Meet the team

My name is Alyssa Gava and I’m studying Broadcast and Multimedia Journalism at the University of East Anglia. My goal through my work is to highlight diverse voices and tell the stories of minorities with an interest in TV and Radio production as well as digital media. I would describe myself as a well-rounded creative with passions spanning from technical theatre to dance all the way to art and literature. I always strive to gain as many diverse skills as possible which is why I chose to study an arts and humanities course as I found that alongside being creative and practical it also builds many transferable skills that can be applied to the work force and help with my critical thinking.

One of the challenges I have faced being in an Arts and Humanities sector, especially as an ethnic minority, has been people thinking that you cannot be successful or financially stable following a career you’re passionate about, however I found that the skills I have developed in my course has given me a range of opportunities that have allowed me to begin work from my first year in University. One of which has been the Black Humanities Project, through this project I’ve been able to enhance my skills and use them to help students to learn a new perspective of Arts and Humanities, correcting the misconceptions about future career options and hopefully inspire them to be confident in taking their passion for Arts and Humanities further into higher education.

My one piece of advice for students interested in Arts and Humanities would be that dedication brings you success, if you have a love and passion for what you do, that is the thing that will make you stand out against your competitors

What subject are you studying at university?

I’m a second-year student at UEA studying English Literature with Creative Writing.

What are your passions and interests? (both academically and personally)

I love social media and content creation, and I'm an avid reader and storyteller: I love writing prose, with my novels exploring history - the unsung heroes and silenced voices, politics, interwoven with some fantastical elements. Alongside my studies and creative projects, I love sports: I train in Taekwondo + compete nationally!

What are your ambitions?

I aspire to publish my books and writing, making an impact on readers of colour especially. I’d like to become a well-rounded author, writing in a diverse range of genres and forms, as well as becoming a professional Taekwondo athlete.

Why have you chosen to go to university to study an arts or humanities course? Were there any specific challenges you encountered in your experience?

My knowledge on careers, skills and options within the humanities was fairly limited, which led me to follow the pressures of studying a more science-based discipline - Psychology, thinking it to be a more practical and safer path. I missed being creative and knew I needed to follow my passion and hone my creative skills in a way that challenged me, which is why I transferred degrees! While stepping away from a science-based path was challenging, it ultimately led me to a field where I could truly thrive and explore my creative potential. The transition wasn't easy, but it was the right choice to allow me to follow my heart and grow as a creative.

Why did you join BHP, what is your vision for the project and what do you hope people will get by taking part?

I joined BHP to champion the strengths of studying the humanities at University, eliminating the stereotypes and allowing more ethnic minority students to hone their creative interests. By taking part, I hope students will see the wide-ranging opportunities within the humanities and feel inspired by role models who have made a difference. I want them to leave the project feeling empowered to carve their own path in the creative industries and understand the practical, transferable skills that come with a humanities degree.

What is one people of advice you’d give students interested in arts or humanities?

Dive deep in your creativity and embrace it - embrace everything that makes you unique, everything that you enjoy - this is your unique creative voice, so utilise it as a strength, allowing you to create meaningful and empowering creative pieces that you love. Don't be afraid to put yourself in your work, take risks and experiment.

What subject are you studying at university?

I am studying BSc Psychology at UEA.

What are your passions and interests? (both academically and personally)

Academically, I am passionate about user experience (UX) design, gamification, and understanding how psychology influences design. Personally, I really enjoy dancing, especially K-pop and hip-hop, baking, and learning the piano!

What are your ambitions?

My ambition are to travel the world while working remotely, develop my musical skills, and continue improving as a dancer by pushing myself to the limit. I also hope to find a stable and rewarding job after graduation that allows me to inspire others to pursue their passions and believe in their potential.

Why have you chosen to go to university to study an arts or humanities course? Were there any specific challenges you encountered in your experience?

I chose Psychology because it bridges the gap between the arts and sciences, providing a unique foundation for understanding human behaviour, creativity, and the "why" behind people's actions. I have always been fascinated by the underlying motivations that drive behaviour, and I enjoy delving into research that uncovers patterns and explanations for how people think, feel, and act. Psychology appeals to me because it combines logical analysis with a deep exploration of human emotion and culture, offering endless opportunities for discovery.

Why did you join BHP, what is your vision for the project, and what do you hope people will get by taking part?

I joined BHP to celebrate and amplify the voices of underrepresented students in the arts and humanities, particularly those from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds. I am passionate about empowering young Black and minority ethnic children, showing them that they can achieve anything they set their minds to and that their aspirations are valid and attainable. I believe it’s vital to nurture and curate one’s creativity, whether it becomes a career path or simply remains a fulfilling hobby, as creativity allows us to connect with our heritage, express our identities, and inspire others. Through BHP, I hope to encourage students to embrace their potential and realise the power of their unique voices in shaping the future.

