Shakira Martin
The Catalyst
Ideas with a spark, energy, range and the ability to start things.
Shakira Martin is the first black woman to serve as the president of the National Union of Students, and she emphasizes the importance of representation and accessibility in education. This interview reveals her energetic approach to leadership, focusing on listening to diverse experiences and driving impactful campaigns that resonate with students.
“So, I don't remember exactly word for word what it said, but it's like it seems like when you're black and you don't hate white people, it makes you unpopular. Look, there's bad people in every race, sexuality, gender, there's good people and bad people.”
“The way in which I will describe it is that I am elected and I have a mandate, so I was voted in by the students. However, I'm one individual and I haven't had seven million experiences. So for me, it's really important. And my slogan for last year was to listen, learn and lead, and to learn from different people's experiences.”
“Yeah, just not the best foundations in terms of a close family member was addicted to drugs. So that meant that I didn't have that stability, that information advice and guidance about Korea and about education. And actually, I used to be very embarrassed about it. Sometimes I still am.”
“And it's about options. I just want her to know that the well-dessert oyster. And the reason why I've set university as the top is because that's what society does. So I just want her to, I'm trying to get it into her head that this is the top where you can get.”
Political Thinking with Nick Robinson — The Shakira Martin One
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