My name is Adebowale (Debo) Omole, and I currently work as a Digital Business Analyst at Swansea University. I moved to Swansea in early 2012, and since then, I’ve been actively involved in contributing to the local community. My wife, Derin, and I co-founded Twale Cuisine Ltd., which operated as Swansea’s only West African outdoor catering business from 2015 to 2023. Although our journey here has been marked by challenges, including employment barriers and financial difficulties related to our immigration status, we have remained dedicated to enriching the cultural and social landscape of Swansea. Despite the obstacles, I knew deep down that Swansea was home, and I was determined to contribute positively to the community that embraced and supported us.

Living in Swansea as a member of a minority ethnic community has come with its share of challenges. My background as an Assistant Manager at a large property development company in Nigeria didn’t make securing employment in my field here any easier. Despite having an MBA from Swansea University, I was turned down for several roles in property or facilities management. The rejections were tough, especially as a father of three young children. It wasn’t that I lacked skills, experience, or the willingness to work; rather, it seemed that there were few opportunities for people like me. This experience highlighted cultural gaps and potential biases in the hiring process. To keep our family afloat, I took on any work I could find. Though our immigration status made us ineligible for government funding or unemployment benefits, we persevered. Our journey was complex, but it taught me resilience. Eventually, the idea for Twale Cuisine was born out of our determination to do something meaningful despite the odds.

One of my proudest achievements in Swansea is the success of Twale Cuisine Ltd., which provided the city’s only African catering service for a time. Beyond our business, I’ve been deeply involved in community leadership, serving as a former trustee of Swansea YMCA and a management committee member of Black History Wales Cymru. Additionally, I contributed an essay to the book “Cymru and I,” which sheds light on migrant experiences in Wales through the platform of Inclusive Journalism Wales. My mentoring experience with Rebecca Evans MS under the Welsh Government’s Diversity in Democracy Programme has been invaluable. I now use this experience to mentor young people in the community independently. These roles have allowed me to give back to the community and help others navigate the challenges I once faced.

My engagement with the local community extends beyond my professional work. I partner with local grassroots organisations whenever possible, offering mentorship and support to individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds. I also remain actively involved in various third-sector projects, providing occasional free meals and cash donations through our business. Additionally, I’ve used my connections from previous voluntary work to help others find employment and opportunities. I believe in the power of community and try to offer guidance and support to anyone whose path I cross, especially those struggling to adjust to life away from home.

To change attitudes towards diversity, inclusion, and racial equality, I believe it’s essential to be a positive force, even in challenging situations. By demonstrating the value we bring and being proactive, we can counter negative perceptions. For example, I secured a job through a referral only after I volunteered my time and demonstrated my abilities. Sharing our personal stories and the obstacles we’ve overcome is another powerful way to challenge stereotypes and promote understanding. By remaining open-minded, empathetic, and supportive of inclusivity initiatives, we can create more welcoming communities for everyone.

My advice to young people, especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds, is to embrace your unique identity and share your stories and perspectives without hesitation. Your voice is powerful, and it can inspire change. Engage with your community, whether through volunteering, joining local organisations, or participating in initiatives that align with your passions. Resilience and perseverance are crucial; despite the challenges, keep pursuing your goals and advocating for better representation.

We are currently pivoting Twale Cuisine into a consulting and training delivery business to meet unmet needs within the community. The details are still being finalised, but our aim is to help develop an economically vibrant and thriving generation of ethnic minorities in Swansea. We plan to partner with grassroots organisations to promote cultural understanding and community well-being. This new initiative will run alongside our ongoing mentorship and support for third-sector projects, as we remain committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive community in Swansea

Fy enw i yw Adebowale (Debo) Omole, ac ar hyn o bryd rwy’n gweithio fel Dadansoddwr Busnes Digidol ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe. Symudais i Abertawe yn gynnar yn 2012, ac ers hynny rwyf wedi bod yn ymwneud yn weithredol â chyfrannu at y gymuned leol. Gwnaeth fy ngwraig, Derin, a minnau gyd-sefydlu Twale Cuisine Ltd., a oedd yn gweithredu fel unig fusnes arlwyo awyr agored Gorllewin Affrica yn Abertawe rhwng 2015 a 2023. Er bod ein taith yma wedi’i nodi gan heriau, gan gynnwys rhwystrau cyflogaeth ac anawsterau ariannol yn ymwneud â’n statws mewnfudo, rydym wedi parhau i fod yn ymroddedig i gyfoethogi tirwedd ddiwylliannol a chymdeithasol Abertawe. Er gwaethaf y rhwystrau, roeddwn yn gwybod yn ddwfn mai Abertawe oedd ein cartref, ac roeddwn yn benderfynol o gyfrannu’n gadarnhaol at y gymuned a oedd yn ein cofleidio a’n cefnogi.

