Black History Month 'Community Conversations' Panel Discussion

The purpose of the event is to create a welcoming space for open conversation, encouraging participants to share perspectives, listen to diverse experiences, and explore how we can contribute to a more inclusive University community. Through a panel discussion featuring representatives from staff, alumni, and the Executive team, attendees will be invited to consider a number of key themes, including:

• Community resilience and the strength that emerges through collective support and shared experiences.
• Experiences of belonging, exploring what it means to feel valued, respected, and included within our communities and institutions.
• Allyship, intersectionality and inclusion, and how understanding different lived experiences can help create more equitable environments for all.
• Building more inclusive institutions, considering the role individuals and organisations play in driving meaningful and sustainable change.

Black History Month is an opportunity not only to celebrate the achievements, contributions, and impact of Black communities, but also to reflect on the challenges that remain and the actions we can take to create a more inclusive future. By bringing together voices from across our University community, this event aims to foster understanding, inspire positive action, and strengthen our collective commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Whether you are attending to learn, listen, contribute your perspective, or support others, we welcome you to join us for an afternoon of conversation, connection, and shared learning.

This event is open to all staff, students, alumni, and members of our wider community who are interested in learning, listening, and contributing to the conversation. Whether you are new to these discussions or actively involved in equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives, everyone is welcome.

13:00

Arrival, registration, and refreshments. Attendees are invited to enjoy tea, coffee, and traybakes whilst networking with colleagues and guests.

13:30

Community Conversation Panel Discussion

Our panel discussion will be facilitated by Race Equality Staff Champion Chioma Onoshakpor, Lecturer, Aberdeen Business School and will feature representatives from across the University community, including:

• Executive Leadership representative - Scott Cameron – Executive Director People and Culture and EDI Executive Lead.
• Staff representative - Ibiye Iyalla - Associate Dean, SoCET, and Religion and Belief Equality Staff Champion
• Alumni representative – Kemi Odunsi-Ujiagbe - 

The discussion will explore lived experiences, reflections, and perspectives on building a more inclusive and supportive community.

Closing Remarks

The event will conclude with reflections and closing comments from Scott Cameron, Executive Director for People and Culture and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Executive Lead.

We look forward to welcoming you for an afternoon of conversation, connection, and shared learning.