On April 17th, the Bounce Black team and guests gathered at Mentivity House to officially launch our ROOTS: Career Foundations Programme, a 5-week journey designed to empower Black students and recent graduates to thrive personally and professionally.

Welcoming our inspiring students from different parts of the nation, the evening set the tone for the programme with community, authenticity, and ambition at its heart.

After a warm welcome by our Founder Nikki Adebiyi, and a few words on the vision behind ROOTS, students were introduced to our key partners and facilitators, who will journey alongside them over the coming weeks.

First, we heard from Sayce Holmes-Lewis, founder of youth empowerment charity Mentivity, who recently hosted the Prince and Princess of Wales at the same venue we held our event!

Then we were honoured to have Judge Peter Herbert OBE as our keynote speaker. He shared powerful reflections on resilience, identity, and navigating professional spaces with integrity. His lively personality coupled with his well-earned wisdom made for a special and insightful evening for everyone in the room.

The night continued with a panel discussion featuring junior civil engineer Agatha Nantume, civil servant Demi Daniel, and Judge Peter, who explored the theme Thriving While Black. They spoke candidly about their journeys, dismantling myths about success, navigating self-doubt, and protecting wellbeing in high-pressure environments. Students were encouraged to embrace vulnerability, ask bold questions, and define success on their own terms.

Following an engaging Q&A session led by attendees, there was an opportunity to network, enjoy yummy refreshments provided by Events Meets World, and have some professional headshots taken by Festus Akinsulire, to kickstart their personal brands and online presence.

The launch event was more than a welcome — it was a statement: that Black students deserve spaces to grow, heal, and lead boldly. And if no one else will, Bounce Black will provide that space. Period!

Thank you to our speakers, partners, and the brilliant students who are already showing up with so much heart.

We are in week 3 of 5 of the programme, so it’s an exciting time of learning and absorbing. We’ll be sure to be back with an update at the end of the programme.

Onwards and upwards!

The ROOTS: Career Foundations Programme runs from April to June 2025, funded by Synergi Project.