Black History Month profiles
For Black History Month 2018 Imperial As One, the College's BAME staff network, invited people to volunteer and nominate profiles of current staff and students, alumni and inspirational BAME scientists. These profiles were showcased in College throughout the month and you can explore them below.
Black History Month profiles
Kemi Aofolaju
"One day you will realise that your worth is measured by how much of a difference you've made in other people's lives."
David Tyoember
"I had a strong interest in science and wanted to do something science-related since I was 10 years old."
Fadil Bidmos
"My father battled against the odds to raise children that have all become successful in their respective fields. I’m inspired by his ability to keep on going when all the roads seemed blocked or led to nowhere."
Rahma Elmahdi
"My mum – she showed me that you can beat the odds and survive the challenges of life.... Like a phoenix she rose from the ashes of her past life, and that will always be my ultimate inspiration."
Alpha Forna
"Be a bit more curious about everything and learn and grow from every experience, good or bad."
Des Samuel
"Film director Spike Lee was one of my first inspirations – his movie Do the Right Thing left me shocked to find that a Black person - someone like me - could make films."
Amelia Nakimuli
"I was inspired to become a scientist by my high school science teacher."
Clifford Johnson
Professor Clifford Johnson is a scientist, writer and science communicator. Born in London and raised for 10 years in the Caribbean, he studied Physics at Imperial.
Maggie Aderin-Pocock
Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, MBE, is a British space scientist and science educator. She completed her Physics degree at Imperial and went on to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.
Ambrose Cooke
Ambrose Cooke is an entrepreneur and engineer. Raised in London with a Ghanaian background, Ambrose graduated from Imperial with a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering.
Nira Chamberlain
Birmingham-born mathematical modeller Dr Nira Chamberlain has written algorithms to solve complex industrial problems.
Mary Seacole
Mary Seacole, 1805 – 1881, was a medical practitioner born in Kingston, Jamaica.