Shanice and Skylar Nelson Adams: The future of Black leadership

This OBV eXpress tour, which has been travelling around the country to ensure BME communities are registering to vote was always going illuminate great stories, and historical moments, such as the collaboration with the British Chinese project which demands that the British Chinese are listened to by politicians.

But one story that is in many ways is writing itself, is the future of Black leadership. Over the last two weeks, two young women have epitomised a new generation of young Black leadership: Shanice and Lauren Adams. That these women stand out is not all together surprising. Their mother is Audrey Adams, one of OBV’s founders, and board member. 

What is special about these young women is their political maturity and above all ability to connect with a cynical youth.

On Tues for example, we were in Liverpool, around Lodge Lane; a largely Black and Yemeni community. When things got a bit quiet Shanice took the initiative to go into local shops, including hairdressers, barber shops and betting shops, and literally lead people out so that they came on the bus to register to vote. One man arrived on the bus with his hair half cut, said I’m doing my bit.

Shanice Adams, quickly became a modern day pied piper leading a community to be politically empowered.

And yesterday whilst we were at the Wolverhampton University a proactive Shanice entered the Uni common room and told students that it’s "important they have a political voice and that they should register to vote".

Most agreed, but one or two looked at her with a dismissive look. Shanice, returned to that group and said, ‘"Look, I’m not here to beg you to be empowered. You want to sit and do nothing, that’s down to you.”

With that they all got up and registered to vote.

As another trail of young peopole became registered, I looked at Shanice's mum, Audrey and smiled, she turned around to me and said: “Is this what you had in mind when you talked about succession planning? “

Indeed it is.

Simon Woolley

Banner picture: Shanice and Audrey Adams in China town Liverpool