Page 16 - Future Leaders 2018-2019

Profiles

REMI GEORGINA
PHILLIPS-HOOD, 21 RAMSAY, 20
Arts
School: University of
Manchester School: University of Oxford
Course: Architecture (BA) Course: English and Modern
Year: Graduated Languages (BA)
Grade: First class Year: Second
Grade average: 2:1
As part of a team that launched the
first Manchester School of Architecture debate club, Remi This summer sees Georgina make her debut as director of
jumped right into things by agreeing to sit on the inaugural the acclaimed 1970s Ntozake Shange play For Colored Girls
panel – the only student among experienced researchers – with the first all-black, all-female production on an Oxford
and qualified architects. His passion and knowledge stood stage. “My main interest is diversity within the arts,” she
him in good stead and afterwards he was approached by says, “so I knew if I got to Oxford I wanted to direct.”
several attendees who were impressed and inspired by what Georgina is secretary of Oxford ACS and as such is the main
he had to say. contact for the society, managing its day-to-day running and
Setting a great example and being an inspiration the alumni network, and producing a regular newsletter.
represent something of a trademark for Remi, as She also recently spearheaded a Black History Month
exemplified by his role as an unofficial mentor for several showcase, Chronicle, co-chairing a panel discussion about
younger architecture students at his university. Many of being a black woman in the creative sphere with invited
them have approached him because his portfolio is often guests including Clara Amfo and Slumflower.
shown to second-year students by lecturers as an example As a mentor for the AC Tyler Prize – a new essay prize for
of excellent work. Year 12 students of Afro-Caribbean descent who are thinking
Outside of university, he gives back to those in his of applying to Oxford – Georgina is currently helping two
community. During his second year, he was a mentor for students to produce an undergraduate-style essay.
excluded boys who attended Proctors Community Centre A university-trained Access Ambassador, she helps with
in Hulme, Birmingham. events targeted at minorities and is her college’s BAME rep.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
As the pioneer of a new architectural language, and shaping Doing something related to books and making them as
culture on how black people are seen in the field. accessible and diverse as possible.

BONNIE-RUTH SHEVINA SHAW, 21
SAMUYIWA, 22
School: University of
School: University of Birmingham
Cambridge Course: Psychology (BSc)
Course: English (BA) Year: Second
Year: First Grade average: 2:1
Grade average 2:1
Prior to starting university, Shevina
Bonnie-Ruth is in the process of setting up her own online volunteered full time with City Year UK, the country’s
social enterprise business, Expose the Prose, encouraging biggest educational charity, as a near-peer mentor,
13 to 18-year-olds to express themselves. role model and tutor for children. She supported them
She has recently filmed a video for investors, and plans to on attendance, behaviour, and curriculum attainment,
create an innovative website that allows users to upload increasing maths and English grades by 100 per cent.
their own writing, and readers to vote for their favourites. She also organised and ran one-to-one interventions working
With a keen interest in defence and security, Bonnie-Ruth on maths and reading, and devised behavioural charts
joined the Cambridge University Officers’ Training Corps last communicating the benefits and rewards students would
autumn. In the future, she hopes to put the training to good receive if expectations were met.
use with a career in defence, perhaps in a governmental In 2017, Shevina travelled to St Lucia to work in a psychiatric
security agency, the Ministry of Defence or a think tank. hospital as a student mental health intern. She was there as
Bonnie-Ruth is a mentor for the Project Access initiative a winner of the Gateway bursary, sponsored by KPMG, which
at Cambridge, which aims to facilitate people from BAME provides financial support to students undertaking work
and disadvantaged backgrounds applying to Oxbridge and experience relevant to their future career. Here, with the
Russell Group universities. “It’s about helping to portray help of other interns, she set up presentations for
the side of Cambridge that people don’t see or expect. out-patients about the symptoms of mental illnesses.
People assume it’s all for white, posh people but there are They presented to an average of 80 patients per week.
lots of BAME societies and communities.” Shevina says persistence and resilience are her key values
Helping prospective English undergraduates via email and that she takes every opportunity that comes her way, as
and Skype, Bonnie-Ruth also gives tips on applications. “everything you do can be useful.”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope my business will be flourishing and I hope to have As a team leader in banking, changing the perception of
a really good job in some defence and security area. women and people from BME backgrounds.

14 FUTURE LEADERS 10 ANNIVERSARY EDITION
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