Green Templeton student Kelly-Ann Fonderson shortlisted for the Champion of Inclusion Award at Inclusive Companies Awards

Green Templeton College student Kelly-Ann Fonderson was recently shortlisted for the Champion of Inclusion award by the Inclusive Companies Awards, which celebrates inclusive employers and diversity champions. The awards ceremony was held on Thursday 28 November at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate, hosted by Good Morning Britain Presenter Sean Fletcher.

Kelly-Ann, as the youngest to be nominated in her category, is a rising star in the inclusion field, working towards both local, practical changes that spread equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as broader scale changes to policy to enable inclusion for all. We spoke to Kelly-Ann to hear more about the awards and her leadership in inclusion:

“I’m studying for an MPhil in Development Studies, also known as international development. It is very interdisciplinary; with politics, social anthropology and economics, and that’s one of the things that drew me to this programme. I chose Green Templeton as a college choice because it’s a graduate college with people around my age group in a similar stage of life, and saw that it has an explicit commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion which is important to me. I also heard that there was amazing food here, and it’s lived up to my expectations!

The Inclusive Companies Awards that I was nominated for highlight companies who are committed to promoting diversity, equality and inclusion of people with disabilities, LGBT communities, ethnic minorities and so include a diverse range of forms of inclusivity. The ceremony was big, it was really special, with a dress code of formal or cultural attire, dinner, drinks, and high-profile speakers from all over the UK from business, industry and the media. Being one of the youngest people there, it was a very encouraging atmosphere to see that I was in a room with people who on the grand scale cared about the same thing, and not only did they care but they were actually taking action.

I was nominated in the category Champion of Inclusion, highlighting those who have dedicated a lot of their time to promote inclusivity wherever they’re working. Although I was a student and so not formally employed, I used to be chair of the Race Equality Network at the University of Bath; a student-led group where I liaised a lot with the students of the university, but also executive leadership at the university and their network of diversity inclusion and equality.

I was able to make changes such as helping to decolonise the curriculum. I contributed to the diversification of the Political Theory course, which now incorporates more women and ethnic minorities in the module. It was important to make sure they’re not only on the list, but also actually included in the weeks that really matter and embedded as thinkers who are important. The first task promotes diversity while the latter makes it inclusive, since these notable people are positioned in a way that shows their importance.

Another thing that I was involved in was helping to introduce Afro-Caribbean hair products and food to the university’s grocery store. A lot of students and staff weren’t aware that people like myself can’t readily find hair products easily or hairdressers easily. It can be quite stark if you’re a student and you just want to be treated the same as everybody else with products that cater to your needs, so that was something that was a positive collaborative effort. Another collaborative effort I was involved with was co-creating and founding a web show called Blue Table Talk. We got students from diverse backgrounds to speak about their experiences at university, because we found that amongst ourselves we would talk about it, but there wasn’t as much awareness around the university about what our experiences were. The pilot episode became the second most viewed video of the Student Union’s Facebook page.

I became an ambassador and policy expert of the African, Caribbean, Pacific Young Professionals Network while I was on placement in Brussels. I was very interested in EU and Africa relations, and stumbled across this network, and the more I got involved the more responsibility they gave me because I was so enthusiastic! Eventually I had the opportunity to go to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, and my policy recommendations have been published and recognised at the European Parliament, which was great. I was invited back to parliament in Brussels to liaise with Caribbean, Pacific and EU politicians about the future of youth rights as well. Eventually I was even able to go to the UN, so I was able to some really interesting things through that platform. To me what is really important is making sure that youth are on the international agenda and also in decision making seats of power. We’re not there yet, but it’s getting closer and I’m grateful for all the opportunities that have been able to come my way, such as being shortlisted for this award. It’s good to be able to see people working on such issues, and if you shine a spotlight on it then I think that encourages people to engage further.

I don’t know specifically what’s next; I do know that I’d like to do some work with the Oxford University Africa Society and be involved with upcoming conferences. For now, I must say my plate is very full! I am a mentor to prospective African university students, I am playing on the Blues Team for volleyball, and I am Class Rep for my department. Alongside also trying to make place of this weird place called Oxford, it keeps me busy! Over the break though, it will be a priority to catch up on some sleep, and to spend time with family.”

You can read more about Kelly-Ann, her research, and her well-deserved shortlisting.