THE full panel of speakers for the North West Migrants Forum’s upcoming Black History Summit 2024 has now been confirmed.
As previously revealed, keynote speaker will be Kenneth B Morris, direct descendant of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and of famed educator and reformer Booker T Washington.
He will joined by (click on names for a full biography of each speaker):
Alfred Abolarin: Alfred Abolarin has spent over 25 years in various leadership positions including Interact NI (1999), ACSONI (2003), Northern Ireland African and Caribbean Chamber of Commerce (2012), MME ThinkTank (2018), NIACLC (2022), and Royalvine and Branches Empowerment Foundation, Africa (1991). In 2005 -2010, Alfred worked as a Race Relations Officer in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and was responsible for the implementation of the Housing Executive’s race relations’ policy. He also developed the Black and Minority Ethnic Housing Forum.
As a former programme manager for ACSONI (2010-2013), he was responsible for the delivery of a European Commission joint project across three countries (Ljubijana -Slovenia, Dublin and Belfast).
Duncan Morrow is a professor at Ulster University as well as a noted author and lecturer. For ten years he was Chief Executive of the NI Community Relations Council.
Dr Naomi Green: Dr Naomi Green is the former Programmes Manager and Research for the North West Migrants Forum’s ‘Hidden History Project’, exploring black heritage in Northern Ireland. She is currently Policy and Public Affairs officer at the British Islamic Medical Association. Her PhD focused on the integration and belonging of Muslims in Northern Ireland.
Oluwayemi Adenuga: Yemi Adenuga was Ireland’s first ever elected black female public representative and Meath County Council’s first migrant councillor.
Yemi first lived in Dublin when she came to Ireland in 2000 and relocated to Navan in 2004, where she lives with her husband and children.
Yemi has a background in radio and television broadcasting as a presenter, newscaster, producer and talk show host.
Seun Awonuga: Originally from Nigeria, Seun Awonuga moved to Ireland in 2022 to pursue postgraduate studies in Data Science.
He completed his studies at Ulster University and graduated in December 2023. Seun now works as a Research Assistant in Data Science at Ulster University where he collaborates on innovative projects and analysing data to address real-world problems.
Beyond his academic and professional work, he is actively involved with the North West Migrants Forum and last year was invited to co-host the Black History Summit.
Oluwaloseyi Olapade: Oluwaloseyi Olapade, of Irish-Nigerian heritage, was born in Ireland to Nigerian parents and spent her formative years in Nigeria before returning to live in Ireland. She holds a strong foundation in law, with an LLB from Griffith College Dublin, where she examined the intersection of freedom of expression and racial discrimination in her thesis.
Driven by her passion for justice, Oluwaloseyi is currently preparing for her FE1 exams while working as a personal assistant to Dr Ebun Joseph, the Special Rapporteur for Ireland’s National Action Plan Against Racism.
Inioluwa Olaosebikan: Inioluwa Olaosebikan is a passionate youth advocate dedicated to social action, migrants’ rights, and equal access to education and employment. As an #iwill Ambassador and member of the Belfast City Youth Council, she works to amplify young voices and create positive change.
Also scheduled to speak is Beverly Simpson. Born in Guyana, South America, Beverly Simpson has been involved in the Northern Ireland care sector for 20 years.
Representing the National Lottery Heritage Fund will be Olive Hill. Ms Hill holds a BA(Hons) in Business Studies and a Masters in Business Administration. In February 2020 she was awarded an OBE for Service to the Economy in Northern Ireland.
Chairing the day’s proceedings will be award-winning journalist Donna Traynor while the event’s musical interludes will be provided by soul singer Winnie Ama and Ugandan-born performer Donna Namukasa.
Chief Executive of the North West Migrants Forum, Lilian Seenoi Barr, said she was delighted with the schedule of speakers and that the mixture of youth and experience should make it a very interesting event.
“The Black History Summit is one of the biggest events on our calendar and we always try and shape it so that both those speaking and those listening get something from it.
“This year I think we have exceeded our expectations by securing the views and opinions of contributors like Ken B Morris, Alfred Abolarin, Yemi Adenuga and Dr Naomi Green.
“But we also have lesser heard voices in Seun, Oluwaloseyi and Inioluwa, all students or former students who will bring to the table fascinating insights into what it means to be a young black person growing up in the Ireland of today.
“I’m really looking forward to this event and to hearing what each and every one of our speakers has to say.”
Black History Summit 2024 is funded by Ulster University, Housing Executive and National Lottery Heritage Fund.
THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR BLACK HISTORY SUMMIT 2024. BOOK YOUR FREE TICKETS HERE: https://buytickets.at/northwestmigrantsforum1/1356283