ACEN inaugural anti-racism conference at Dulwich College Sept 2021. From left to right – Dr. Shola Apena Rogers – Director ACEN | Professor David Olusoga | Aisha Sanusi – Director ACEN | Amber Brown Operations Manager – ACEN | Marcial Boo – CEO of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and ACEN Advisor | Lord Simon Woolley of Operation Black Vote, Cambridge and ACEN Patron
Team
Dr Shola Apena Rogers
DIRECTOR
Dr Shola Apena Rogers is a Chartered Forensic Psychologist, Lecturer at the University of Birmingham, and an experienced practitioner and researcher. She has worked within various contexts, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, the criminal justice system, Children’s Social Care, and schools. Shola has extensive experience in project management approaches and workforce development, delivering training to a range of professionals from teachers to practitioners and volunteers. As an experienced trainer, Shola’s areas of specialism are race and racism, young people’s mental health, and trauma-informed approaches.
Shola previously held the position of school governor in a primary school on the curriculum committee.
Shola heads school consultancy & training.
To get in touch, please email her here.
You can also connect with her here:
Twitter
LinkedIn
Aisha Sanusi
DIRECTOR
Aisha has a background in marketing and communications, with a particular focus on communication and content strategies for organisations operating in diverse/cross-cultural spaces.
In the past, she has worked with political and charitable organisations operating in the areas of race inequality/equity. Aisha currently sits on both the Mission 44 (a socioeconomic education charity founded by Lewis Hamilton) and education advisory board for the Black Equity Organisation (BEO).
Aisha is also the lead D&I Governor at St Paul’s school and Trustee at the Dunraven MAT.
Aisha heads partnerships, events, workplace consultancy/initiatives.
To get in touch, please email her here.
You can also connect with her here:
Twitter
LinkedIn
Amber Wager
NETWORK & OPERATIONS MANAGER
Amber Wager is a former IT business consultant with expertise in process re-engineering, data analysis and project management within the financial industry.
With the belief that leveraging the incredibly diverse and talented network within the black community is the key to rapid and sustained growth and prosperity, Amber is keen to build strong, mutually beneficial, member relationships within the ACEN collective. She wholeheartedly subscribes to the notion that it really does ‘take a village to raise a child’.
Amber has a passion for providing Black children with opportunities to fulfil their potential, with a focus on developing the ‘growth mindset’. In addition, Amber ardently encourages kidpreneurship and has personal experience of actively promoting these initiatives.
Amber is also a core member of a charitable group that raises money for children suffering with cancer.
Amber heads operations and management of the network.
To get in touch, please email her here.
You can also connect with her here:
LinkedIn
Serena deCordova
SCHOOL & SAFEGUARDING MANAGER
Serena is responsible for safeguarding and policy, bringing a breadth of knowledge about the independent school sector from both a parent and teacher perspective. Serena is a qualified teacher, who now runs her own education and consultancy business offering consultancy, tuition, and small group classes.
As a former Head of Inclusion and Enrichment at an independent school, Serena was responsible for managing the provision for children requiring additional academic ‘stretch’ and also for those children with barriers to their learning due to special educational needs.
Before joining the education sector, Serena enjoyed a decade working in not-for-profit organisations, championing children’s rights and racial equality.
Serena has an interest in children’s literature and is currently working on her first middle-grade novel.
Serena heads the 11+ preparation school & safeguarding.
To get in touch, please email her here.
You can also connect with her here:
LinkedIn
Justice Aina
STUDENT & RESEARCH MANAGER
Justice is an ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) studentship awarded PhD student, currently at the university of Durham.
Her thesis investigates the experience of Black students at private schools and focuses on identity development and positionally within these spaces.
She has been very active in discussions around race and schooling, especially concerning private schools, and was a founder of the ‘Black Girls’ Private School Community’
Justice is also currently an Inclusion Fellow at a Top London Independent school and is carrying out evaluation consultation for UNFPA (The United Nations Population Fund).
Justice leads research and ACEN’s Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG).
To get in touch, please email her here.
You can also connect with her here:
LinkedIn
