Throughout the pandemic, we have been highlighting how our incredible alumnae have had to adapt to the current challenges. This week we are focusing on Dame Alice Harpur School alumna, Gloria Onitiri (2002). Recognised as a gifted and versatile performer at school, Gloria admirably combined her studies whilst actively involved with the National Youth Music Theatre, going on to have a very successful career, both on the stage and in television. Some of her best-known work includes leading West End roles as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard, Nala in The Lion King and a Christmas Carol, to name just a few.

Unable to perform due to the global pandemic, lockdown presented Gloria with a time of self-reflection and creative opportunity. During this time, she also came across some poetry she had penned as her younger self, which along with the backdrop of the Black Lives’ Matter resurgence this Spring, inspired her creativity further. Coinciding with Black History Month, Gloria has launched a series of podcasts entitled, Letter to a Black Girl. Gloria interviews a number of inspirational professional black women, including Dawn Butler MP and actress Lorna Gayle, to share their life stories and experiences of being a black female.  Gloria is a warm and engaging interviewer and her gentle teasing in her questioning draws some candid revelations. Each woman is also asked to write a letter to their younger self – hence, Letter to a Black Girl. The interviews, and in turn the letters, are an illuminating and thought-provoking listen, with an emphasis on self-love, listen here.

We were delighted to welcome Gloria back into school as the guest speaker at the BGS Performing Arts Awards 2015, awarding colours to students for Music, Speech, Drama and Dance. Gloria wowed the audience with her breath-taking rendition of the Whitney Houston classic, One Moment in Time.