Fashion icon and changemaker Eunice Olumide receives OU Honorary Degree

International supermodel, artist and activist Eunice Olumide is being awarded an Honorary Degree from The Open University (OU) in Scotland, in recognition of her trailblazing career and tireless work advocating for social justice, diversity, and eco-sustainability. 

The prestigious degree will be presented during this year’s OU degree ceremony at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, which also marks 50th anniversary of the first OU graduation in Scotland, a milestone event celebrating decades of accessible education. Eunice’s contributions to British arts and culture, as well as her dedication to key social issues, make her a fitting honouree for this special occasion. 

The OU is dedicated to excellence, equity and inclusivity and for me that goes to the absolute core of all of my work throughout my life.”
Eunice Olumide MBE

Reflecting on the honorary degree award, Eunice said: “It’s an incredible honour to receive this recognition from The Open University, especially on such a significant occasion. The OU is dedicated to excellence, equity and inclusivity and for me that goes to the absolute core of all of my work throughout my life particularly in the fields of social justice and indeed in terms of suitability. It is imperative that we continue to create safe spaces for people of all backgrounds, ethnicities and classes.”   

Lurraine Jones, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Open University, who presents the award, highlights Olumide’s extraordinary journey: “Eunice Olumide is one of the most influential figures in British arts and culture. Her journey from growing up in a council estate to becoming an international supermodel has given her a unique perspective on race, class, tenacity and success.”  
 
“Eunice has consistently used her public profile to champion the causes which are closest to her heart and we are delighted to honour her extraordinary and trailblazing life, career and personal endeavours, and recognise her efforts to promote social justice and diversity within British arts, culture and fashion. Eunice, you are your ancestors’ wildest dreams.”  

Born in Edinburgh to Nigerian parents, and scouted aged 15 while shopping in Glasgow, Eunice Olumide has modelled for advertising campaigns all over the world. She has walked for iconic couture brands including Alexander McQueen and Prada, and has featured in prestigious magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Glamour. 

Her eclectic career spans not only the catwalk but also art curation, filmmaking, acting, presenting, and environmental activism, and Eunice has made a lasting mark on many industries. She is an author, DJ, stand-up comedian who has used her platform to advocate for Black voices in the arts, as well as a campaigner for sustainable fashion and ambassador for Zero Waste Scotland.  

In 2017, she was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting, the arts, and charity, an honour she later donated to the National Museum of Scotland in order to spark conversations about the legacies of empire and to share her personal story with the world. 

The Open University also recognises Eunice’s work with Next Generation Regeneration, a project she co-founded in the wake of the Windrush scandal to celebrate the contributions of the Windrush generation, which has been marked by events at Tate Britain and London Fashion Week. 

Most recently, she has produced and directed her first film, the much-praised documentary ‘Secret Lives: The Untold Story of British Hip Hop’.  

The Open University is proud to honour Eunice Olumide for her remarkable achievements and her unwavering commitment to the causes closest to her heart. 

25 November 2024