Troy’s story

Troy took part in the Grit Black Leaders workshop 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.  Then there is the colourism: I’m not black enough, I’m not white enough. Grit helped me think about who I am as a person, to be proud of being black, of being white, of being mixed race. I’m much more confident in my identity. 

One of the most powerful moments was when we all had to name role models and explain why we had chosen them. It was amazing how everyone could see something of themselves in the people they chose. My hero was Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, a multi-talented businessman, athlete and performer with Samoan heritage, similarly to my Fijian roots. Each of us suddenly saw how anyone, “just like me”, could become incredibly successful. Anything became possible. 

We took turns in speaking about what we had achieved in our lives – many coming to the UK as a child and making a life, doing well at school, even getting to university. All these little things, things we didn’t think much about. But hearing this out loud it was obvious – every one of us had achieved so much already!  It was all about self-appreciation, self-worth. About understanding what you can achieve if you only set your mind to it. It was inspiring and empowering.

There was a real sense in the group of all being in it together. We found issues and experiences we all shared but, at the same time, uncovered thoughts and beliefs we weren’t really aware of having. You could see people realise ‘I’ve never thought of it like this before.’ We noticed the quality of our underlying thoughts and assumptions – when they were positive and when they were negative. We could choose to hold on to them or let them go, knowing the impact this would have on us and the way we live our lives.

Now I’m so much better at seeing the other point of view.  Since the programme I’ve become VP for Education at the Students Union. During Covid I was able to influence the university in decisions it was making about student assessment. I was able to see why the university thought and acted the way it did, and I could argue the student view so much better.

Since the programme I’ve seen other Grit participants so much more confident and comfortable with who they are. Everyone has upped their game: some realised they could aspire to be even better, to become so much more. Others realised that they weren’t giving it their best shot, that they needed to put the work in.  

The bar has been raised. Permanently. It’s up to me to choose how I respond.