Blog: Our Chancellor, a Black History Month icon
125 years ago, UoB’s legacy began, and a lot has changed since then. Now, in October 2025, we celebrate Black History Month (BHM) and recognise outstanding black professionals that have made an impact in their industries. We have one of such heroes here at UoB: our Chancellor Sandie Okoro.
What BHM means to me
Hi! I’m Danielle, a Ghanaian student currently studying Law. Since moving to the UK BHM has become even more important to me. I’m no longer the majority when I enter a room and have become increasingly aware of how I’m perceived by others, not only in my personal life, but in my corporate life.
BHM reminds me that I can succeed in spaces that historically haven’t been made to include me because there are many who have done it before me. The stories of these unsung heroes are my motivation.
This year’s theme broken down highlights the following:
- Resilience of the black community in fighting against bias
- Influence of the black community in effecting change
- Being unapologetically black
Three things that Sandie Okoro encapsulates.
About Sandie
Sandie Okoro graduated from UoB with a law and politics degree and went on to qualify as both a solicitor and barrister. After qualifying and noticing a development in the legal aspect of investment banking, she became an in-house lawyer at Schroders. At the time there weren’t many people in the field and even fewer black women, but she took the unsolicited stares and turned them into a spotlight, eventually becoming head of legal. She has worked with many top companies like HSBC, Standard Chartered, and the World Bank Group, cementing her place as a pioneer in the legal and financial sector.
Her achievements are especially impressive because this was during a time when succeeding as a black person in the corporate world was unheard of. Growing up she knew she had always wanted to work in the legal sector, but a teacher at school told her frankly that a black girl wouldn’t make it. This only made her want to prove the doubters wrong. Since then she has worked tirelessly as an advocate for equality in the workplace. She was even awarded the Order of the British Empire for her efforts in ensuring diversity in the financial sector.
How her story inspires me
Sandie Okoro’s journey to the top is proof for all minorities that success is possible. As a black woman studying law, seeing her prove the naysayers wrong and overcome the barriers intrinsically stacked against us in the legal sector fills me with both hope and pride. Hope that I too can do the same, when I enter the corporate world, and pride in seeing black excellence. Sandie Okoro did not just carve out a space for herself but built a doorway for people like me to enter.
“Black History month is a time to celebrate the uncelebrated – Sandie Okoro.”
Who do you want to celebrate this Black History Month?
Written by Student Content Shaper Danielle Mensah