At CCCU we celebrate the contribution of our Black community all year round with our Black History 365 programme. We are proud of our very own inspiring Black female Alumni, some of whom have shared their own journeys and advice to help empower our current students to reach their full potential.

Jennifer Dominic

A BSC Bioscience Alumni and now the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager at MSD, a premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Jennifer is also the Founder and CEO of Wenite which helps students and early professionals understand the scope of careers & paths available within STEM through real people.

Jennifer's advice to current students "Embrace your journey with the same determination that guided me from my beginnings as a Clinical Research Associate to being Chief of Staff and now leading marketing teams in the world of oncology. As a successful black businesswoman, I've learned that excellence knows no boundaries. In the dynamic field of healthcare and life sciences, I've witnessed the power of collaboration, from strategic alliances with pharmaceutical industry giants to making a meaningful impact through my STEM social enterprise, Wenite.

But true success extends beyond individual achievements. It's about the power of community, a principle I've embraced through my involvement in DE&I initiatives and societies. Beyond my professional endeavors, I serve as an EBRG Co-Lead and contribute to the Europe and Canada DE&I council, highlighting the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion within my company. These initiatives remind us that our strength lies in our unity, and together, we can shape a more inclusive future.

To our allies, your support is invaluable. In celebrating Black History Month under the theme 'Saluting Our Sisters,' remember that progress is a collective effort. Be an ally in the truest sense - amplify our voices, champion diversity and inclusion, and stand beside us as we shatter glass ceilings together.

To those who still have a few years of University ahead of you, remember that your journey is just beginning. Every class, every challenge, and every triumph is a step forward. Your time at university is a valuable opportunity to learn, grow, and build a strong foundation for your future. Embrace it with enthusiasm and know that you are on the path to achieving greatness.

To those who are nearly graduating, remember that University is just the beginning of your journey, and beyond its walls, you have the power to break barriers and shatter glass ceilings."

Selena Marie

BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science Alumni and now a mental health support worker at Phoenix Homes.  I am currently studying MSc Adult Nursing. I am now in my final year. My goal is to combine both of my degrees and eventually become a specialist nurse in cardiac rehabilitation as this perfectly interconnects both my interest for clinical and physical health.

Selena shares the key things she learnt from being a student at CCCU " The most important learning point I took with me from my time at Canterbury was to always ask for help! Never be scared or worried to ask even if you think it’s a silly question. A lot of people say this but it’s true. I struggled to ask questions because I didn’t want to be a burden or a nuisance to anyone. However, not asking and trying to figure it out all on my own only put me under a lot of pressure and stress.

Another learning point I took was to balance out my time for fun and hard work. Too much fun will leave you distracted but too much hard work will leave you burnt out. Nevertheless, having a balance of both will help to reduce stress and won’t leave you feeling burnt out."

Buki Akilapa

Doctor of Education Alumni and now a Lecturer in Healthcare at Global Banking School.

Buki shares the advice she included in the introduction of her thesis - Exploring my lived experiences as a Nigerian Black woman in the Education Doctorate programme in the UK - 

"From age 6, I grew up with the knowledge that the West is Best! At the time, in Nigeria, I believed I was privileged to attend a primary school with a White head teacher. I had access to Western books such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood. Several years later, I would consider myself even more privileged as I studied at a Western university to obtain a master's degree and a doctorate. This is because it is usually the dream of every young Nigerian to study at a Western university. Closer to the end of my thesis stage, I realised that Western perspectives and authors mostly dominated my reading lists. I would say that I experienced an awakening in that moment of realisation. I began questioning everything because I saw history repeat itself in a pattern from my childhood. I felt angry but learned to turn inwards using my intuition for guidance. I trusted the process and allowed myself to go through the transformation journey with courage and confidence.

Through this autoethnographic research, I have realised that I could be going through the liminal process more often than I envisaged, with recurring before and after identities while experiencing moments of feeling out of place because I am neither here nor there. Nonetheless, I am now aware that the feeling of being out of place that also impacted my sense of belonging and confidence stems from trying to be like others. Hence, through this research process, I now have the following understanding;

• It is okay to follow my path and not fit into other people's expectations.
• My positionality as an educator is important in promoting inclusive literature that celebrates diversity as a resource for learning.
• My sense of worth does not depend on people's approval of me.
• I am good enough to be my authentic self and do not need to fit in or belong to any groups.
• I have enjoyed and benefitted from the empathetic support of educators in Western higher education, and it is my turn to pay this forward."

Demi Osibona

BSC Sociology and Social Policy Alumni and now Policy Adviser to HM Treasury.

Demi shares her advice to current students "The sky is your limit, never let your background, race or ethnicity limit you, you’re special, different and educated, never give up, if someone tells you no, another person will tell you yes. An open door that was always for you will never shut, so never, never give up on your dreams. Get yourself a mentor to help you, find someone who is in the role you want to be in, network with them and find out what they have done and follow their steps and take their advice."

Isatou Faye

BSc Logistics Management Alumni and now the Check in Hub and Student Initiatives Manager for the Business School.

Isatou shares her experience and advice with current students “The Business School at Canterbury Christ Church University not only enriched me with knowledge, but I discovered a community full of support and representation. My first lecture was led by someone who looked like me, setting the tone for a journey that culminated in a 1st class degree. Now, as a proud alumna and the Check-In Hub and Student Initiatives Manager, I urge current students to seize every opportunity, embrace their uniqueness, and recognise the strength in diversity. Your university journey is more than just an educational pursuit; it's a celebration of resilience, empowerment, and possibilities that unfold when we embrace our authentic selves.

Dorcas Boamah

BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing Alumni and now Nutrition Clinical Nurse Specialist at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Dorcas shares her experience on placement "As a young black girl quitting was never an option. I knew that I wanted to make a difference in life and impact many people to be “the girl from Africa people will aspire to be like”.

This presented many challenges and obstacles, especially during my last year of nursing training 11 years ago. It is forever etched in my memory. In my 3rd year of placement, my mentor repeatedly told me I was on the road to failure, and I was not meeting my objectives. I was devastated by this, and , in a way, you may recognise, I could see no obvious reason for them to feel like this.

I was dedicated, committed, and always made sure my patients were safe. They were saying this was not enough. I was determined that failure was not going to be the outcome of my handwork. Unfortunately for me, my mentor wasn’t being clear about the exact reason for my failure. The only feedback they gave was that I should “speak up “.

My placement was in a district with very low levels of diversity. As a BAME person in such an environment, you intuitively want to protect yourself by withdrawing and making yourself small to be unseen. No one should have to make themselves small and our voice matters!!"