I grew up in Woolwich, but my parents migrated here from Somalia. And we’re very close. Growing up I used to ask them so many questions. Things like, why do we have to do certain things in Islam? Where did my grandparents grow up? Which was really just my way of trying to make sense of the world. To figure out how I fit into the jigsaw puzzle of my life.
As I’ve grown, I’ve started to understand more. I’ve realised that identity is what allows us to connect with other people. Because I’m British I can connect with the British community. Because I’m black I can connect with the black community. I have a Somali and Yemeni background, which means I can connect to those backgrounds. But I’m also creative and curious and emotional, so I have a connection to people who are also those things. My identity simply allows me to be part of something larger.
Naomi's identity story
My dad died when I was four. My mum, she didn’t have a job. Growing up poor, you don’t feel like you have choices. But you do. We all do… Read story.
Moyinoluwa's identity story
I moved here from Nigeria when I was 14. So, I definitely have different levels of home. First there’s home, then there’s home home… Read story.
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