Black History Month: Q&A with I. Stephanie Boyce

The theme of Black History Month 2024 is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, so it’s an ideal time to showcase the success story of one RSA Fellow who grew up the daughter of Caribbean immigrants on a council estate in Buckinghamshire and became the first person of colour and Black president of the Law Society of England and Wales.

I. Stephanie Boyce (the ‘I’ is for ‘Ingrid’) ‘dreamed big’, became a solicitor and took on the Law Society presidency from March 2021 to October 2022 – just in time to face Brexit, the Covid 19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the death of the Queen. Making progress in the legal profession requires determination, persistence and resilience, she says, and there are still plenty of challenges to overcome.

We sat down with Stephanie to hear her story and discover how she acts as a role model to amplify Black and other voices and, in turn, help achieve social impact.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month is a momentous occasion to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of Black people and others to British society. It's a reminder that Black history is not just a part of the past – it's an integral and ongoing part of our nation's story.

We are soldiers and seafarers who fought in many wars. We answered the call to work in the hospitals and on transport and railway networks to rebuild this land. We’re students, professionals, politicians, businesspeople and athletes. Our contribution to this union has undoubtedly shaped British culture and the society we are today.

We stand on the shoulders of giants, the countless, nameless heroes and heroines who have gone before and who have marched for and continue to call for equality and justice for all of us. 

Black people have shaped British culture and the society we are today, and Black History Month is an opportunity to recognise those pioneers and trailblazers.

Who inspires you and what does courage mean to you?

Courage means becoming uncomfortable to become comfortable. It’s that old adage that it's always darkest before the dawn – and those uncomfortable periods make us stronger and prepare us for what is coming down the line. Every time I come up against an obstacle, I recognise that the sun is on its way.

I'm inspired by the many people who share a history of resilience and courage, and who demonstrate that unshakable determination in the face of adversity. It’s a history of individuals who have not only overcome obstacles but have soared to great heights, leaving an indelible mark on society. That’s individuals such as Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Junior, Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi. Because of them, we stand a little taller and we walk prouder.

Tell us about your personal and career journeys

I have travelled to this point with a steadfast determination and a belief in myself – a determination that the more they told me no, the more they told me I couldn't, the more I was determined that I could and I would.

My journey to becoming Law Society president was marked by persistence, resilience and a deep commitment to making a positive difference. It wasn’t a straightforward path, and the obstacles I faced along the way were numerous. But each one taught me a valuable lesson that shaped my leadership skills. 

I had to navigate my way around barriers, seen and unseen. I’m still having to do much of the same. There were times when I felt like an outsider, and overcoming the unspoken expectations and biases was a significant challenge. It took me four attempts to become deputy vice-president of The Law Society, and each time I didn’t succeed, it was disheartening. But I had to keep trying because each setback was an opportunity to reassess, gather more experience and come back stronger. 

So the journey has not been easy, but it was worth every challenge. The role has allowed me to amplify the voices of those who are often unheard and to advocate for the changes that I believe are necessary within the professions because I don't just confine it to the legal profession.

In the end, my journey to becoming Law Society president was not just about the destination, but it was about the whole journey as to how I got there, and what I've been doing afterwards. This is a young girl who was first-generation British, whose parents and grandparents came to this country. I grew up in a single-parent household on a council estate in Aylesbury, but I was dreaming big.

I continue to invest in a belief that your skills, aptitude and ability must be the determinants as to how far you can go in our society. Not your colour, race, religion or any other diverse characteristic. None of those things should matter. It should be about skills, ability and aptitude, and I will continue to work to ensure that we as a society are moving to that point.

How do you actively promote diversity and inclusion in your daily life, and how do you find time to amplify Black voices?

I role model, I'm visible and I've worked hard at remaining visible, going into spaces that others perhaps would not go into.

I think it's important to be a positive role model, so individuals can see it's possible, it can be done. Individuals told me that never in our lifetime did we think that we would see an ethnic minority woman become president of the Law Society.

I was thrown into the deep end six months earlier than I was scheduled to become president due to unforeseen circumstances. So I had less than two weeks’ notice in the middle of a pandemic, a lockdown. But I remained steadfast and was determined to lead with integrity.

Black history in the UK is replete with countless stories of achievement, resilience, and contributions that have shaped our nation in profound ways. But far too often, despite those many achievements, those stories remain untold – lost in our history, unrecognised, and even at times erased.

So it's my job, our job, to ensure that Black history remains at the forefront of our minds, that it's not forgotten. By raising my voice, and not just in October, but every day, every week and every month, I will, we will continue to amplify Black voices.

How did you become an RSA Fellow?

I came to know about the RSA, as I knew individuals who belonged to it. I was nominated by another RSA Fellow, Professor Sarah Chandler, Honorary KC and I am grateful to her.

How do you wish to inspire the next generation of social innovators?

I want people to remember me for being somebody who made a positive difference, and who led with impact, authenticity, humility, grace and kindness. Far too often, we've forgotten how to be kind to each other. One of my favourite quotes is: ‘In a world when we can be anything, be kind.’

I would like to be remembered as somebody who inspired people to reach for the stars and to never give up.

I. Stephanie Boyce FRSA is a solicitor, executive mentor, thought leader and commentator. She is an honorary professor of law at the Dixon Poon School of Law and a Fellow of King’s College London. 

If you’d like to find out more about Stephanie’s work, you can visit her website istephanieboyce.com.

Stephanie is also a member of the RSA online Fellowship community. If you're a Fellow, you can connect with her on Circle.