ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv

Professor Gus John is a juggernaut of social and racial inequality in the UK.

He became the UK’s first black Director of Education and Leisure Services, won the Martin Luther King Memorial Prize for his book “Because they’re Black”, coordinated important social movements and helped create Black supplementary schools in Oxford and Birmingham to improve Black children’s education standards.

To mark his 80^th year, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv (ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv) Leicester hosted a special evening dedicated to his journey and the impact that his work has had on society. Organised by Annette Hay and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv, “60 years in 60 minutes” explored the struggles for social, educational and racial justice in the UK.

Before taking to the stage to share his journey, Gus took some time to speak to us about what work still needs to be done and ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv’s role in delivering social justice.

 

“I’m very proud that my eldest grandson goes to ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv.

“He's doing Footwear Design and he is one of, I think, eight ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv students who have been chosen to do work with Adidas. The work the university does in fashion and leather is industry-leading and shows that you can still be a leader while staying true to its roots in Leicester and Leicestershire.”

For more than 150 years, over its different incarnations, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv’s mission to serve Leicester and its diverse population has seen the institution place Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at the front and centre of everything it does.

Its Decolonising ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv programme has created teaching and learning toolkits, such as resources to make midwifery teaching staff colour aware and a review of staff recruitment policies to enable the institution to develop a more ethnically representative workforce.

The initiative also sees the appointment of Fair Outcome Champions, who work to promote racial equity by delivering racial literacy development sessions, supporting staff in conversations about race, and developing anti-racist training.

The university is home to the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre, which continues to deliver community engagement and embed social justice into the teaching curriculum, while preserving the legacy of Stephen Lawrence.

“What matters is not just that you're able to show you're complying with the requirements of legislation, but that you're actually using the legislation as a lever to bring about change in your organisation.

“The Equality Challenge Unit (now Advance HE) started the Equality Charter to combat racism and promote a culture of equality. While many companies were still grappling with that, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv was proactive in their approach and they were the first university to achieve a Silver Race Equality Charter.

“That is significant.”

Only three universities in the UK can boast that they have Silver Race Equality Charters. In April 2023, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv received the first one, having showcased a variety of initiatives it has taken to challenge racism and build a fairer, more equitable society.

Gus’ journey with ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv started in the 1960s. Having arrived in Britain from his home on the Caribbean island of Grenada, the then 19-year-old studied Theology at Oxford University before deciding to study for a postgraduate diploma in Youth and Community Work in 1968.

He studied at the National College for the Training of Youth Leaders in Scraptoft, part of Leicester Polytechnic. That moment marked the beginning of a deep and lasting connection to this city and to the people and institutions of the East Midlands.

While much of the racial segregation and violence that scarred Britain in the 1950s and 60s has subsided, more still has to be done to protect marginalised groups within society.

Speaking with the same fire that has served him over his 60 years of campaigning, Gus feels that there’s still more that higher education can do to teach and ensure that equality of opportunity is ever-present in the country.

“Decolonisation can’t just stop at curricula.  The purpose of education and schooling is to humanise society. Higher education needs to be open to offering a broader, global perspective for young people.

“Initiatives like The [Race] Quality Charter, the Athena Kite Mark, the decolonisation agenda ensure that universities and their students are focusing the next generation of leaders and managers on the aptitudes and values they need to know.

“We also need to address the snobbery that makes people look down on non-Russell Group universities.

“I looked into where some of the top city lawyers recruit from as part of my work for the Solicitors Regulation and a lot of big city law firms are still primarily recruiting from Russel Group universities - it’s not right.

“The purpose of education and schooling is to humanise society. It is certainly not to widen social divisions between people in society.

“Why shouldn’t someone on a vocational course be as sophisticated and as knowledgeable and as well-read? That is something the country still needs to address.”

Gus’ journey has inspired countless people in the UK. Among them is Annette Hay, Equality, diversity and Inclusion Lead at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv, who helped organise Tuesday’s (15 July) event.

Annette said: “As someone deeply inspired by his work and personal example, I wanted to honour his remarkable legacy and to give thanks for the paths he has opened for students, young people, researchers, community members, and activists alike.

“His contributions have sparked critical conversations, inspired action, and shaped generations to come.  This celebration is to mark his significant impact, which will surely continue to resonate and empower future changemakers, leaders and educators, here at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv and beyond”. 

Having already received an Honorary Degree from ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv in 1996, Gus is set to receive a Companionship Award at next month’s graduation ceremonies.

It’s a testament to his unwavering commitment to empowering those who feel marginalised and excluded, for Gus John represents everything ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv strives to be.