Candidate Profile

Tell us about yourself

I’m an Aidanite doing PPE, but this year I’ve spent way more time and effort being a Campaigns Officer for the People of Colour Association and President of the Philosophy Society. I’m originally, and proudly, from Croydon, South London where I was entirely state schooled. My family is from Grenada on my dad’s side and Jamaica/England on my mum’s. I sing with the Gospel choir and I’m always dancing when I’m alone.

Why is the role important to you?

My ethnic and educational background being what they are, I am currently part of a very small minority in Durham. That´s not going to change anytime soon, perhaps it never will. Regardless, it makes it particularly important for me (and others in the same minorities) that the Durham community is as welcoming and navigable as it can be. For me there’s absolutely no reason why even completely contrasting cultures can’t coexist here. That’s something that happens almost everywhere, not without friction but not with as much as might be expected. But that coexistence can only ever happen where everyone has a basic level of respect for each other. I’d like to help make sure that it is the case, while also supporting the less established groups and identities to grow and express themselves to their full, beautiful potential.

Why should people vote for you?

Through my role as campaigns officer, I will have a year of experience working alongside SU staff, other student groups and the DPOCA exec. Up to now that's included speaking at the SU assembly/helping to create and organise a collaborative campaigns network alongside the SU and the other associations, and running DPOCA specific campaigns (Black Durhamites/A Racism Free Durham/”invisible” conflicts)

As philosophy society president, I've had the pleasure of working alongside my friends on the exec to revive what had been a fading community. It makes me very happy to see people enjoying our events and making new connections through them.

If elected, what sort of officer would you be?

I believe that the Communities officer should exist to help foster thriving communities across JCR’s/student groups/departments and even private housing. That can't be done by force. It must be done by supporting the communities that already exist. That might be by helping them to think of new exciting events. Or it might be connecting them to each other. It might even mean doing a tonne of admin just so they don't have to. I'd be willing to do whatever in the knowledge that it's going to help students feel just as at home here as they always should.

In one sentence, tell us what you imagine Durham could become

A university that isn't too obsessed with its past to make the best of its future.