Lola Young became one of the first Black Women members of the House of Lords in 2004.
She studied at the New College of Speech and Drama and worked as an actress before becoming Professor of Cultural Studies at Middlesex University.
Later, she worked in arts administration and received an OBE in 2001.
Today, she’s an active campaigner against modern slavery and unethical fashion. She is also Chancellor of the University of Nottingham.
Photo by Janie Airey
“What if?” is something adults wonder all the time. What if I’d taken this job but not that one? What if I’d moved abroad instead of staying here? What if I’d stayed with my first love?
At least when it comes to life’s major decisions, grown-ups have had the luxury of choice. How different it is for children – and above all those children who find themselves in the care system. These youngsters have life-changing decisions imposed upon them which will affect the rest of their lives.
Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey was brought up in foster care. In this keynote, she’ll draw on memory, conversations and official records to ponder the challenges of trying not to wonder how her life might have turned out had she been dealt a different hand.
Instead, joyfully, she will be celebrating where she has ended up.
