Page 31 - Future Leaders 2018-2019

MARILYN ACQUAH, 21 OLUWATONI Law
ADEJUYIGBE, 20
School: University of York
Course: Law (LLB) School: University
Year: Graduated of Oxford
Grade: 2:1 Course: Jurisprudence (BA)
Year: Second
Marilyn is head of corporate Grade average: 2:1
relations and a peer mentor at
the Power Networks (TPN). It is a social enterprise that As the captain of St Hilda’s College Football, Toni is
is aimed at increasing access for young sixth-form girls responsible for organising the termly fixtures, as well as
to high-achieving young women, in order to help them seeking sponsorship for the team. “Attending the weekly
fulfil their ambitions. training sessions has greatly improved my ability to work
“I am very much aware that a good leader is one who well in a team,” he says.
serves, and so rather than focussing on bombarding my As the Oxford Law Society Membership Officer, he was in
mentee with multiple opportunities, I made sure to ask charge of organising the society’s stall for Oxford University
her exactly what it was that she hoped to achieve from Freshers Fair, while also administering membership cards to
my mentorship, and made sure I was able to encourage newcomers to the society.
her to explore opportunities and give her advice that was Amongst his duties as the African and Caribbean Society
specific to her,” she says. (ACS) Welfare Officer, Toni organised termly events such as
Her role as head of corporate relations involves liaising the Mental Health Panel Discussion.
with organisations to secure sponsorship. ‘I dealt directly He also pioneered the practice of grouping ACS members
with Hogan Lovells and York Law School, and was able to into ‘families’ to serve as a support system for students.
secure sponsorship towards TPN’s events, as well as event In June 2016, Toni received the Shaw Business, Politics
space for our upcoming Easter Scheme’. and Economics Prize, for his diligence in studying politics
Marilyn was a Kumon Maths and English tutor for two and as the highest attainer in the class.
years between March 2015 and May 2017. During her time His personal philosophy is to always work hard and to
in the role, she taught primary school students aged the best of his ability.
between 4 and 11.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Practising corporate law, on the way to becoming
Fully qualified as a lawyer and working in either energy a partner, with a good connection with private equity
or infrastructure. work in Africa.

ZEYNAB ALIYU, 21 MIRABEL ANOSIKE, 21

School: University of Warwick School: London School of
Course: Law (LLB) Economics
Year: Second Course: Laws (LLB)
Grade average: 2:1 Year: Graduated
Grade: 2:1
Zeynab is founder of the Black
Girls Mentoring Project (BGMP), Mirabel is co-founder of the Phoenix
aimed at inspiring black and minority ethnic girls aged 15-18 Foundation, a social enterprise aimed at empowering young
who wish to go to Russell Group universities. “I am a black girls by equipping them with the skills necessary to boost
girl who attended a state school and made it into a Russell employability and lead healthy, fulfilled lives. The team held
Group university. I now receive countless opportunities and their first project in Nigeria in 2016, where they engaged 30
would like to give back to my community,” she says. girls on a weeklong intensive development course aimed at
“There is a lack of support on arrival at these institutions, improving skills learnt outside of the classroom.
and among my ethnic community there seems to be a lack Mirabel was involved with the Law and Financial Markets
of awareness regarding the importance and significance of society for the first two years of her time at university.
Russell Group universities.” In the first year, she was the Publicity Officer, helping
The project focuses on exams and personal statements, with membership to grow by 40 per cent. In her second year, she
skilled mentors matched to school pupils. Zeynab now has was vice president, and hosted a talk with renowned city
130 mentees from across London, and 70 mentors on her guru, Christopher Stoakes. It was the most successful event
books, who communicate via email and WhatsApp. in the society’s history.
Zeynab has also hosted workshops and created a 12-page Mirabel has played for the Women’s Basketball first team
booklet entitled The Black Girl Uni Guide. during all three years, winning the league and representing
Meanwhile, she is PR Officer for the university society, the her university at the Les Parisiennes games in France.
Black Women’s Project (BWP), taking on a social media role In her spare time, she mentors current and prospective
and promoting events and activities including mental health law students on an informal basis, helping them with
talks and an annual conference, The Discovery, which focuses university and internship applications and also providing
on ways to succeed in your chosen field. interview advice.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Happy in a corporate role, able to take BGMP out there Whatever I am doing I want to be doing it well and happy.
globally, and launching a bursary like the Amos Bursary.

10 ANNIVERSARY EDITION FUTURE LEADERS 29
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