Page 91 - Future Leaders 2018-2019

‘I love politics, but it is not easy, especially as a young black woman’

found myself at a crossroads. Do I
continue with OB on my own while I’m
in my final year of university or do I let
the initiative go and focus on my studies
without the stress? I chose to continue.
This was far from an easy decision.
My co-founder was no longer around
and I could not manage everything on
my own. I reached out to my network
and advertised for ambassadors.
I quickly went from trying to do
everything on my own to leading a team
of 16 OB Ambassadors across the UK.
An organisation called We Can Win
even contacted me on Twitter and
trained the team.
We went on to organise another
Question Time with Jess Phillips MP
and young people in her constituency.
Participants travelled through thick MPs such as Pat McFadden have engaged in debates.
snow just to attend the event.
In December I was invited to be only 20 years old. Prior to launching OB,
part of an exclusive audience for I was invited to discuss Brexit and this
BBC Radio 5’s first live broadcast year’s general election live on ITV’s 6pm
of #Brexitcast which also aired on News. I never thought I would achieve
BBC World. The OB team then these things.
planned a ‘Demystifying Brexit’ This experience taught me a lot
panel talk for students from the I quickly went of things, one of which is that
West Midlands. Panellists included resilience and determination are
Dr Ryan Murphy (Dean of Aston Law from trying to do key. I love politics, but it is not easy,
School), Professor George Feiger everything on my especially as a young black woman.
(Pro-vice Chancellor of Aston own to leading a I have been subjected to trolls and
University and Executive Dean of told I shouldn’t discuss British
Aston Business School) and team of 16 politics because I don’t ‘look British’.
Mete Coban (CEO of My Life My Say OB Ambassadors That didn’t faze me and should
and Councillor for Hackney). across the UK… never faze you. I share my story in
The event was a success and was the hope that young people will be
attended by over 80 young people. motivated to start their own initiatives.
In April 2018, I was the youngest Don’t be afraid to occupy unfamiliar
person to be listed as one of spaces… especially if you have
Birmingham’s Top 30 Under 30 – at something worth saying.

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