What is one piece of advice you'd give students interested in arts or humanities?

Follow your passions unapologetically, and don’t be afraid to carve your own path—even if it’s unconventional—because your unique perspective is what makes your work valuable!

Abdulamlik possesses expertise in anthropology and archaeology, with a specialisation in the field of art history, specifically focusing on the archaeology of the West African Coast. He previously held the position of a tutor specialising in heritage studies within the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria. He possesses a special affinity for various branches of archaeology, including historic, forensic, marine, pre-historic, Palaeolithic, landscape, and field archaeology. Abdulmalik holds a position on the editorial board of the Academia.edu platform. Furthermore, he has contributed to various research projects as a researcher and field assistant, resulting in the publication of numerous academic articles and conference papers. Abdulmalik is currently a CHASE doctoral researcher at the prestigious Sainsbury Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, Univeristy of East Anglia. The focus of his current research pertains to the reconstruction of the interactions between West African communities and Europeans within the context of the historical era along the Atlantic ocean.

More information

Course: American History
Home: Bucks

Ethnic Roots: Indian

Passions and Interests: Sports, reading, and films.

Why did I join the BHP: A lot of modules on my degree show a lack of diversity and I wanted to try change this and help people get into humanities and understand how exciting and interesting they can be.

What do I hope people will get from taking part in activities: I hope people will understand that humanities isn’t as simple as just being an historian or a geographer and that it has many different aspects to it. I also hope people learn that History isn’t always obvious and that if you look for it there are more interesting stories out there than the ones we are taught.

One piece of advice for students interested in Humanities: Always look for new stories and keep finding new and interesting things to learn.

Course: Translation Studies with Media and Modern Language

Home: London
Heritage: Ugandan and Kenyan
Passions and

Interests: Reading, cooking, music and language learning

Why did I join the BHP: To engage with Black Lives through history, culture and activities.

What do I hope people will get from taking part in activities: I hope people see how versatile humanities are so they have more confidence in expressing their own ideas.

One piece of advice for student interested in humanities: Always ask questions, read more and listen to other people’s perspectives.

Course: Film Studies and English Literature

Home: London

Ethnic roots: Uganda and Sierra Leone

Passions interests and ambitions: Reading, Drawing, 90s Hip hop, Philosophy, poetry and Films

Why did you join the BHP team: I joined the team because I am truly interested and passionate about bringing people together to learn new skills and information through the use of the arts. To educate others is another way of bettering the world.

What do you hope students will get from taking part in activities: I hope students gain an appreciation of humanities and what they can ultimately bring to express oneself and to others. Through our activities I hope it helps the students to understand the positive aspects of what humanities can do.

Do you have one piece of advice you want to give students interested in the arts and humanities:
My advice would be to learn what you feel is appropriate and would better yourself in any expression. Not to rush into any peer pressure as there are multitude of different studies in the world of humanities and the arts.

Course: International relations and politics

Home: Hertfordshire

Ethnic roots: Ghanaian

Passions interests and ambitions: Reading, the environment, politics

Why did you join the BHP team: I joined the team because I am passionate about amplifying voices and stories that have been overlooked in traditional narratives. The BHP offers a unique platform to explore and celebrate the huge contributions of people of colour to the humanities, and I wanted to be part of this vital work.

What do you hope students will get from taking part in activities: I hope students gain a deeper appreciation for the humanities and discover the important contributions of people of colour to these fields. I want them to feel empowered and recognise that their own stories and perspectives are essential to a comprehensive understanding of the humanities.

Do you have one piece of advice you want to give students interested in the arts and humanities: My advice is to engage with stories and ideas that challenge your views and perspectives. Your unique voice and experiences are vital to the arts and humanities, and your contributions can help shape the field so it’s more inclusive.

Course: Geography and International Development
Home: London

Ethnical roots: West African

Passions, interests, and ambitions: Travelling, human rights, culture, writing, and trichology videos.

Why did you join the BHP Team?: I have a personal passion for promoting diversity and inclusion, coupled with an interest in education and feel like the project perfectly aligns with my interests!

What do you hope students will get from taking part in BHP activities?: I hope students who take part in BHP activities will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Black culture, history, and contributions. As well as be able to make an informed decision when picking what to study in higher education, prioritising their personal interests and passions.

