UNIT*

"All the blood, sweat and tears that got me into that space was for noting. I was reduced to "who is this Black man? Is he a diversity hire?" Because I struggled to spell. I was dyslexic, but they never even considered it." – Daniel Oduntan

"Any comfort I've ever felt has always been temporary... constantly in modes of survival [...] I was raised by the neglected, who were raised by the neglected. I must experience healing." – Tanazia Gabriel-Fleary

"Too many times we feel like we have to shoehorn ourselves to fit into spaces, but that cookie-cutter approach does not work." – Alison Coward

"No two of us have the same neurodiversity. We have to create a data profile on how to fit into this world, and how to navigate space based on that. Don't let no one take you fi chips." – Chadwick Jackson

"Poverty affects postcode. Those who are poor often are forced to stay in the same place, and are sometimes displaced too. W don't move when we want to move. Inadequate state support prevents access. [...] A postcode isn't as important if I can pay for a taxi or catch a flight or do whatever is expensive because I have money [...] spatial inequality only matters to the poor." – Dr Patricia Noxolo

"ADHD is not about how well you do academically. In fact, having ADHD had me working very well under pressure, so exam season was lit [...]. Telling your Caribbean grandmother that you have ADHD – that you're a creative even! It's not easy." – Tanazia Gabriel-Fleary

"It's so important that we make ourselves sustainable. Too many times it feels like we're left recreating the wheel. We have to be documenting, archiving, organising..." – Daniel Oduntan

"These conversations must be had to build goodwill and trust. We are in danger of our collaborations becoming very transactional, but it's the relationship between those communications that strengthen the team [...]. Trust comes with people feeling like they can bring their full selves – both strengths and weaknesses to the table. That's where innovation comes from. [...] Most people need to feel safe to be challenged first." – Alison Coward

"It's useful to have a clear critique before we work on solutions. That's what I'd like the discussion to be about because so much of this is about mobility. [...] Think about capital and capitalism and how it works. It's a system of exploitation. [...] We can try and work within the system, but it's a very rotten one. I'm not trying to be a pessimist or anything but it's very hard. It's really about creating 'space', even when Capital threatens to appropriate it." – Dr Patricia Noxolo

"Everyone loves reminding us that Richard Branson is dyslexic, but what about the person who doesn't aspire to be a billionaire? What about the person who just wants a normal life?" – Chadwick Jackson