Buckinghamshire New University awards English singer and songwriter and Little Mix’s very own Leigh-Anne Pinnock with an Honorary Doctorate in the Arts!
A flash mob danced to her debut solo single, “Don’t Say Love,” in welcoming her to the campus and celebrating her award. Pinnock shares that growing up walking past the campus a million times made her curious about what was being studied and taught at the university, but never had she imagined she will be there receiving an honorary doctorate.
The 31-year-old star is recognized for her successful musical career both as a solo artist and with Little Mix but as well as for her active campaign for racial equality and anti-racism, particularly with her contribution as a co-founder of “The Black Fund” charity. They support organizations that are “shaping, changing, and supporting the lives of the black community in the UK.” Moreover, to quote Pinnock, they envision “A world with real equality would look past what we are, and focus on who we are.”
Growing up and having been the only black member of Little Mix, Pinnock was subjected to a lot of racism. During the height of the “Black Lives Matter” in 2020 following the unfortunate incident of George Floyd, she made sure to speak up about the issue—sending her condolences to George Floyd’s family, and all other families affected by police brutality and addressing inequality, especially in the music industry. She shares, “There comes a point in every Black human’s life, no matter how much money you have or what you have achieved, you realize that racism does not exclude you.” Pinnock also adds her experience in joining Little Mix, “Nine years ago, when I joined Little Mix, I had the biggest awakening of my life. When we were filming ‘Wings’ [I was told] ‘You are the Black girl, you have to work 10 times harder.” She shared more about her experiences in her 2021 TV documentary Leigh Anne: Race, Pop & Power.
Beyond music, Pinnock recognizes that she holds an important role in campaigning for racial equality and anti-racism. The university chancellor Jay Blades who has known Pinnock for almost 20 years says she “uses her platform for the good of society and has never forgotten her roots.” Vice-chancellor, Professor Nick Braisby also mentions that the doctorate Pinnock received celebrates her “remarkable achievements and her embodiment of the values of equality, community, and compassion, values that reflect what we represent.” Also noting that “She reminds us that our voices matter and that we have the power to create positive change in our communities.”
Other POP! stories that you might like:
J-pop idol Shinjiro Atae’s coming out is pivotal for LGBTQ+ representation in Japan
Actor with dwarfism slams Hugh Grant’s ‘Oompa Loompa’ casting in ‘Wonka’
Harry Styles celebrates the end of ‘Love on Tour’ with new song and heartfelt message
‘I am stable. I’m calmer’: Cara Delevingne opens up about her sobriety journey
AlDub nation on Arjo-Maine wedding: ‘That’s Maine Mendoza’s clone’
