OBV graduates to stand for election

Jenni Steele, Waliur Rahman and Orlanzo Cole are three individuals who are  determined to make a change in their communities for the better.

All three are graduates of OBV empowerment programmes who are using their talent and learning in the quest to become local politicians.

Representation, or rather the lack of it, in the UK Parliament has undoubtedly led to apathy amongst Britain’s Black, Asian other minority ethnic communities, therefore the shadowing schemes pioneered by OBV has not only helped to tackle the representation issue, they have also presented individuals with leadership opportunities; so it is only right that we celebrate the achievements of Steele, Rahman and Cole, that  are so well deserved.

Waliur Rahman is the project manager of the Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations and the founder of the Bristol Active Youth Service. He shadowed Cllr Steven Williams on the Bristol Councillor Shadowing Scheme and is now running for Councillor as the Liberal Democrats candidate for the Ashley ward in his home town, Bristol.

‘Supermum’ or Jenni Steele as she is better known, is an inspiration to her community in Lewisham. Model, actress, fashion designer and office manager are just some of her job titles. However, her route into politics, like Rahman, was as a result of taking part in the Lewisham Civic Leadership Programme, and she is now standing for election as councillor for the Bellingham ward in  Lewisham.

Orlanzo Cole who took part in the Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme, is standing for election as councillor in Western Park Ward, Leicester. A strong presence in the fight for increased political literacy in the Afro-Caribbean community in Leicester, Cole’s participation in the scheme has inspired him to stand for election as part of a strong showing of Labour councillors in the city.

The individuals mentioned are a few among many graduates who have followed their passion to become political success stories in Westminster and around the country.

Their progress highlights the necessity for a continuing increase in ethnic minority politicians in the UK, as only then can we make British politics truly representative.

Mohand Nour

Main picture: Waliur Rahman