IBSOC Event

Marvin Rees was elected mayor in May 2016. On that day Bristol became the first major European city to have elected a mayor of black African heritage. He describes becoming mayor as another expression of a deeper commitment to building a fairer, more inclusive world. He is a Yale World Fellow and graduate of Operation Black Vote who has worked and studied in the UK and the US. He is a former BBC journalist, Public Health Worker, voluntary sector manager, co-founder of the City Leadership Programme and has developed the One City Plan for Bristol.

Jessie is passionate about social justice and equality. In her previous role with a leading anti-slavery organisation she managed office operations, developed key stakeholder relationships and delivered training. Jessie is a skilled event manager and speaker, and her work is motivated by her conviction of the value and dignity of every person. She will be undertaking a MSt in Social Innovation at the University of Cambridge this year.

After ordination, Dr Graham became Chaplain of Jesus College Oxford and a tutor at Wycliffe Hall. He completed a PhD on St Paul, Martin Luther and Blaise Pascal, and went on to teach Historical Theology at Wycliffe, where he was Vice Principal for 8 years. In 2005, he helped launch St Mellitus College and became its first Principal. Appointed Bishop of Kensington in 2015, he continues his links with St Mellitus as President. He is a contributor to The Times “Credo” column and author of several books. In 2019 he produced “The Social Legacy of Grenfell: an Agenda for Change” and is now Vice Chair of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Commission on Housing, Church and Community.

Rebecca has been involved in the provision of housing for many years having worked leading YMCA in South London for a number of years, and since founding LivShare (livshare.life), a housing consultancy company focused on assisting the design and delivery of affordable housing for people on low income by making use of a sharing economy. Rebecca is also a board trustee of Keychange and Faith in Action Merton Homeless Drop-in and an MSc student.