the team
Hope Oloye
Founder and Chair
Hope founded the Afro-Caribbean Tyler (ACT) Prize, the predecessor to Thinking Black, while completing her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at Pembroke College, Oxford. During a year at New York University, Hope developed a vision of multiple radical programmes, engaging students at all stages of secondary school. In 2020, she launched Thinking Black to preside over this suite of programmes, leading the organisation and all its activity.
Alongside running Thinking Black, Hope is pursuing a PhD at University College London; her research is within the cross-disciplinary study of brain and behaviour in the real world, and is funded by the Leverhulme Trust.
Victor Ajuwon
Vice Chair
Victor was a founding member of the ACT Essay Prize, providing expertise and support whilst completing his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at Merton College, Oxford. Alongside co-directing the Thinking Black organisation and all its programmes, he is pursuing a PhD in Animal Cognition at the University of Oxford, funded by the BBSRC.
Ebubechi Amanda Okpalugo
Head of Communications
Ebubechi was a member of the initial ACT Essay Prize team, as a mentor, workshop leader and social media coordinator whilst completing her undergraduate degree in Medical Sciences at Pembroke College, Oxford.
As well as being in charge of the outwards facing aspect of Thinking Black, she is completing her medical degree at Oxford University, and acts as the Deputy Editor of Onyx Magazine for budding Black writers and creatives.
the executive team
Hope Oloye
Founder and Chair
Hope founded the African Caribbean Tyler (ACT) Prize, the predecessor to Thinking Black, while completing her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at Pembroke College, Oxford. During a year at New York University, Hope developed a vision of multiple radical programmes, engaging students at all stages of secondary school. In 2020, she launched Thinking Black to preside over this suite of programmes, leading the organisation and all its activity.
Alongside running Thinking Black, Hope is pursuing a PhD at University College London; her research is within the cross-disciplinary study of brain and behaviour in the real world, and is funded by the Leverhulme Trust.
Ephraim Conteh
Treasurer
Ephraim previously served as senior coordinator and mentor coordinator on the initial ACT essay prize team, during the completion of his undergraduate degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Worcester College, Oxford. Whilst studying for the Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP Law School, Ephraim now serves as the treasurer of Thinking Black, overseeing the long-term and short-term budgetary and financial management goals of the organisation.
Georgina Ramsay
Secretary
Georgina was a mentor for the initial ACT Essay Prize Team whilst completing her undergraduate degree in English and French at The Queen’s College, Oxford. Alongside facilitating Thinking Black's external communications and internal administration, Georgina is pursuing a MA in Comparative Literature and Critical Theories at the University of Birmingham.
Ebubechi Amanda Okpalugo
Facilitator Liason
Ebubechi was a member of the initial ACT Essay Prize team, as a mentor, workshop leader and social media coordinator whilst completing her undergraduate degree in Medical Sciences at Pembroke College, Oxford.
As well as hiring and managing a team of lecturers and seminar leaders for Thinking Black, she is completing her medical degree at Oxford University and acts as the Deputy Editor of Onyx Magazine for budding Black writers and creatives.
Ava Scott
Student Liason
Ava mediates the circulation of resources and materials with our students. After completing her degree in Human Sciences at Hertford College, Oxford, she joined Beauhurst and immersed herself in the world of British equity investment and venture capital. In October 2020, she will start a PhD at UCL in the Ecological Study of the Brain, whilst continuing her work at Beauhurst.
Victor Ajuwon
Victor was a founding member of the ACT Essay Prize, providing expertise and support whilst completing his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at Merton College, Oxford. Alongside co-directing the Thinking Black organisation and all its programmes, he is pursuing a PhD in Animal Cognition at the University of Oxford, funded by the BBSRC.
Hope Oloye
Founder and Chair
Hopeoloye@thinkingblack.co.uk
Hope founded the African Caribbean Tyler (ACT) Prize, the predecessor to Thinking Black, while completing her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at Pembroke College, Oxford. During a year at New York University, Hope developed a vision of multiple radical programmes, engaging students at all stages of secondary school. In 2020, she launched Thinking Black to preside over this suite of programmes, leading the organisation and all its activity.
Alongside running Thinking Black, Hope is pursuing a PhD at University College London; her research is within the cross-disciplinary study of brain and behaviour in the real world, and is funded by the Leverhulme Trust.
Ephraim Conteh
Treasurer
Ephraim previously served as senior coordinator and mentor coordinator on the initial ACT essay prize team, during the completion of his undergraduate degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Worcester College, Oxford. Whilst studying for the Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP Law School, Ephraim now serves as the treasurer of Thinking Black, overseeing the long-term and short-term budgetary and financial management goals of the organisation.
