Imperial’s Race Equality Network Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Imperial As One marked 20 years with a celebration of its legacy, milestones, and commitment to racial equality and inclusion.

Imperial As One (IAO) marked its 20th anniversary with a celebration at Imperial’s White City campus on Friday 11 July 2025, bringing together current and former members, allies, and friends of the network. The afternoon opened with reflections from Executive Sponsor Professor Mary Ryan, followed by a panel with founding members Rudy Page, Mark Richards, and Sunday Popo-Ola, who spoke about the origins of the network in 2005. A second panel of former chairs, Betty Yue and Kani Kamara, shared their experiences of leading the IAO community.  

Current committee members, including the Associate Provost for EDI, Dr Wayne Mitchell, guided the audience through a special slideshow and poetry presentation. This captured special milestones such as the launch of the Media Academy, the NASA visit, cultural programming, and the network being awarded the Rector’s Medal. The presentation also included poems from committee member, Manjula Silva.  

Attendees were also joined by guest speaker Cherron Inko-Tariah, who reflected on the wider power of staff networks in creating lasting change. 

Commenting on the event, committee member, Dr Ada Mau said: “It felt special to be part of the IAO anniversary celebration event, being part of the IAO family and history! I've only been at Imperial for a few years. Hearing from the original members of the network, as well as seeing some of them in person, their amazing stories - was so moving and inspiring. We, collectively, have really achieved so much, really gave me a boost to continue my work as a current committee member, and also a reminder of why we have and need networks like IAO.” 

Throughout the event, members shared stories and memories that highlighted how IAO has grown into a strong and supportive community, driving advocacy, mentoring, and professional development for staff and postgraduate students from Black, Asian and ethnically minoritised backgrounds. The celebration was both a look back at two decades of action and a moment to reaffirm the network’s ongoing commitment to racial equality and inclusion across Imperial. 

Thank you to the committee members — Margaret Lawrence, Dr Judith Cherni, Dr Ada Mau, Dr Manjula Silva, Lou Lee, Ruth Ntumba, Dr Sarah Essilfie-Quaye, Sharon Datt, Dr Wayne Mitchell, Des Samuel, and Rebecca Smith — for their time and commitment in organising the anniversary event and for their ongoing work in leading and supporting the Imperial As One network.

About Imperial As One 

Launched in 2005 as an advisory group to the Rector, Imperial As One is Imperial’s award-winning race equity network for staff and postgraduate students. The network champions an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace culture. It supports all Global Majority staff and postgraduate students by raising awareness, building community, and providing a safe space to connect, be heard, and access resources. 

IAO’s mission is to level the playing field for racially and ethnically minoritised members of the Imperial community, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunity to succeed and thrive.  

To achieve this mission, IAO focuses on five key objectives:  

• Collaborating with the University to identify and dismantle barriers that hinder the progress of Global Majority staff and students.  

• Supporting Imperial’s application to the Race Equality Charter and advancing racial equity initiatives.  

• Supporting career and communications development for minority ethnic staff and students through initiatives such as the Imperial As One Media Academy and the Beyond Ethnicity Career Conference, which offer expert training, public engagement skills, and networking opportunities.  

• Raising the profile of Global Majority staff and highlighting their contributions across the University.  
• Leading efforts to build meaningful partnerships—both within Imperial and across the higher education sector and beyond.  

Through its leadership and advocacy, IAO has sought to be a driving force for positive change and representation within the university.   

IAO works to support and promote an inclusive workplace culture of respect, opportunity, unity, transparency, and equality, and will continually tackle and manage issues of racism, discrimination, fear, and prejudice. This was recognised in 2008 with IAO winning the Rector’s Award for Equality Excellence. In 2021 the IAO co-chairs won The President’s Medal for Excellence in Culture and Community and all the IAO committee were awarded The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award for Culture and Community. In 2024 the IAO Media Academy team won The President’s Award for Excellence in Culture and Community and shortlisted for the Times Higher Education. 2025 sees the team nominated for two Pros Awards: Not for Profit Campaign of the Year and Public Sector Campaign of the Year. 

Imperial’s diversity networks aim to represent different staff groups at Imperial to inform and develop policy, raise awareness of issues, organise events, and act as a safe space. Read about their impact here. 

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