Ambar Ennis, Manchester 10/10 Student Partner reflects on the recent celebration event for the programme.
Last December, the university celebrated the graduation of the first cohort and the launch of the second cohort of the Manchester 10/10 Black Leadership Programme (BLP). Over 70 guests were in attendance, including President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison.
The celebration marked a significant milestone. 30 students from across the University received certificates as the inaugural BLP alumni and 38 new Black student leaders joined the programme. The inspirational event set the tone for continued success into 2025.
Launched in December 2023, the BLP was co-created with students to empower Black heritage students to build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills through tailored sessions and community-building activities designed to help participants to become thoughtful, inclusive, and driven leaders.
With the Student Success team’s support, BLP students have worked internships, established societies, and secured mentorship, all while balancing academic and work commitments. At the celebration, student Oluchi Ijeh, awarded “Most Engaged Student,” reflected:
“One of my highlights has been the wonderful people I’ve met on this journey. We’ve grown and laughed together, becoming a community that has achieved so much in a short time—starting businesses and societies, completing internships, and collaborating with fashion brands, to name a few.”
Oluchi’s leadership and ability to uplift her peers made her an exceptional chair for the student panel. Alongside other student leaders, the panel shared honest reflections on their journeys, engaging the audience with insights and sparking thoughtful questions.
Reflecting on the event, Professor Duncan Ivison remarked:
“The event demonstrated to me the extraordinary talent we have within our black heritage community, and it was a joy to hear from several of our talented students who shared their own experience of the programme, and what it has meant for them to have the dedicated support designed to help them thrive as leaders. In my remarks, I said they were already leaders by committing themselves to the BLP, and judging by the conversations I had with some of the participants, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if someone in that room ends up as a future President and Vice Chancellor of our university.”
The keynote speaker, Raymond Evans, Honorary Research Associate in Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, encouraged students to seize opportunities and approach challenges with confidence. He emphasised celebrating successes and remembering that ‘you are already a winner’.
The impactful programme also included LinkedIn headshots, canapés, dancing, and inspiring talks – combining celebration with networking.
Congratulations to the Black Leadership Programme Class of 2024, a warm welcome to the Class of 2025, and well done to Manchester 1010 on another remarkable year!