Page 33 - Future Leaders Magazine

PROFILES

SARAH LASOYE, 20 Additionally, Sarah negotiated sanitary
product provisions for students from the
School St George’s University of London Students’ Union welfare budget. ‘There is
Subject Biomedical Sciences (BSc) no women’s officer role within St George’s
Year Second Students’ Union, so I’m fulfilling the essential
Grade average 2:1 responsibilities of such a role,’ she says.
She is also the President of the Book Club,
Sarah is the founding President of the leading discussions between groups of readers
Intersectional Feminism Society at her across the campus and leads St George’s
university, where she oversees the work Gospel Choir.
and productivity of a large committee. She
organises open discussions, guest panels Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
and visits exploring feminism, black male Working for the public health service or
hypermasculinity, sexuality and consent. possibly going into politics.

AYO OLATUNJI, 21
School University College London
Subject Medicine (MBBS, iBSc)
Year Second year
Grade average 2:1 (Equivalent)

Ayo is one of 15 black students out of 350
studying medicine at UCL and realises how
imperative it is for representation within the
NAOMI field. Ayo took part in UCL’s Islamic Society’s GIULIA OLAYEMI, 21
charity week where he helped fundraise and
MWAKAMOWO, 21 sell tickets for events such as Children of School Queen Mary University of London
Conflict, which saw the team host refugees Subject Biochemistry (BSc)
School King’s College London from Syria and other war-torn countries. The Year Graduated
Course Extended Medical Degree team raised £131,000, the most money ever Grade First class
Programme (MBBS) raised in the six-year history of the initiative.
Year Second Ayo has also held positions within the Giulia balances her studies with four part-
Grade average 2:1 (Equivalent) African and Caribbean Society and as the time jobs, which include tutoring students in
Publicity Officer within the Black and Minority English, Maths and Science. She also supports
Just before she started university Naomi Ethnic Network. first and second year university students with
made a video of her journey into medical any subject-related queries about Biology and
school. “I found it really difficult to get into Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Chemistry at weekly drop-in sessions.
medical school and I was discouraged by In Nigeria, supplying developing countries with She is the Sports Officer for her university’s
teachers, parents and my grades, so I wanted the start-ups and the resources they need. ACS, where she co-ordinated the London
to make a video that could give people Winterball Sports Tournament in 2015, and is
hope,” she says. That video reached over also the vice-captain of Queen Mary’s netball
10,000 viewers and Naomi received several club second team. Additionally, Guilia is an
testimonies that it helped many students get umpire for Powerplay and GOMammoth – two
into medical school, some of whom now go to netball social league companies – and the
King’s College. “It’s been a privilege to talk to Sponsorship Officer for student-run charity,
and inspire so many not to give up.” EquipAfrica Charitable Trust.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In Zambia, implementing some of the things I I see myself as a consultant in a specialism I’m
have learned on the NHS. not sure of yet.

ESTHER TOLANI, 21 at the annual Culture Shock event. Esther
is also ACS Publicity Officer and works hard
School King’s College London to publicise and brand the society outside of
Subject Biomedical Science (BSc), African and Caribbean cultures.
Psychology (iBSc) Black and minority students at Battersea
Year Graduated Academy also benefited from Esther’s
Grade 2:1 mentorship services during her time
volunteering with Tech First. For one student,
In addition to working towards a career in she organised a Skype meeting with a
health tech, Esther, who goes by the stage professional banker so he could ask questions
name Ayaba, is also honing in her skills in about his chosen vocation.
music and working on her debut EP.
She serves as the Choir Director within Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
the university’s African Caribbean Society Working with mental illnesses and also
and led a tribute to the late Nelson Mandela continuing with music.

2017-18 | FUTURE LEADERS 31