Why Black people in leadership is important

Today is Black Leaders Awareness Day, a chance for all of us to recognise and acknowledge the incredible Black leaders around us, the importance of Black people within leadership and that more needs to be done to enable Black people to take positions in leadership roles.

Everyone has the ability to be a leader. We recognise that leadership is more than just a job title, leadership also includes: student leaders, community leaders and so much more. 

In the lead up to this day, we asked several Black leaders we’ve had the pleasure of working with why seeing Black people in leadership is important, what it looks like, how it applies to them, their lives, futures and legacies and what they would say to their younger selves. Here is what they had to say:

Yeme Onoabhagbe (She/They), CEO of Student Minds

“10 year old Yeme never had Black role models of any kind to look up to, let alone Black people successfully leading in their chosen careers. I feel privileged to join a long list of affirming Black individuals of all kinds, from charity leaders, to community leaders and students, who inspire 10 years old today. Leadership isn’t simply about leading others, it's about shattering the status quo and challenging norms, so much so that leadership becomes more accessible to those historically prevented from taking up these positions of power. I see this as my duty and privilege.” ​

Taj Donville-Outerbridge (They/Them), A proud black queer non-binary young leader and award winning human rights activist. ​

“For me, true leadership is about being a role model, inspiring and centring those around you to achieve their greatest potential through your actions. You must live authentically, have passion and empathy, and always own your shortcomings. Leaders lead by what they do and how they act, not by what they say. Universities play an important role in who gets to see themselves as a leader and in what spaces. Black students deserve equitable opportunities to become student leaders outside of the ACS and black student officer roles; and universities can support this by increasing their black staff and faculty across all fields, having dedicated leadership programs and support services for us and by listening and believing black students when they tell you what they need to succeed

Andy Owusu (He/Him), Content lead for the Black students’ Student Space package, PhD scholar at London South Bank University, consultant on students’ mental health in Higher Education, a researcher and an author

“For myself as a Black leader I believe my journey is just beginning, I am now finding myself in spaces where my contributions have a larger impact on my community and most importantly the Black student community in higher education. I am helping to create some tangible pieces of work, leading with action not just words, in a lot of the projects that I have been able to connect with. I have partnered with students to ensure student voice is established in anything we do. The students I have worked with within my various projects are the future Black leaders we want in our communities, and they have shown a great passion for change which resonates within the work, it has been amazing to work with such capable individuals.  I want to keep this momentum going, helping to achieve the goal of changing the narrative around mental health within Black communities.”

Sapphire Francis (She/Her), University Mental Health Charter Award assessor and an aspiring clinical psychologist interested in challenging mental health inequalities for people from racialised minority backgrounds

“I used to offer my younger self advice to do things differently. Now, I just want to tell her to be proud of herself. You’re consistently showing up, despite challenges, and soon you'll see exactly how much you've achieved. Continue to lead by example. Thank God, thank yourself, celebrate and say "well done" before moving on.”

Amira Campbell (She/Her), National Union of Students UK President, TALAWA Executive and political activist

“For me, celebrating black leadership is celebrating those that seek to dismantle oppressive systems, practice collectivism, and empower communities we may not hear from otherwise. Black leadership is inextricably connected to the liberation movement. I have been blessed to constantly see black leadership in my family, in my friends, and in those who have taken on this leadership role before me. The National Union of Students holds a strong history of black women in leadership roles. It has been black leaders who have granted me the language to contextualise my lived experience and seek change. Black leaders bring me to work every day. And, although it is terrifying and challenging being a black leader, I am overjoyed to be able to continue to learn more about what black leadership means to me.”

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It is important that people see themselves reflected in leadership positions, but with less than 1% of professors in Higher Education and less than 1% of CEO’s in the UK’s charity sector being Black, unfortunately this is still very rare. It is vital that we not only recognise all the current Black leaders doing great work but also continue to raise up and empower new Black leaders.

For more on this check out:

• Number of Black charity CEOs falls to below 1%, ACEVO research finds
• Number of Black professors up but diversity progress ‘too slow’ - Research Professional News.
• The number of Black CEOs leading top-ranking FTSE companies is still too low warns Queen Mary alumnus Gavin Lewis
• How diverse are British CEOs? Raconteur finds the answers