Read how the Black Voices Project has done since it's relaunch in October.
A quick recap
The Black Voices Project (BVP) was launched in 2021, aiming to bring more Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) students to Heriot-Watt, and to ensure that our students, regardless of ethnicity, have a positive experience where they can network and celebrate their culture. There are two parts to this, Black Voices Project Scholarships (led by the university) and BME Advocate work (led by the Union). We have now launched Black Voices Project 2.0, and wanted to give you an update on where things are!
How things have been going!
In October this year, we ran a recruitment drive for BME Advocates as part of Black History Month. We have now recruited 4 BME Advocates, meet them here!
In November, we held an informal meetup for the advocates to get to know each other, to learn about the Student Union and the support they will receive in their role.
In December, the BME Advocates met with the Vice Principal and our Equate Champions. Both the Advocates and the Champions are excited to improve communication about Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion work and create more channels of communication between students and the university, to collaborate on shared goals and initiatives, to foster a sense of community and belonging, to be a visible and familiar face in their roles, and to represent those with similar lived experiences to their own.
LOOKING AHEAD
In the new calendar year, the advocates will turn their attention to planning networking and celebration events – using the ideas they put forward as part of the recruitment process.