Hi, my name is Sierra Kamara! I am a second year Criminology and Sociology student, and I would be honoured to be your BAME Officer. Being Sierra-Leonean born and North London raised has meant that culture and diversity were always visibly celebrated. However, when I moved to Roehampton, I realised that although multiculturalism was embraced, the lack of visibility and representation made it futile, so navigating in a space where faces like mine were scarce was a daunting experience. Many BAME students expressed the same feelings, which proves that my experience was unique, but not rare.

Nevertheless, this year I witnessed a change in narrative with the BAME community making up 55% of the university, initiatives like the Decolonisation of the Curriculum being introduced and societies like Universal Black Minds creating safe spaces for ALL BAME students to feel like they belong. The circumstances have improved, so we must take a different approach and focus on:

1.       The lack of representation: BAME students are not being accurately advocated for because present non-BAME voices only know what they are taught, not what they experience.

2.       There is a 25.3% attainment gap

3.       The drop-out rate of BAME students is 1.5 times higher than their white counterparts

4.       Lack of BAME role-models in the institution and reading materials

5.       Lack of inclusivity within BAME community

6.       BAME students are more likely to suffer mental health issues than their white counterparts.

If you elect me as you BAME Officer I aim to do several things to alleviate the issues above such as:

1.       Creating a platform where BAME students can express their views and make suggestions: monthly meetings, focus groups and weekly suggestion boxes at BAME events, so that student concerns are being heard, thus improving representation.

2.       Introduce the Wall of BAME: to celebrate BAME alumni and to encourage the emulation of those characters.

3.       Partnering with several officers, lecturers and societies: promote inclusivity and understanding within the BAME community. We must better the experiences of those living at the intersections of race, gender, religion and sexuality. Moreover, collaboration events with BAME societies to encourage cultural education and integration.

4.       Contacting and collaborating with BAME alumni: this will encourage networking and work experience opportunities, as well as raising ambition, thus addressing the attainment gap.

5.       Increase BAME involvement with the RSU and hold regular BAME events: A “Things I wish I knew event”, where BAME students can give advice to others based on experience. Events to celebrate culture and diversity.

6.       Checklist Scheme: BAME students, freshers especially, will be encouraged to do at least one activity with the RSU each term so they are simultaneously engaging in university life and building their CV’s.

7.       Campaign for more BAME councillors: It’s easier to tackle the mental health of BAME students when there are people that can empathise with them. There should also be better advertising to make students aware of services available.

Thank you for taking time to read my manifesto. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding my campaign, feel free to email me at kamaras@roehampton.ac.uk. A vote for me is a vote for you because I will advocate for you to ensure the BAME experience at Roehampton is being improved.