BME student campaign at Assembly
25 October 2018
A Cardiff University campaign which aims to give black and minority ethnic (BME) students a voice has reached the Welsh Assembly as part of Black History Month.
The #ITooAmCardiff exhibition features huge freestanding images of BME students accompanied by their own inspiring words.
It has been modelled on a social media campaign created by students at Harvard University.
The exhibition, sponsored by Vaughan Gething AM, can be viewed at the Welsh Assembly’s Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay from 26 October to 30 November 2018.
Mr Gething said: “I am proud to be sponsoring the #ITooAmCardiff exhibition as part of Black History Month. The exhibition showcases the equality, diversity and inclusion of students at Cardiff University.
“In following the journey of BME students the exhibition gives a powerful voice to and helps to raise awareness of some of the issues faced by BME students on campus.
“I wish the exhibition every success as it continues on its journey.”
The display is part of Black History Month 2018 which runs during October.
Cardiff University’s Equality and Diversity Project Officer, Susan Cousins, is behind the #ITooAmCardiff campaign.
She came up with the idea of using images and quotes from BME students to provide them with a platform and raise awareness of diverse aspects of the BME student journey.
The quotes are in the words of the students themselves.
The exhibition has already been on display at the University and the Students’ Union but this is its first time on the road.
Susan is keen to take the campaign outside the University and hopes it will inspire a wider audience at the Pierhead Building.
Susan said: “People love the exhibition because it’s such a powerful representation of differing perspectives. BME students and staff within the University have reacted positively, welcoming its thought-provoking messages.
“We had quite a few BME young people who were not Cardiff University students who came along when it was on display at the University. They thought it was amazing and that Cardiff had done something unusual in reaching and giving voice to BME students.
“I want the exhibition to be seen in as many places as possible and would like people to contact me if they would like to host it.”
The exhibition includes an event on 9 November with Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen Holford, Vaughan Gething AM, Joyce Watson AM, the National Assembly Commissioner with responsibility for equalities issues, and Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales.
