Kieron Buchanan

There is also a much deeper reason behind why I do the work that I do, and it goes beyond my own personal journey or ambitions. Growing up as a young Black Caribbean boy in Birmingham, I didn’t always see people who looked like me represented in positions of influence, leadership or authority within the school system. Positive representation matters, particularly for young people who are still discovering who they are, what they can achieve and where they belong in society. I understand what it can mean for a child to see someone who shares their background, understands their community and genuinely believes in their potential. I also understand that sometimes, all a young person needs is somebody who can show them that there are opportunities beyond the boundaries of what they might have previously imagined. That is something I want to be for the next generation. I don’t see myself doing this work solely for my own development or career progression. I see it as a responsibility to give something back to the communities that helped shape me. I want young Black and Caribbean children, particularly those growing up in areas where opportunities and representation can be limited, to see that there is a place for them in sport, education, leadership and beyond. I want them to know that their background should never determine the limits of their ambitions. I want them to see somebody who has come from a similar environment, experienced some of the same barriers and understands.