Students of Colour & Black Leaders
Empowering. Identity.
The Grit Students of Colour and Black Leaders programme is designed to equip students from racialised groups with the confidence, the sense of belonging to become powerful contributors to university life. It supports and challenges students to develop a new sense of agency, empowering their leadership and advocacy skills which, in turn, creates a cohort more willing and able to push for the structural change required.
Facilitated by Black trainers, it explores notions of community, identity and leadership from the perspective of those from racialised groups. Students investigate how to use their personal resources to develop their skills and qualities, generating supportive relationships that build belonging and community. Students look at who it is they want to be for themselves and others; about what it means to be a visible leader who can inspire the next generation.
“It changed my life. I’m in action in a way I wouldn’t have thought possible before. I’ve realised that I matter. That as a black student my input, my opinion, my experience counts. So I’ve got a plan to play an even bigger role in the university”
Student, Nottingham Trent University
42% more achieve an end-of-year grade of 2.1 than in comparator groups
92% feel more like they belong at university
What is it like in a Black Leaders or Students of Colour workshop?
These films give insights into the impact and experience of our Black Leaders and Students of Colour workshops.
Why do Grit’s Black Leaders’ workshop?
Patrick talks about the impact of Grit
Students of Colour describe Grit
Our impact.
Troy, student participant at Nottingham Trent University
“Probably the most important thing I learned from Grit is that your biggest enemy can often be yourself. It’s most likely to be you that gets in the way. Grit gave me the space to reflect on my own mindset, to figure out who I was going to be.
As a mixed-race student I had this confusion, these conflicted identities. I’m not white, I’m not black… Grit helped me think about who I am as a person”
Jaida, Bath Spa University participant
It was eye opening! It was liberating! I’m seeing things in a completely new way. Grit made me see that my voice, my opinion is valid. That what I have to say matters. Everyone in the workshop was respectful. No-one interrupted, everyone listened, everyone was appreciated….
It created a sense of home, a sense of belonging, of having a community of people we can all turn to”