Hello. My name is Catherine Chibuzo Anyanwu, and I am an MSc Digital Marketing and Channel Management student. I am the virtual Student Curator for this month’s theme: Colourism; being dark skinned and African is something I learnt to appreciate and embrace with great pride as it is makes me unique, gives me a distinct identity. 

I am, a pioneering young black woman whose melanin rich skin has a loving relationship with the sun. Growing up in Nigeria I was constantly teased and sometimes looked down on because of the colour of my skin and at some point, I considered skin bleaching, thinking it will make me feel more accepted and beautiful. But my mother looked at me one day and told me in Yoruba (Western Nigerian language): ‘Do you know how beautiful you are? Many would kill to be just like you and if I were you I wouldn’t change a thing!’ I looked at her and thought she’s just being a typical overly caring mum. Nevertheless, her words kept on ringing in my ears.

Along the way I am becoming more self-aware, learning to appreciate myself and the people around me. This theme is important to me because I want young girls and boys out there to love themselves more, what makes each and every one of us unique makes us exceptionally beautiful, see the beauty in being you!