Pride Power and Aspire

Without support, reaching university is a challenge for anyone from a widening participation background. Thriving while you’re there is even harder. Some students face further barriers because of immutable parts of their identity. Black African and Caribbean students face systemic race disparities in many aspects of life, and education is no exception. LGBTQ+ students experience more bullying, poorer mental health, and higher rates of estrangement. They are less likely to feel they belong at university. This leads to many Black and LGBTQ+ students dropping out of university and those who stick it out until graduation often leave with a lower degree classification.

We created Pride Power and Aspire in an effort to promote and celebrate diversity in the King’s community.

Aspire and Pride Power are networks for K+ students from Black African, Black Caribbean and mixed Black backgrounds, and LGBTQ+ students and allies respectively. The networks celebrate participants’ identities, creating a safe space for them to foster a sense of belonging and build self-confidence.

I feel like a part of a community. I wasn’t expecting that. Pride Power definitely brought our community together a lot closer. Being LGBTQ, it’s really important we feel like we’re a part of something and we’re united.

Elsie - Pride Power participant