26 February 2026 
Tesni Carter, CUBO Communications Officer
Our first meeting of the CUBO Black Professionals Network marked an exciting and meaningful moment. It brought colleagues together to begin shaping a space centred on connection, visibility and empowerment, and the atmosphere made clear just how important it is for Black professionals to have opportunities to connect, collaborate and thrive.
The Network was created to give colleagues of Black heritage a dedicated space to share experiences and shape meaningful change across professional and campus services. This first meeting brought that purpose to life and helped us start building a community grounded in belonging, visibility and progression.
When Melissa, Chair of CUBO’s Executive Board, opened the meeting with “Make your voices be heard” it set the tone instantly. This wasn’t just another meeting. It felt like the beginning of something we’ve needed for a long time, a place where Black professionals can speak openly and feel part of a wider community across Higher Education.
Why This Network Matters
Across the sector, many of us know what it’s like to walk into rooms where we’re the only Black person present. Even when we’re confident in our work, it can feel isolating. My experience attending the first Living Black at University Conference, where there were many attendees of Black heritage, reminded me how powerful it is when that’s not the case. It showed what happens when connection comes naturally and without hesitation.
This network gives us space to build those connections beyond one off events.
A Space for Open, Honest Conversation
From the start, we agreed this would not just be a safe space but a brave one. Somewhere people feel able to talk honestly about their experiences and challenges, including the things that don’t always feel easy to say in the workplace.
That bravery is supported by simple principles: we listen to one another, we respect each other’s stories, and we keep what’s shared in confidence. Allies will be involved , but the heart of this space is centred on Black identity and lived experience.
What We Want to Achieve Together
In the meeting, we shared three areas that we feel are important for this network to focus on:
• Belonging
Creating a community where Black professionals feel valued, understood and able to speak openly, without needing to justify their experiences.
• Visibility
Ensuring more Black colleagues are represented across the sector, at conferences, on panels, and in discussions where our expertise should be seen and heard.
• Progression
Supporting each other to grow, whether through mentoring, sharing opportunities, or having a space to talk through challenges with people who understand.
What Success Looks Like in Our First Year
As a group, we discussed what success would look like in our first year, and several shared hopes stood out. People wanted this network to become a consistent, trusted space, somewhere reliable, supportive, and steadily growing as more colleagues hear about it.
We also felt it was essential to develop a simple mission and strategy, so that everyone, including colleagues who may want to join in the future can understand what the network stands for and where it hopes to go.
Another collective priority was making opportunities easier to find. Too often, information moves in circles that not everyone has access to. If this network can help make sector opportunities more visible to Black professionals, that alone will make a meaningful difference.
Our Next Steps
We’ll now begin shaping the practical side of the network. That includes:
• regular peer forums
• developing opportunities for mentoring
• identifying ways for members to be more involved and visible
• and a couple of early wins to show what we can achieve together
We’ll also put an interim structure in place and open volunteer roles so members can help guide our direction. Meetings are likely to be bimonthly to keep things manageable but meaningful.
A Beginning We Can Build On
What we started in this meeting is more than a group. It’s a community. One that has been needed for a long time. There is so much talent and experience among Black professionals in Higher Education, and this network gives us a way to connect it, strengthen it, and help it grow.
I’m proud to chair this network, and I’m excited to see what we create together in the months ahead.
Carol Thomas
CUBO’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead and Chair of the Living Black at University Commission
Join the CUBO Black Professionals Network
If you are a Black professional working in Higher Education and would like to be part of this growing community, we’d love you to join us.
Our next meeting takes place on Wednesday 15 April, and new members are always welcome. Register for the next CUBO Black Professionals Network meeting.
If you have any questions about the Network then please contact us at contact@cubo.ac.uk.
