This year, we’re shining a light on Black History Month through the eyes of our students and staff, who share what this month means to them including their experiences, inspirations, and the cultural connections that shape who they are.
Opening our Black History Month spotlight series, Esther, part of our welcome team, reflects on her roots, her inspirations, and what belonging means to her.
Every October, Black History Month invites us to pause, celebrate, and reflect recognising the strength and cultural richness of the Black community, and the stories that continue to shape our everyday lives. At Heriot-Watt Student Union, we see this month as an opportunity to honour history, while listening, learning, and amplifying the voices of those who make our community vibrant and diverse.
This year, we’re shining a light on those voices through the eyes of our students and staff, who share what Black History Month means to them including their experiences, inspirations, and the cultural connections that shape who they are.
Opening our Black History Month spotlight series, Esther, part of our welcome team, reflects on her roots, her inspirations, and what belonging means to her.
Iyinoluwa Esther Owoeye – International Business Management Student & Union Welcome Team Member
“Celebrating Culture, Carrying History”
I’m Iyinoluwa, though most people call me Esther, and I’m in my second year studying International Business Management. My journey with the Union began when a friend sent me a link to volunteer with the Freshers events team. I thought I’d give it a go, and from the very first interview, I felt the warmth and friendliness of the Union. What started as helping with Freshers quickly turned into me joining the Welcome Team as a part-time staff member, and now I can honestly say I love it. I didn’t know much about what unions did before, but now I deeply value the openness, support, and community they create for students like me.
Originally, I’m from Nigeria, but I moved to Scotland three years ago with my family. Edinburgh has become a second home even if it’s a much colder one than I was used to! I’ve grown up here, found my closest friends here, and I’ve learned to love the city so much that I could probably give you a tour of every corner of Princes Street.
Black History Month means something a little different to me here than it did back home. In Nigeria, our history and culture are part of daily life, here, it becomes a time of recognition and appreciation. It’s about celebrating Black culture in all its richness and honouring those of us who have travelled far from home to study and live here. Personally, my grandmother is a huge source of inspiration for me. Her side of the family comes from Benin, a place with a powerful history, and I like to think I’ve inherited her determined, sometimes stubborn, spirit. That strength drives me to take pride in my roots and carry them into everything I do.
I think it’s so important that Black History Month is recognised at Heriot-Watt. For students like me, it brings awareness and inclusivity, and it reminds us that even as a minority, our stories, culture, and skin colour matter. I’d love to see events that bring our traditions to life, from musical performances to mini-festivals and, of course, food. There’s nothing like sharing a plate of jollof rice to celebrate, even if it never tastes quite the same here as it does back home!
My message to students and staff is simple: let this month remind you that your culture is something to be celebrated, and your identity is worth appreciating and loving every single day, not just in October. Black History Month is about honouring our history, our resilience, and our wins, but it’s also about making sure we continue to carry that appreciation into the future for everyone and the people before us.