Campaigning for change
SUBU Black Students' Campaign
The SUBU Black Students' Campaign supports BU students who self-define as black individuals and welcomes black student allies.
It's one of SUBU's six Liberation Campaigns, all of which exist to promote positive change at BU and SUBU, both within learning and social environments.
At the heart of each Liberation Campaign are a series of campaigns and events, led by the elected Officer for that year. These include supporting the national 'Why is My Curriculum White' Campaign, addressing the attainment gap for black students and events for black women, from yoga classes to personal exploration sessions.
Discover more about the SUBU Black Students' Campaign Follow the campaign on Facebook
SUBU Black-owned Business Market
Launched in 2021, the SUBU Black-owned Business Market brings together local black business owners and charities and showcases them to the university community.
When it comes to the busineses, their goods and services are on sell too. From food and drink to fashion, hair and beauty to homeware and gifts and cards, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Following the success of last year's event, the market will once again take place this October, in its new home of the Student Centre on Talbot Campus.
See the 2021 market in action:
Toluwa Atilade, who created the SUBU Allyship Hub to encourage active allyship SUBU Allyship Hub
Set up by Toluwa Atilade, SUBU Vice President Welfare & Community 2021/22, the SUBU Allyship Hub has two main purposes: for the BU community to develop their knowledge of the issues black people and other underrepresented groups face and to understand the lived experiences of these groups, so that they become better active allies.
Whether you choose to read, watch, listen to, follow or see how you can make a difference, the Hub is home to a range of content, offering something for everyone.
Proud to be a Race Equality Charter Member
At BU, we're committed to giving our community – students, staff and graduates – equal opportunities, regardless of race.
Since 2016, we've been a member of the Race Equality Charter (REC). It's an initiative managed by Advance HE and exists to improve the representation, progression and success of underrepresented groups within higher education.
Over the last six years, we've undertaken a range of initiatives to advance racial equality and to reflect this, we're working towards our submission for a Bronze Award in 2023. Our evidence base includes: listening to the experiences of the BU community, demonstrating how teams and individuals are working to embed race equality in the curriculum, and interviews with BU academics whose research, education and practice specifically reflect areas of the REC.
Our Black Alumni Mentoring Programme
DRIVE Change is an award-winning alumni programme designed to increase the visibility of under-represented groups and celebrate their distinctivenessDeveloped across the 2021/22 academic year in partnership with SUBU, our Black Alumni Mentoring Programme matches BU graduates with current black students. The aim is for each mentor (graduate) to provide their mentee (student) with ongoing career support and to create a sense of belonging.
Initially a pilot scheme and now continuing into 2022/23, it was developed in response to feedback from students and is an example of how BU and SUBU are tackling the black students attainment gap.
It's also a core part of DRIVE Change – a series of graduate events and programmes that shine the spotlight on issues under-represented groups continue to face.
BU graduate Kwilole Chisuse-van der Boom
on becoming a mentor for the Black Alumni Mentoring Programme:
I see mentoring as an opportunity to learn and grow with my mentees, based on sharing ideas, experiences and aspirations. If I can help people to feel more confident and better prepared to realise their dreams, then I'll have achieved my goal as a mentor.
