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Professionals from across the charity, property, higher education and cultural sectors networked with London pupils to offer valuable insights

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City St George’s, University of London recently hosted its annual ASCEND Conference, a dedicated event for Black African, Caribbean, and mixed heritage students aged 14 to 15.

The conference took place on March 3 and aimed to inspire and encourage students to consider higher education while providing valuable networking opportunities with Black and mixed heritage professionals from various industries.

The event featured an engaging panel discussion where professionals shared their perspectives on success. Throughout the day, students participated in workshops and networking sessions designed to empower and equip them with the knowledge to navigate their future careers.

Julianah Owusu, Property Developer and Strategist

A total of 94 students from Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, St Aloysius’ College, Mulberry UTC and All Saints Catholic High School attended the event.

Sharing her story with students in a keynote speech, Julianah Owusu, Property Developer and Strategist at Property by Jewels, said:

I'm from Brixton, South London. I grew up on a council estate until I was 18. I was on free school meals. We got evicted multiple times. We didn't have a good start. My parents were first-generation Nigerian parents. They came here for a better life.

I wanted to own my own home because my family never did. I bought my first property at the age of 26. I came from nothing and I made something of myself. I now own eleven properties across the UK.

Julianah said the conference gave young people the chance to see what can be achieved in their future.

"In the property sector, there’s not many people that look like me. Having the information, knowledge and expertise at this young age is such a great foundation to start building a career path."

What does success look like to you?

A panel discussion took place at the conference, with professionals discussing what success looked like to them. Panel members included:

  • Michelle-Louise Yembra – Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Manager at City St George’s
  • Remiel Mitchell – Leadership and Development Consultant, Director of Optimise Workforce Ltd
  • Denise Rawls – Executive Director, National Network for the Education of Care Leavers
  • Kenny Barber – Relationship Manager, Black Music at PRS for Music

Ashley Marshalleck, a Workforce Development Manager at Sport England and panel member, said: "Success can be big or small. What is important is what makes sense for you.”

Ashley Marshalleck, Sport England

Reflecting on the success of the event, Marshalleck added: “Within my role, I use the power of sport to impact others, especially around trying to make the workforce in sport more diverse and inclusive.

I would have jumped at opportunities like today’s conference when I was younger but they did not exist. This is something I would have really benefited from and I want to see our workforce more diverse and inclusive. Many young people today have come and spoken to me. I hope they are future leaders within sport.

Broadening perspectives

Students attending the conference said it was an excellent opportunity to think further about their career aspirations. Faith Ifeoma Nnaji, 14, from Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, attended the event and said: “I think today has been really important because it helps young girls and boys know where they want to go in the future if they are unsure. It broadens your perspective.”

Nana Adwoa Osei, 15, also from Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, agreed with her schoolmate. "I think it’s important to be here because it helps us learn about different jobs and how to get there. If anyone feels discouraged, it helps them to feel more confident," she said.

Pupils from Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School

Raising aspirations

Leanne Allen, Senior Widening Participation Officer at City St George’s and ASCEND conference organiser, expressed her pride in the conference’s impact:

“The ASCEND Conference has grown from strength to strength and is something I am deeply proud of. It is amazing to see 14- and 15-year-old Black African, Caribbean, and Mixed Heritage students get the opportunity to take part in this conference, network with Black professionals and raise their aspirations about higher education.”

Read more about widening participation and support for schools at City St George's.

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