“I’m really excited about creating spaces for Black students at Imperial.”
Ayo Oluyemi is the Education Projects Coordinator in the Education Office and is leading a project to improve the experience of Black students at Imperial. After running successful pilot activities last year supported by the Education Office Innovation Fund, they have secured further funding for the Black @ Imperial programme to run a series of events across the 2025-26 academic year, with the first event taking place later this month.
The programme is open to all Black heritage students but is linked to Imperial’s Access and Participation Plan [pdf] for home undergraduate students. The activities will also aim to address the continuation rate of Black students at Imperial.
Black @ Imperial
Black @ Imperial began through research as part of a Student Shapers project within the Faculty of Natural Sciences, which ultimately led to the creation of Bridges, a programme designed to support undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds within the faculty.
As part of the Student Shapers project, Ayo analysed data from Imperial’s Student Experience Survey, which showed that Black students were less likely to report that they were satisfied overall with their experience at Imperial. It was clear that a central programme for Black students across the university was required.
“There are things that Imperial needs to change to enhance the experience for Black students and hopefully Black @ Imperial will play a part in those improvements and the support available. I’m really excited about creating spaces for Black students at Imperial.”
The programme will include a social event each month as well as talks on key topics such as wellbeing.
Collaboration is key
Collaboration, one of Imperial’s core values, is crucial to Black @ Imperial and Ayo’s wider work within the Education Office. Working on a variety of projects is what attracted them to the role, and means working with many different colleagues across the university.
“I have had feedback and support from so many different people, both staff and students. It is really encouraging to feel that people are invested in Black @ Imperial. We know that students have different experiences depending on what they’re studying, where they are based and what level of study. Collaboration is key to understanding these differences.”
Ayo is passionate about the student experience and the work of colleagues in the Education Office.
“We all genuinely care about the quality of education students receive. There’s a shared drive to keep improving the student experience, and I really respect that about my colleagues. Across the university people are motivated and supportive – it feels like everyone encourages each other to be better.”
Black History Month
Having studied history, Ayo reflects that Black History Month is an opportunity to highlight Black people who have paved the way, particularly figures in STEM such as Jamaican-born physician Dr Harold Moody.
“Black history is for everyone, not just Black people. It is part of the history of this country. It is important to not just talk about the history of enslavement, but also about Black people who have lived in Britain for centuries who have shaped our culture. There has been more awareness of this in recent years thanks to the work of historians like David Olusoga.
“There is a real sense of community among Black students at Imperial, with students supporting each other across year groups. Linking this back to history, there is a big tradition of Black communities doing supplementary schooling. The work behind the African Caribbean Society and the Black Doctoral Network is really impressive. The Black students at Imperial are incredible and the university is fortunate to have such great students.”
Ayo also praised the work of the staff networks, having been along to events run by I600 to make friends when they first started at Imperial two years ago.
Leading the way
Outside of work Ayo is a passionate cyclist and chairs a cycling club called Velociposse. They also coach cycling skills and earlier this year did some coaching for an initiative for women of colour called Cycle Together. 
“I taught fundamental basics like how to feel confident signaling and changing gears to beginner cyclists. I really enjoy coaching cycling because I know the impact that cycling has had on my life, so it feels nice to be able to pass it on to others.”
Read next
Find out more about Black @ Imperial
Discover events and activities at Imperial to mark Black History Month
Check out the Afro Caribbean society
Explore the work of the Black Doctoral network