The conception of the Homerton Changemaker Prize was driven by the desire to acknowledge and commend Homerton students who have exhibited an exceptional commitment to effecting positive change for social causes during their tenure at the College. The inaugural Homerton Changemaker Prize laureates have exemplified Changemaker values within their communities, making significant strides toward positive impact.
Here are the esteemed winners of the inaugural Homerton Changemaker Prize:
Najib Sharifi
"I am deeply honoured to receive this award for the achievements of UniArk. The past three years have reinforced my belief that genuine change comes from the collective force of passion and action. That is why this prize is not mine alone, but a testament to the shared dedication and commitment of the UniArk team to making a difference. This prize serves as a stepping stone in taking UniArk further on its mission to create a meaningful impact in persecuted communities worldwide, one mentoring session and scholarship at a time."
During his time at Homerton College, Najib pioneered and supported numerous initiatives and projects within multiple communities, both within the college and beyond. Alongside Hardika Kukreja, he established "Speak-up Homerton," an open-mic-style safe space for individuals to engage in discussions about a diverse range of issues. Najib also founded the UniArk charity, supporting students from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds to study at elite universities in the UK and the US. With a team of over a dozen volunteers, UniArk has facilitated world-class education for several gifted students over the past few years.
Kate Lucas
"It was so exciting to find out I was one of the winners of the Changemakers prize, and I’m really looking forward to how I can build on this win to do more exciting things in the future."
Despite her relatively short time at Homerton, Kate has left a profound impact within her community, particularly in supporting and encouraging young women pursuing engineering degrees. As the Co-president of the Cambridge University Robotics Society, she organised a variety of outreach activities, including "Sparkbots," a program where she designed activities and built kits for robotics workshops in schools. Committed to fostering gender diversity in STEM, Kate has demonstrated exemplary leadership and innovation in all her STEM outreach efforts.
Lorena Piedrahita-Lopez
“I feel extremely grateful to be nominated for this award, but I wouldn’t be here where I am without the support from the community - to my friends and family who have always pushed me to do more and the Latin American community who remain invisible but helped shape me into the proud advocate I am today."
In every aspect of their life, Lorena continuously seizes opportunities to make the world a better place for those who inhabit it. In the HUS, Lorena built spaces of solidarity and celebration for students from marginalised ethnic communities, providing support for those who reported experiences of racism and advocating for anti-racism training for all college staff. In Homerton for Consent, Lorena facilitated conversations about sexual harassment in college, using her voice and experience to demand a safer college environment. Outside of college, Lorena works to improve representation and access for the Latin American community, collaborating with initiatives such as LatAm UK and the Colombian consulate to construct educational events for Colombian children and young adults in London.
Jesimiel Akinsuyi - Highly commended
Jesimiel has consistently demonstrated profound vision and passion for positive change within Homerton and beyond. As the Director of Marketing for the United Nations Association Youth Platform, she managed a team on a project that informed young people about current affairs to encourage political awareness. She also served as the Creative Director for the Black Creatives Festival 2023, developing a transformative space for art-making and promoting honest discussions on racial issues. Jesimiel has proven to be a dedicated ambassador of the Changemakers team, helping to promote events on social media and encouraging other students to participate and benefit from the program.
Homerton Changemakers express immense gratitude to the OBRIZUM group for sponsoring these prizes. Congratulations to all the recipients of the prize, who have undeniably demonstrated exceptional commitment to positive change and social impact.
