In this year’s edition, some of our Future Leaders talk about some events, and we will also be increasing our online presence, so get
of the new things they have tried at university and the life-changing ready! In the meantime, happy reading!
lessons these experiences have taught them, from managing the
production of a huge flagship university showcase, to leading a
university-wide campaign and challenging the establishment to add
more diversity to a degree course curriculum (see pages 66-67 and
page 69).
We also feature a story on Fiona Asiedu who recently graduated
from the University of Oxford, a place she originally thought was ‘not
for people like me’. Read her amazing story and what part Grime star
Stormzy has played in her journey on pages 52-53. ADENIKE ADENITIRE
One of the other main themes in this year’s magazine is identity.
What does it mean to be ‘young and black’ in today’s society? Is there EDITOR