Overview of attendees
Business-focused panellists
Co-funded by the Black at Sussex programme, the Black Brilliance in Business (BBIB) event was hosted for a second year by the University of Sussex Business School on Wednesday 11 March 2026. This year’s event was organised by the 2025–2026 BBIB Student Group — Ife Agwaze, Nereida Bande, Charlotte Shallow, Makayla Wilkes, Tobi Emmanuel Onisile, and Jacqueline Mugambi. This student-led event brought together students and academics from across the University’s Black community with alumni and professionals for an evening focused on practical tips for career access, confidence building, creating community, and developing shared experiences.
The student organisers explained that the aim of the event was not only to celebrate Black excellence in business but also to create a space where students could ask questions, build networks, and feel more confident about their career paths. The event also highlighted the historical contributions of Black-led businesses and shared practical resources available to students, including career services, mentorship, and application support.
Black at Sussex was represented by Elgasim Hamad, a member of its Steering Committee and a PhD researcher at the Science Policy Research Unit, who emphasised the importance of community, collective growth, and creating opportunities for others. This theme of community support continued throughout the evening, particularly during the panel discussions where students heard open reflections on career journeys, setbacks, and resilience.
During the research panel, researchers from the Business School’s Black community: Dr Ayomikun Idowu, Associate Professor in Information Systems; Dr Bridget Kauma, Assistant Professor in Economics; Dr Seun Osituyo, Associate Professor in Accounting; and Dr Josephine Van-Es, Associate Professor in Management, shared how their identities and lived experiences shaped their paths into academia. They spoke openly about challenges such as cultural adjustment, discouraging feedback during postgraduate studies, and missed opportunities, but also about how resilience, self-reflection, and community support helped shape their careers. Students were encouraged to remain open to different career paths and to make use of available resources and networks.
A business-focused panel with Chireal Shallow, Registered Consultant Psychologist and Director of Clinical Services UK (AMH & CYP), alongside Sussex alumni including Zara Adjaidoo, Graduate Trainee at Kingswood LLP, and Alex Matambo, Enterprise Account Manager at Bloomberg, gave students insight into careers in finance, technology, consulting, and psychology. They spoke about navigating the workplace as Black professionals, the importance of networking, professional communities, mentorship, and developing complementary skills alongside academic study. A key message was that students should take ownership of their career journeys, be proactive in seeking opportunities, and be confident in communicating their aspirations, values, and skills.
Panellists also spoke candidly about imposter syndrome and underrepresentation in professional spaces, encouraging students to build strong support systems and recognise their value beyond grades or job titles. Many students continued these conversations during the Mentorship session that followed, where they were able to speak directly with professionals, ask career questions, build connections, and take professional headshots.
The evening also included a spoken word performance inspired by the event’s theme and reflecting on identity, resilience, and community, a musical performance led by students, and African Caribbean delicacies, helping to create a celebratory and supportive atmosphere.
Reflecting on their experience organising the BBIB event, the student organisers described it as “rewarding and impactful", not only for attendees but also for their own personal development. They further noted that organising the event helped them “develop communication, leadership and problem-solving skills", while also increasing their confidence in their own career paths. Nereida, an international student from Mozambique, noted that the experience gave her insights into how the professional world works in the UK. The organisers also agreed they felt more prepared for their future careers due to leading the planning and delivery of the event.
Overall, the event created a space for students to connect with alumni and professionals, gain practical career advice, and build confidence in their career journeys. By combining storytelling, mentoring, and practical guidance, the Black Brilliance in Business event highlighted the importance of community, representation, and confidence in supporting students’ career progression.
Learn more about the Black at Sussex programme at the University of Sussex.