LJMU partners with LCR Race Equality Hub on transformative reciprocal mentoring
80 individuals taking part in Reciprocal Mentoring Programme
Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is working in close partnership with the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Combined Authority Race Equality Hub to deliver a pioneering Reciprocal Mentoring Programme aimed at strengthening race equality across the region.
The year-long initiative pairs 40 senior White leaders from across public, private, and voluntary sectors with 40 Black and ethnically diverse professionals in meaningful, two-way mentoring partnerships. Led by LJMU’s Diversity and Inclusion team and Liverpool Business School, the programme creates space for honest conversations, shared learning, and mutual growth.
A session held at the university this month to mark the halfway point of the programme received positive feedback, with many participants explaining the experience is creating deep reflection, and greater accountability on issues of race, equity, and inclusion.
“This is about real change through real relationships,” said Moni Akinsanya, Associate Director of Diversity and Inclusion. “It’s not just a conversation - it’s about action."
Director of LCR Race Hub, Alison Navarro said:
“The Race Equality Hub are delighted to work with Moni, Yeni, Ola and the team at LJMU on this programme taking 80 leaders on a journey. Our partnership has enabled Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority leaders from across the region to advance their leadership opportunities, whilst equipping our White senior leaders with the insight and understanding to support us as allies to break ceilings. The programme, which is ongoing until December 2025, is already seeing fantastic outcomes and engagement on LinkedIn, and at a recent in person event at LJMU. We are really excited for the future.”
This programme has encouraged honest conversations that I might not have otherwise had. It’s deepened my awareness of the barriers faced by Black and ethnically diverse colleagues and strengthened my commitment to helping drive real, lasting change.
Executive Leadership Team member, LJMU’s Executive Director of Finance, Rob Molloy, who is also participating in the programme
Richard Kemp CBE Lord Mayor of Liverpool also on the programme said:
“I have really found the Reciprocal Mentoring Scheme to be extremely helpful in improving my understanding of the problems faced by Black women as they move forward with exciting ideas in our city.”
“Altogether there are eight participants from Liverpool City Council and as colleagues we have already begun to meet up, alongside the scheme, so that we can bring our experiences together, to improve some of the ways we provide support within the council."
Key members of the LJMU delivery team include Dr. Tunde Durowoju, Jonathan Britten, and Yeni Aqoari.
For more information about the programme, please email: InclusiveMentoring@ljmu.ac.uk
Reciprocal Mentoring at LJMU
The Reciprocal Mentoring Programme began more than five years ago at LJMU. Starting as an internal programme between senior leaders at the university and our Black students, LJMU recognised we needed to do something different that would transform the way our university understands and responds to the perspective of Black students who are part of our community.
The scheme then continued with LJMU’s Executive Leadership team being paired with Black Liverpool city leaders to share their lived experiences, to inform policy and decision-making at the university and beyond.
LJMU’s Diversity and Inclusion team has now taken the scheme beyond our campus, consulting and supporting the delivery of schemes across the city and the wider region.
Find out more about Reciprocal Mentoring.