Do you have one piece of advice you want to give students interested in arts and humanities?: One piece of advice for students interested in arts and humanities is to always think critically and explore different subjects. Dive deep into what you’re studying, but also look for connections with other fields. Be curious and open-minded and embrace the broadness of the humanities then cultivate your newfound interests.

Jose Socrates Delos Reyes is a Filipino educator and playwright whose works have been staged in the Philippines and the UK. He graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University with a BFA in Creative Writing. In 2016, Dahan-dahan ang Paglubog ng Araw (The Sun Sets Slowly) was featured in The Virgin Labfest, the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ annual theatre festival of one-act plays. Then in 2017, his one-act play Ang Mga Naiwan (Those Left Behind) was staged as part of Sigaw sa Dilim (Cries in the Dark), a theatre production against the state-sanctioned killings of the Duterte administration. Ang Mga Naiwan (Those Left Behind) was eventually published in the Tomás Literary Journal and adapted to radio by the University of the Philippines’ DZUP. His other works have been featured in the TLDTD Poetry Journal, INK Festival 2024, and UEA Declamations. He is finishing his MA in Creative Writing Scriptwriting in the University of East Anglia.

Course: PhD in Film, Television & Media

Home: London

Ethnical roots: Arab

Passions, interests, and ambitions? Filmmaking, teaching, travelling, reading, walking, and exploring new cultures.

Why did you join the Black Humanities Project Team? I joined the Black Humanities Project because I understand the importance of the arts and humanities field, and I wanted to encourage students from Black heritage pursue arts and humanities subjects in higher education.

What do you hope students will get from taking part in BHP activities? I hope the Black Humanities Project activities will lead students to explore new areas within the field of arts and humanities, and I hope BHP activities will help them to improve their multitasking, communication, critical thinking, and time-management skills.

Do you have one piece of advice you want to give students interested in arts and humanities? I would encourage students to strengthen their exposure to the field of arts and humanities, explore one subject they are passionate about and eventually study this subject at university.

Course: Law

Home: Abuja, Nigeria

Ethnical roots: Nigerian

Passions, interests, and ambitions? Playing football, reading and socialising.

Why did you join the Black Humanities Project Team? I joined the project to raise awareness about the importance of Black history and culture, advocating for its proper recognition and inclusion in educational curricula and public discourse.

What do you hope students will get from taking part in BHP activities? The project may serve as a platform for empowering Black students to explore their identities and heritage positively. It can help them feel proud of their cultural background and find inspiration in the achievements of Black individuals throughout history.

Do you have one piece of advice you want to give students interested in arts and humanities? Embrace your love for arts and humanities and pursue subjects that genuinely interest you. Passion is a powerful motivator, and studying what you love will make your learning experience more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Studying: American Studies

Home: Dartford, Kent

Ethnic roots: Half Jamaican and half English

Passions, interests, ambitions: Reading, watching movies, walking and socialising! ​

Why did you join BHP?: I joined the Black Humanities Project because I think it's important for all people to feel represented and welcome to take humanities subjects at higher education no matter who they are or where they're from.

What do you hope students will get from taking part in BHP activities?: I hope students will feel empowered to study humanities subjects at higher education and see that the humanities are much wider than we think.

Do you have one piece of advice you want to give students interested in arts and humanities?: If you're worried that the humanities subject you want to study doesn’t have wide career prospects and this is putting you off - I promise it does. 

Course: English Literature & Philosophy

Ethnical roots? South Asian

Home: New Delhi, India

Passions, interests, and ambitions? Reading, dancing, writing, listening to music and educational/historic podcasts.

Why did you join the Black Humanities Project Team? The project presented me with an opportunity for me to bring about a shared engaging experience whilst bridging the gap between history and different ethnicities using creative routes and to develop my skills.

What do you hope students will get from taking part in BHP activities? I hope that students feel more familiar with their own ethnic communities and have a refreshed take on how humanities is a viable career option.

Do you have one piece of advice you want to give students interested in arts and humanities? I would say explore your interests further and see/ find one cause you're passionate about and how you could achieve that goal utilizing your academic knowledge.

Subject: History & Politics

Home: London

Ethnical roots: Bangladeshi

Passions, interests, and ambitions? Cooking, walking, shopping and singing!

Why did you join the Black Humanities Project Team? I joined BHP because I wanted to make a positive impact for the people of colour in this region. I also wanted to utilise my passion for the humanities and this project was a perfect fit!

What do you hope students will get from taking part in BHP activities? I hope they gain a better understanding of what humanities is and how fascinating it can be!

Do you have one piece of advice you want to give students interested in arts and humanities? The humanities are so interdisciplinary that if you are struggling to pick a subject in one, do not fret!