A trailblazing student who made history as one of the first recipients of Stormzy's life-changing Cambridge scholarship has now secured a prestigious role at a top-tier international law firm.
Lydia Abu, a first-generation university student, has landed a highly coveted training contract at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP after graduating with a law degree from the world-renowned University of Cambridge. Her journey from state school to the halls of one of the world's most elite universities was made possible by the grime artist's philanthropic initiative.
Breaking Barriers in Education
The Stormzy Scholarship, launched in 2018, covers tuition fees and provides a maintenance grant for two black students each year. It was established to address the underrepresentation of black students at Cambridge, where only 3% of undergraduates were black in the year the scholarship began.
Lydia's achievement is a powerful testament to the programme's success. "Being a first-generation student and the first person in my family to go to university, it was a massive thing for me to be able to go," she shared with the Mirror.
A Dream Realised
Lydia's path wasn't without its challenges. She revealed that the financial burden of attending university almost prevented her from accepting her place. "I remember getting into Cambridge and being so excited, but also being so worried about the finances," she confessed.
The scholarship didn't just alleviate financial stress; it provided a profound sense of belief. "It made me feel like I deserved to be there and I was meant to be there," Lydia stated, highlighting the immense psychological impact of the award.
Paving the Way for Others
Now, with a degree from Cambridge and a promising legal career ahead of her, Lydia is focused on her future at Akin Gump. Her story stands as an inspiring example of how targeted support can dismantle barriers and create pathways to success for underrepresented groups.
Her triumph is a resounding validation of Stormzy's commitment to social mobility and educational equality, proving that with the right opportunity, talent can flourish anywhere.
