To mark Black History Month Trinity Sixth Formers, Oyin, Kayla, Nwabueze and Keaden who are all part of the school’s African and Caribbean Society, held an assembly based on the theme of ‘Honouring our community’.
The assembly focused on Black excellence, and how excellence is reflected not only in celebrities and high-profile individuals, but in the everyday actions of ordinary people throughout history. The students explored how education can open doors, and how Black excellence in education means striving for success, challenging limitations and creating opportunities. They also reflected on the importance of leadership, not simply as a title or position, but as an opportunity to help others succeed and create positive change.
Joining them in the assembly hall was Trinity alumnus Joshua Moore Prempeh, Class of 2021, who spoke to the students about the lessons he learnt while studying Architecture at Cambridge University.
Joshua explained how hearing civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton speak about the power of community had inspired his Master’s research, which explored the design of affordable housing influenced by traditional Ghanaian homes in Jamestown, Accra.
Speaking on the significance of community, he reflected on his time in Jamestown, where he spent time conducting research for his Master’s. He spoke passionately about the people he met during the trip, whose warmth, generosity and knowledge challenged the negative stereotypes he had encountered before visiting. He explained how much he had learnt from the community itself, whose insights proved invaluable to his research.
He explained to the students that when building community, it is essential to not make judgements about people who are different from you and instead be willing to relate to all people.
Bringing his message closer to home, Joshua encouraged students to think about those within the Trinity community who might feel lonely or excluded, challenging everyone to make a difference through simple acts of kindness, whether saying hello to someone new, including others in activities or helping a friend with their schoolwork.
He also reflected fondly on his own time at Trinity, recalling friendships formed on the rugby pitch and the encouragement of his teachers, while recognising the school’s ambition to raise £1.4 million for the Trinity Bursary Fund as an example of a community making a difference.
He closed his talk with one final thought for the students to takeaway, “a good community stays with you forever, even after you leave.”
To close the assembly Lower Sixth Keaden, Trinity’s first ever Poet Laureate, recited an original poem called The Melanin Speaks for Itself. Drawing on his own experiences and the wider experiences of young Black people, Keaden explored identity, pride, prejudice and the pressure to conform, delivering a powerful message about self-worth and the importance of embracing individuality. He challenged the audience to consider what meaningful equality requires: “Equality requires more than good intentions. It takes real action, not empty expressions.”
His poem ended on an uplifting note, encouraging young Black people to recognise their potential and shape their own futures: “We are the authors of tomorrow and the architects of change itself.”
The poem was engaging and thought-provoking and gave the rest of the school community a chance to reflect on the deeper meanings behind Black History Month.
Reflecting on the assembly Oyin, Kyla and Nwabueze spoke on what they hope people take away from, not only the assembly but, Black History Month itself:
“I hope that people takeaway the fact that it’s important to recognise that yes black people have to work harder for certain opportunities, but they’re still equally as able, and we don’t want anyone to be treated less based on their appearance.”- Oyin
“I really hope that people can celebrate black excellence with us. I want people to be inspired to recognise black people all throughout the year.” – Kyla
“I want black people to come together and to celebrate each other.” -Nwabueze
The assembly formed part of an exciting programme of events taking place this month. Students in LitSoc and ACS have already had the opportunity to hear a fascinating talk from alumnus Joshua Akuffo, entitled ‘The Monolith Paradox: Black Identity, Community and the Cost of Conformity’, where he explored identity, community and the complexities of belonging. He drew on his own experiences and a range of sociological and philosophical ideas, and encouraged students and staff alike to consider the thought-provoking question:
How can a community maintain solidarity without turning solidarity into ideological conformity?
Students can also look forward to a talk by Trinity alum, Marley Lyttle, who will give a talk to Economics Society entitled Pardner Hands to Private Wealth: The Law of Building Something That Lasts.
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