Georgina Ramsay
Secretary
Georgina was a mentor for the initial ACT Essay Prize Team whilst completing her undergraduate degree in English and French at The Queen’s College, Oxford. Alongside facilitating Thinking Black's external communications and internal administration, Georgina is pursuing a MA in Comparative Literature and Critical Theories at the University of Birmingham.
Ebubechi Amanda Okpalugo
Facilitator Liason
Ebubechi was a member of the initial ACT Essay Prize team, as a mentor, workshop leader and social media coordinator whilst completing her undergraduate degree in Medical Sciences at Pembroke College, Oxford.
As well as hiring and managing a team of lecturers and seminar leaders for Thinking Black, she is completing her medical degree at Oxford University and acts as the Deputy Editor of Onyx Magazine for budding Black writers and creatives.
Ava Scott
Student Liason
Ava mediates the circulation of resources and materials with our students. After completing her degree in Human Sciences at Hertford College, Oxford, she joined Beauhurst and immersed herself in the world of British equity investment and venture capital. In October 2020, she will start a PhD at UCL in the Ecological Study of the Brain, whilst continuing her work at Beauhurst.
Victor Ajuwon
Victor was a founding member of the ACT Essay Prize, providing expertise and support whilst completing his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at Merton College, Oxford. Alongside co-directing the Thinking Black organisation and all its programmes, he is pursuing a PhD in Animal Cognition at the University of Oxford, funded by the BBSRC.
Hope Oloye
Founder and Director
Hopeoloye@thinkingblack.co.uk
Hope founded the African Caribbean Tyler (ACT) Prize, the predecessor to Thinking Black, while completing her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at Pembroke College, Oxford. During a year at New York University, Hope developed a vision of multiple radical programmes, engaging students at all stages of secondary school. In 2020, she launched Thinking Black to preside over this suite of programmes, leading the organisation and all its activity.
Alongside running Thinking Black, Hope is pursuing a PhD at University College London; her research is within the cross-disciplinary study of brain and behaviour in the real world, and is funded by the Leverhulme Trust.
Ephraim Conteh
Director of Finance
Ephraim previously served as senior coordinator and mentor coordinator on the initial ACT essay prize team, during the completion of his undergraduate degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Worcester College, Oxford. Whilst studying for the Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP Law School, Ephraim now serves as the treasurer of Thinking Black, overseeing the long-term and short-term budgetary and financial management goals of the organisation.
Victor Ajuwon
Director of Sponsorships
Victor was a founding member of the ACT Essay Prize, providing expertise and support whilst completing his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at Merton College, Oxford. Alongside co-directing the Thinking Black organisation and all its programmes, he is pursuing a PhD in Animal Cognition at the University of Oxford, funded by the BBSRC.
Ebubechi Amanda Okpalugo
Facilitator Liason
Ebubechi was a member of the initial ACT Essay Prize team, as a mentor, workshop leader and social media coordinator whilst completing her undergraduate degree in Medical Sciences at Pembroke College, Oxford.
As well as hiring and managing a team of lecturers and seminar leaders for Thinking Black, she is completing her medical degree at Oxford University and acts as the Deputy Editor of Onyx Magazine for budding Black writers and creatives.
Georgina Ramsay
Content Development Officer - Creative Writing
Georgina was a mentor for the initial ACT Essay Prize Team whilst completing her undergraduate degree in English and French at The Queen’s College, Oxford. Alongside facilitating Thinking Black's external communications and internal administration, Georgina is pursuing a MA in Comparative Literature and Critical Theories at the University of Birmingham.
Kami Jogee
Year 8 Art History Programme Coordinator
Kami Jogee is an MA History of Art graduate based in London. She is the designer of Thinking Black's Year 8 Art History Programme.
Largely inspired by her diverse African, Caribbean, British and Asian background, much of her research focuses on the intersection between art and postcolonial theory. The exclusionary white, male footprint of the art world and its perpetuation of racial and gendered stereotypes are key themes she unpicks in her work. Her master’s thesis examined Afrofuturism in the art of Chris Ofili and Black Audio Film Collective. In it, Kami was able to explore the cultural legacies of colonialism, identity and issues of representation against the backdrop of the cultural politics of the 1990’s.
Hope Oloye
Founder and Director
Hopeoloye@thinkingblack.co.uk
Hope founded the African Caribbean Tyler (ACT) Prize, the predecessor to Thinking Black, while completing her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at Pembroke College, Oxford. During a year at New York University, Hope developed a vision of multiple radical programmes, engaging students at all stages of secondary school. In 2020, she launched Thinking Black to preside over this suite of programmes, leading the organisation and all its activity.
Alongside running Thinking Black, Hope is pursuing a PhD at University College London; her research is within the cross-disciplinary study of brain and behaviour in the real world, and is funded by the Leverhulme Trust.
