Black History Month Celebration

Please join the MTYBA and MTSA for another memorable Black History Month celebration.

This event is taking place during Black History Month to highlight and celebrate black achievement and also highlight and address struggle and racism.

Speakers (bios below):

• Professor Leslie Thomas KC
• Abimbola Johnson
• Stephen Levy
• Jessikah Inaba

Following the talks, there will be a Q&A and a performance by Tehillah Bicknell (singer) and Toby Peters (pianist).

There will be authentic African cuisine from Angel Catering and Caribean cuisine from Vibez Caribbean Restaurant and an oppurtunity to network.

Special thanks and mention to Sat Singh of The Renaissance Foundation.

Professor Leslie Thomas KC

Professor Leslie Thomas KC was appointed Gresham College Professor of Law in 2020, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience from his illustrious legal career. Specialising in claims against police and public authorities, as well as corporate bodies, Thomas' expertise spans a wide range of civil wrongs, civil litigation, human rights, data, and privacy claims. Before joining Gresham College, Thomas served as a joint Head of Chambers at Garden Court Chambers and continues to be an active Bencher to the Inner Temple, where he is Master of equality, diversity, and inclusivity (EDI). He holds positions on the board of the Bar Standards Board, the bar’s regulatory body, and is a member of the King's Counsel Appointments selection panel. He spent many years on the management committee of Liberty and is the former Chair of the Central London Law Centre.

Amibola Johnson

Abimbola Johnson is an award-winning human rights barrister who practises from Doughty Street Chambers. She was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in 2011. She chairs the Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board which is tasked with monitoring the progress of the National Police Race Action Plan which exists to eradicate anti-Black racism in policing.

Her board's annual report on the Race Action Plan can be downloaded here: https://www.policeisob.co.uk/annualreport.

Stephen Levy

Stephen is an accomplished creative professional with over two decades of experience. His abilities range from video production, graphic design to motion graphics and storytelling, and they have paved the way for his success. He has not only created and directed acclaimed short films that have won multiple awards worldwide, but he also won best overall film at the Birmingham Film Festival in the United Kingdom and best director at the International Christian Film Festival in the United States, for his film ‘Epiphany’. There will be a screening of his short film 'Death in Police Custody'.

Jessikah Inaba

Jessikah Inaba has made history by becoming the UK’s first blind and black female barrister in November 2022. Inaba has bilateral microphthalmia which effected her vision.

Jessikah, completed her law degree from Surrey, prepared her own Braille materials from lecture notes, or from friends who read books to her. Braille can be read on a special screen that usually gives one line at a time, or from specially printed books. However, she experienced significant delays at times in accessing the correct materials.

"I know I can do this job well, and the more people like me who go through training the easier it will become. I know I’m giving hope to others in similar situations.”

Tehillah Bicknell (singer): 

A levels were done at Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School, currently in my final year for Law with Business at University of Essex. Currently a Grade 6 Bassoon student at Redbridge Music School and a part of their Intermediate Orchestra and set to join the Symphony Orchestra. I’ve been singing in church since I was 5 and I am currently a praise and worship leader at Ruach City Church. My inspiration comes from Aretha Franklin and the Clark Sisters.

Toby Peters (Pianist): 

An ELAM college alumni and has been doing music professionally for the past 5 years and specialises in the bass guitar and piano. 

Students and transferring lawyers need to attend the whole event in order to claim a Qualifying Session.

Students/Hall Members/Benchers: Guests welcome, maximum 2 per member.

Members of other Inns and those invited by MTSA/MTYBA are also welcome. See the booking information.

Click here to see details of the QS Requirements and how to be credited with the QS for this session

Learning Aims:

After this session, students should be able to:

• Describe barriers to diversity and equality at the Bar.
• Describe the initiatives that promote inclusivity

Links to the Professional Statement, wider workings of the Bar, administration of justice or a public interest matter

• 1.1

Click here to view the BSB's Professional Statement

QS Feedback

If you have any feedback on a QS you have attended or have any suggestions for future sessions, please contact the education department on education@middletemple.org.uk

If you have questions about accessibility at the Inn or if you would like to request support, please email Laura Hacon.

The Inn is committed to improving access to all its services and encourages members to get in touch with suggestions and feedback on how we can improve. If you feel your experience using the website or attending one of our events could be improved, please email Laura. Your suggestions will be treated in the strictest confidence.