Support for Black students

About the Black Services Directory

Written by: Nanu Viatoshir, DEI Associate at Natixis Investment Managers, LSE Graduate 2023

In any environment, we all want to feel heard, seen and welcomed, which is why the Black Directory service is a game changing resource to support Black student’s wellbeing in higher education.

There are many reasons why a student chooses a university, but often, one key factor stands out. For me, as a Black woman, it was the question of whether I would feel comfortable as a Black individual. With this in mind, I selected my university based on the assurance that I could stay connected to my culture and embrace my Black identity. The excitement of being able to hop on a bus for some delicious African cuisine, filling my kitchen with familiar spices, or restocking my hair products was truly wonderful!

This helped me to enjoy and maximise my university experience and I wouldn’t trade it for the world, however, there was an element of limitation on my choices during sixth form due to the fear of not feeling a sense of belonging elsewhere. Skin colour should not act as a barrier for young people reaching their aspirations or dreams and if I had the Black Directory resource during my application process, I would’ve been more open to universities in different regions and it would’ve felt good to know I have options. The Black Directory is a trans-formative tool for other students as they enter this new chapter in their life, it’ll be amazing for them to not have to alter their identity to tailor it completely to an unknown reality because of not having their cultural needs met, and instead be empowered to make informed decisions to embrace themselves fully.

University presents a whole new roller-coaster experience, and as a young person, it’s important to minimise any challenges that could cause unhelpful stress. It’s truly heartening to see a resource developed by Black students, specifically for Black students, to help them feel at ease in their chosen universities. I am very proud that I was part of the team that helped create this resource, and it was such a relief to know that steps are being taken to ensure that Black students don’t spend the majority of their UCAS applications or university searches anxiously scouring Google Maps for a place that can make their hair look fabulous, haha!

I believe this tool will significantly transform how we engage with the various factors that affect students' well-being. University can be an incredible journey, especially when you feel a sense of belonging and are not burdened by the villainous feeling known as imposter syndrome. Having a space that feels like home away from home is truly a wonderful and comforting experience.