@OxfordBlackAlum: Rare’s in the news with the Oxford Black Alumni Network

Naomi Kellman, Rare’s Schools, Universities and Data Manager, has been quoted in a number of publications this month following the launch of the official Oxford Black Alumni Network. Naomi - who graduated with first-class honours in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Lincoln College, Oxford in 2011 - co-founded the organisation alongside five other Oxford graduates and Rare alumni, including former Rare staff members Joshua Oware and Daniel Stone, and the first black President of the Oxford University Student Union, Lewis Iwu.

The network aims to connect black Oxford graduates; to inspire alumni to work together, mentoring both each other and aspiring Oxford students; and to involve graduates in outreach projects and networks that broaden access for younger generations. Endorsed as an official alumni group by Oxford University, the Oxford Black Alumni Network has featured in the BBC online news, in the Huffington Post, the Oxford Mail, The Voice and the Evening Standard so far.

Speaking of the rationale behind the network, Naomi told the Standard: “There is still a concern among black students that if they apply they might be the only one — they might think Oxford is not for ‘people like me’. But we want to show that’s not true. There is a long history of black students at Oxford doing well and being happy.”

Naomi was also the driving force behind Target Oxbridge, Rare’s pro-bono programme to support high-achieving black students with their applications to Oxford and Cambridge universities. Launched in 2012, Target Oxbridge has already supported 46 successful applications to Oxbridge from black African and Caribbean students. At Rare, we’re delighted that a cornerstone of the Oxford Black Alumni Network is raising awareness for young people about successful black students Oxford University; we look forward to working with the network in the months and years to come.

Click here to read the full Standard article.
Click here to read the fascinating BBC article on Christian Cole, Oxford University’s first black student.
Click here to read Naomi’s piece on the birth of the network in the Huffington Post.
Click here to read about Rare’s Target Oxbridge, sponsored by the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
Click here to visit the Oxford Black Alumni Network website.