Thanks for visiting my website. It’s designed to give you an insight into the issues that I care about and I am passionately involved in campaigning around on a daily basis.

The site will let you download all of the practical resources I have designed for Black students and anti-racism student activists. The site also gives you helpful information about upcoming events that you and fellow students can get involved with, or run in your own union, as well as lots of other information.

As always, if you need any help, advice or just an experienced student activist to share your ideas with, then please get in touch with me. I'm always available to help!

In unity,

Samaira

Who is Samaira?

 My name is Samaira and I am a 25-year-old who studied a BSC Sociology and Criminology degree at Manchester. In 2011 I became the first Black Muslim women to be elected a sabbatical officer at Manchester Met Students’ Union – one of Britain’s biggest unions. I have used this opportunity to inspire other students, especially Black students and women, by whole-heartedly pushing campaigns for:

• fair access for all to education (anti-cuts; anti-fees; supporting EMA, UK Uncut and Black Activists Rising Against the Cuts);
• equal opportunities for all Black, disabled, LGBT and women students (fair representation of Black and international students in NUS and students’ unions; support for students in SU and course rep elections; building strong Black clubs and societies; creating a new Black Students’ Officer post and new full time equal opportunities post on my union executive);
• protecting students against racism and fascism (no to racist scapegoating of asylum seekers, Islamophobia, or the BNP and EDL on our campus; yes to promoting inclusivity and celebrating multiculturalism – One Society Many Cultures, Unite Against Fascism, Love Music Hate Racism);
• fighting for international justice (climate change justice; stop exploitation of Africa’s natural resources; no war in Iran or Syria; troops out of Afghanistan; ending the occupation of Palestine and Kashmir).

 I'm also a grassroots activist and long-time supporter of strong Black representation and racial justice. I strongly believe the student movement should be led by students because we best understand our daily lives and experiences. I do not support non-students trying to tell us what we need or how we must feel! I have been at the forefront of serving Black students through the NUS Black Students’ Committee as an FE college student and as an HE university student. During this time I have:

• Fought for Black representation (ran campaigns/training for unions; wrote a briefing and supported students on how to stand, campaign and win elections);
• Campaigned for equality in education (enforced use of anonymous marking on all courses to ensure Black students weren’t discriminated because of their name; engaged in direct action to protest against cuts in EMA and the tripling of tuition fees which will deter Black students from FE and HE; organised a national ‘Move Your Money’ campaign to force bankers who caused the crisis to pay for their crimes).

My Experience
Vice President, Manchester Met University SU 2011-12
North West Unite Against Fascism Steering Group 2011-12
School Governor 2011-12
Oldham Youth Justice Board 2010-12
Student Ambassador (Aim Higher) 2010
NUS Conference Delegate 2007-12
NUS Black Students’ Committee 2006-12
Oldham Sixth Form FE College SU rep 2006-08