Ephraim Conteh
Treasurer
Ephraim previously served as senior coordinator and mentor coordinator on the initial ACT essay prize team, during the completion of his undergraduate degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Worcester College, Oxford. Whilst studying for the Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP Law School, Ephraim now serves as the treasurer of Thinking Black, overseeing the long-term and short-term budgetary and financial management goals of the organisation.
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Emediong Jumbo
Digital Content Officer
Emediong was a mentor and discussion group leader for the 2020-21 ACT Essay Prize whilst completing her undergraduate degree in Global Health at Queen Mary, University of London. She is the student lead/founder of the Global Health Anti-racism subcommittee at her university, heading up work in curriculum development, pedagogy practices and decolonising the curriculum initiatives and on issues of inclusion and diversity in higher education. She will be working as the Junior Digital Content Officer to help drive awareness of our work on our digital channels and increase engagement across potential individual donors and students on our programme.
Tumi Mary Ogundamisi
Facilitator Liason & Content Development Officer
recruitment@thinkingblack.co.uk
Tumi is an undergraduate student at St Hildas College, Oxford studying psychology and linguistics. Whilst applying for Oxford, Tumi was a participant in the ACTyler Prize and now is involved in several initiatives surrounding access including work with mental health charity States of Mind looking at educational inequality as well as access work within the Oxford ACS. She will be working with the content development team to help produce resources for future programmes and hire lecturers and workshop leaders to deliver interdisciplinary programmes.
Elizabeth Oladunni
Senior Content Development Officer
Elizabeth served as a mentor on the initial ACT essay prize team whilst completing her undergraduate degree in History and Politics at Pembroke College, Oxford. Since graduating, she has completed a Graduate Diploma in Law, and is now doing her Legal Practice Course. She is due to commence a training contract at a law firm in London this September.
Elizabeth is particularly interested in African history and politics, and her undergraduate thesis focused on the intersection between gender and nationalism. Alongside that, she is also fascinated by African-American history, and a part of her undergraduate study was focused on the role of women and the black church in shaping the Civil Rights Movement.
Elizabeth will be developing and teaching on Thinking Black’s Essay, Creative Writing and Public Speaking Prizes.
Georgina Ramsay
Content Development Officer - Creative Writing
Georgina was a mentor for the initial ACT Essay Prize Team whilst completing her undergraduate degree in English and French at The Queen’s College, Oxford. Alongside developing Thinking Black's creative writing programmes, Georgina is pursuing a MA in Comparative Literature and Critical Theories at the University of Birmingham.
Kami Jogee
Art History Programme Coordinator
Kami Jogee is an MA History of Art graduate based in London. She is the designer of Thinking Black's Year 8 Art History Programme.
Largely inspired by her diverse African, Caribbean, British and Asian background, much of her research focuses on the intersection between art and postcolonial theory. The exclusionary white, male footprint of the art world and its perpetuation of racial and gendered stereotypes are key themes she unpicks in her work. Her master’s thesis examined Afrofuturism in the art of Chris Ofili and Black Audio Film Collective. In it, Kami was able to explore the cultural legacies of colonialism, identity and issues of representation against the backdrop of the cultural politics of the 1990’s.
Ava Scott
Copywriter
Ava designs and edits Thinking Black's promotional material. After completing her degree in Human Sciences at Hertford College, Oxford, she joined Beauhurst and immersed herself in the world of British equity investment and venture capital. In October 2020, she will start a PhD at UCL in the Ecological Study of the Brain, whilst continuing her work at Beauhurst.
Victor Ajuwon
Programme Consultant
Victor was a founding member of the ACT Essay Prize, providing expertise and support whilst completing his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at Merton College, Oxford. Alongside co-directing the Thinking Black organisation and all its programmes, he is pursuing a PhD in Animal Cognition at the University of Oxford, funded by the BBSRC.
Ebubechi Amanda Okpalugo
Programme Consultant
Ebubechi was a member of the initial ACT Essay Prize team, as a mentor, workshop leader, and social media coordinator whilst completing her undergraduate degree in Medical Sciences at Pembroke College, Oxford.
As well as advising on Thinking Black's programme content and development, she is completing her medical degree at Oxford University and acts as the Deputy Editor of Onyx Magazine for budding Black writers and creatives.
mentors and volunteers
Our mentors are central to Thinking Black's vision.
Over the last two years we have recruited and trained over 100 undergraduate students to deliver our radical programmes of Black thought and scholarship. The mentors provide dedicated tutorial sessions to each participating student, where the participants' ideas, argument, and writing are guided and honed.
These processes of feedback and dialogue centre students' voices; Thinking Black is proud to offer these tutorials, which are key to an Oxbridge education but seldom inclusive to all students.