October has been a really big month as I have been working on achieving my objectives, which got approved by Student Council two weeks ago.
Access and inclusion
October was Black history month. Being Black and someone who proudly embraces my culture in my day-to-day life, I decided to take a trip to America this October to celebrate Black History Month in my own way — by taking part in the Miami Carnival.This year alone, I’ve been involved in four carnivals besides Notting Hill in August, and each one has been an incredible experience filled with color, rhythm, and unity.And since I’m a huge NBA YoungBoy fan, I couldn’t pass up the chance to catch his concert while I was in Miami — it was definitely a highlight of the trip!
Carnival has always been a huge part of my life, and recently I’ve started traveling to experience different carnivals around the world. I love my culture — the creativity, the confidence, and the pure joy that comes with it. I believe it’s important to embrace who you are, no matter your shape, size, or skin colour. For me, that means taking part in ‘Pretty Mas’ — Caribbean carnival in costume. Although the costumes are beautiful and the vibes are always unmatched, Carnival is much more than that. It’s a celebration of freedom, heritage, and culture, deeply rooted in the history of slavery and emancipation. It serves as a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come as a Black community. As this tradition continues to grow in popularity across the world, my hope is that its origins — and the enslaved people who made it possible — will never be forgotten. That’s also why I take part in other traditional Carnival expressions like ‘Jab Jab’ and ‘Jouvert’ — to honour the roots and spirit of resistance that lie at the heart of it all.
Many people are scared of the character ‘Jab Jab’ — and honestly, that’s a good thing. It means the Jab is doing its job. You should be scared.
Jab Jab was one of the earliest characters introduced to Carnival and was born in Grenada. It’s a Grenadian Carnival tradition where participants cover themselves in black oil or paint, wear horns, and carry chains — powerful symbols of resistance and freedom. Rooted in the history of slavery, ‘Jab Jab’ is not a celebration of evil but of liberation. The name itself means “devil,” but the tradition flips that idea on its head. During slavery, enslaved Africans were often painted or portrayed as devils by their masters — dehumanized and demonized. The people of Grenada decided to reclaim that imagery, using it to mock and terrify their oppressors instead. Today, Jab Jab stands as a living archive — a reminder of the chains that once bound us, and how we’ve transformed them into symbols of defiance, pride, and freedom. For me, embracing the Jab Jab is more than just performance — it’s a step toward decolonising the mind, breaking free from the mental remnants of slavery that still echo in our present. That’s why this year, I proudly played Jab Jab at Notting Hill Carnival — to honour my ancestors, their strength, and the spirit of rebellion they passed down to us.
J’ouvert is a vibrant, pre-dawn street celebration that marks the start of Carnival across the Caribbean and its diaspora. It’s one of my absolute favourite events — a time filled with food, art, soca music, and bursts of colour everywhere you look. Traditionally, we celebrate ‘J’ouvert’ in the early hours of the morning, partying through the streets until the sun rises, and then washing ourselves clean in the ocean — a symbolic act of renewal and freedom. Here in the UK, things are a little different. We usually celebrate J’ouvert during the day, but the energy, spirit, and sense of unity are just as powerful. No matter where it takes place, J’ouvert is pure joy — a messy, magical, and meaningful expression of Caribbean identity and resilience
Coming back to the UK and back into work, I was reminded why my manifesto point focused on the experiences of Black students — ensuring at least 60% of Black students feel able to do more than just study on campus — is so important. It’s the perfect reason to encourage the university to embrace Black culture. This year, we had our own Black History Month celebration, packed with activities that brought students together and showcased our vibrant culture.
Here’s a recap of the incredible events KSU ran:
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African & Caribbean Society Games Night – 15th October
The evening was full of fun, laughter, community spirit, and delicious food. Everyone came together to celebrate culture and connect through games.
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Football Fundraiser – 25th October, Tolworth Court
In collaboration with the African & Caribbean Society, we had planned a vibrant football event to raise funds for the Sickle Cell Society. Unfortunately, the event had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. I personally will push for it to be rescheduled.
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Melanin Medics Anti-Racism & EDI Workshop – 15th October
Nursing students and allies came together for this insightful workshop, exploring allyship, advocacy, and anti-racism in healthcare. It was inspiring to see so many students engage in meaningful discussions.
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Black Horror Movie Night – 27th October, SU Events Space
We wrapped up Black History Month with a Jordan Peele movie marathon: Get Out and Us. With free popcorn, it was a fun and spooky way to close the celebrations.
On top of the celebrations, we also made progress on a major initiative: the BSEP report. This month, it was successfully pushed within the university and is now going to the correct departments to implement the changes needed for better Black representation. Among the recommendations were more Black lecturers on campus, and I’m proud to announce that we now have 153 Black course reps, which is 19% of all course reps — a significant step forward.
On top of that, KSU has been offered the opportunity for our Black History content to be featured on the British Council, which is excellent exposure for us and a chance to share our work with a wider audience.
This month reminded me just how powerful celebrating our culture can be — the joy it brings, the connections it fosters, and the pride it instills. Black History Month 2025 was bigger, bolder, and more meaningful than ever, and most importantly, it was all about the students.
Safety
When it comes to improving student safety, I was really delighted to attend the Student Life Committee, which has helped shape the direction of my manifesto. The meeting gave me some great insight into the current safety measures on campus, as well as what the university is already doing and planning for the future. I was also glad to have the opportunity to network with key contacts at Kingston University, and I now have several follow-up meetings scheduled from November onwards to really kick-start my project. I’ve also arranged meetings with Jenni Woods and Annie Sanders to review, renew, and share ideas about student safety and how we can continue improving the overall experience for everyone.
Loneliness
When it comes to decreasing student loneliness, our Staff Refreshers Working Group is now in action! We’re planning some exciting refresher activities for early January, right after the inter-semester break. I’ve been actively contributing feedback within the group, and we’re working on recommendations for more events to help students connect, mingle, and feel at home here at Kingston University. I’ve already seen an amazing range of events and taster sessions hosted by our sports teams and societies, and I can’t wait to get my project fully up and running to create even more great opportunities for everyone to get involved!
Between the 27th and 31st October, KSU ran Kingston Have Your Say! Week, giving everyone the chance to share their thoughts, suggestions, and ideas. I’m really looking forward to going through all the data next month and sharing the feedback so we can turn your voices into real change and action.
Most importantly, I want to make sure students know I’m always here for you. Whether you’ve got an idea, a question, or just want a quick chat, please feel free to reach out — you can DM me on Instagram @ckyra.ku or pop into the SU office any time.