Mae byw yn Abertawe fel aelod o gymuned lleiafrifoedd ethnig wedi dod â’i siâr o heriau. Nid oedd fy nghefndir fel Rheolwr Cynorthwyol mewn cwmni datblygu eiddo mawr yn Nigeria yn ei gwneud hi’n haws sicrhau cyflogaeth yn fy maes yma. Er gwaethaf cael MBA o Brifysgol Abertawe, cefais fy ngwrthod am sawl rôl ym maes rheoli eiddo neu gyfleusterau. Roedd y gwrthodiadau yn galed, yn enwedig fel tad i dri o blant ifanc. Nid fy mod yn brin o sgiliau, profiad, na pharodrwydd i weithio; yn hytrach, roedd yn ymddangos mai prin oedd y cyfleoedd i bobl fel fi. Amlygodd y profiad hwn fylchau diwylliannol a thueddiadau posibl yn y broses llogi. Er mwyn cadw ein teulu i fynd, cymerais unrhyw waith y gallwn ddod o hyd iddo. Er bod ein statws mewnfudo yn ein gwneud yn anghymwys i gael cyllid gan y llywodraeth neu fudd-daliadau diweithdra, fe wnaethom ddyfalbarhau. Roedd ein taith yn gymhleth, ond dysgodd wydnwch i mi. Yn y pen draw, daeth y syniad ar gyfer Twale Cuisine i’r amlwg o’n penderfyniad i wneud rhywbeth ystyrlon er gwaethaf pob tebyg.

Un o’m llwyddiannau mwyaf balch yn Abertawe yw llwyddiant Twale Cuisine Ltd., a ddarparodd yr unig wasanaeth arlwyo Affricanaidd yn y ddinas am gyfnod. Y tu hwnt i’n busnes, rwyf wedi bod yn ymwneud yn fawr ag arweinyddiaeth gymunedol, gan wasanaethu fel cyn-ymddiriedolwr YMCA Abertawe ac aelod o bwyllgor rheoli Hanes Pobl Dduon Cymru. Yn ogystal, cyfrannais draethawd i’r gyfrol “Cymru and I” sy’n taflu goleuni ar brofiadau mudol yng Nghymru trwy lwyfan Newyddiaduraeth Gynhwysol Cymru. Mae fy mhrofiad mentora gyda Rebecca Evans AS o dan Raglen Amrywiaeth mewn Democratiaeth Llywodraeth Cymru wedi bod yn amhrisiadwy. Rwyf nawr yn defnyddio’r profiad hwn i fentora pobl ifanc yn y gymuned yn annibynnol. Mae’r rolau hyn wedi fy ngalluogi i roi rhywbeth yn ôl i’r gymuned a helpu eraill i lywio’r heriau a wynebais unwaith.

Mae fy ymgysylltiad â’r gymuned leol yn ymestyn y tu hwnt i’m gwaith proffesiynol. Rwy’n partneru â sefydliadau llawr gwlad lleol lle bynnag y bo modd, gan gynnig mentoriaeth a chefnogaeth i unigolion o gefndiroedd lleiafrifoedd ethnig. Rwyf hefyd yn parhau i gymryd rhan weithredol mewn amrywiol brosiectau trydydd sector, gan ddarparu prydau am ddim a rhoddion arian parod o bryd i’w gilydd trwy ein busnes. Yn ogystal, rwyf wedi defnyddio fy nghysylltiadau o waith gwirfoddol blaenorol i helpu eraill i ddod o hyd i waith a chyfleoedd. Rwy’n credu yng ngrym cymuned ac yn ceisio cynnig arweiniad a chefnogaeth i unrhyw un yr wyf yn ei groesi, yn enwedig y rhai sy’n ei chael hi’n anodd addasu i fywyd oddi cartref.

Er mwyn newid agweddau tuag at amrywiaeth, cynhwysiant, a chydraddoldeb hiliol, credaf ei bod yn hanfodol bod yn rym cadarnhaol, hyd yn oed mewn sefyllfaoedd heriol. Trwy ddangos y gwerth sydd gennym a bod yn rhagweithiol, gallwn wrthsefyll canfyddiadau negyddol. Er enghraifft, dim ond ar ôl i mi wirfoddoli fy amser a dangos fy ngalluoedd y cefais swydd trwy atgyfeiriad. Mae rhannu ein straeon personol a’r rhwystrau rydyn ni wedi’u goresgyn yn ffordd bwerus arall o herio stereoteipiau a hybu dealltwriaeth. Drwy barhau i fod â meddwl agored, empathetig, a chefnogol i fentrau cynhwysiant, gallwn greu cymunedau mwy croesawgar i bawb.

Fy nghyngor i bobl ifanc, yn enwedig y rhai o gefndiroedd lleiafrifoedd ethnig, yw cofleidio eich hunaniaeth unigryw a rhannu eich straeon a’ch safbwyntiau heb oedi. Mae eich llais yn bwerus, a gall ysbrydoli newid. Ymgysylltwch â’ch cymuned, boed hynny trwy wirfoddoli, ymuno â sefydliadau lleol, neu gymryd rhan mewn mentrau sy’n cyd-fynd â’ch diddordebau. Mae gwydnwch a dyfalbarhad yn hollbwysig; er gwaethaf yr heriau, daliwch ati i ddilyn eich nodau ac eiriolwch dros well cynrychiolaeth.

My name is Moomal Shah, and I come from an ethnic minority background with roots in Sindh, Pakistan, where I belong to a well-known literary family. I arrived in the UK in 2010 and settled in Swansea, a city with which I share a complex love-hate relationship. My early years were challenging, especially during my four-year struggle with the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI), where multiple applications were rejected before finally succeeding through the Immigration Tribunal. I took my time adjusting to life in Swansea, gradually integrating into the community and culture.

One of my main challenges was dealing with the UKVI system. Many have experienced unfair rejections, and I was one of them. In addition, job opportunities for ethnic minorities in Swansea have been limited, making it harder to establish a secure livelihood.

Since 2021, I have worked as a Community Engagement Officer with Race Council Cymru (RCC), promoting education, raising awareness, and advocating for equal opportunities for ethnic minorities. During the pandemic, I initiated a women-only group to support those in isolation and helplessness. I also led Welsh Government community engagement work on new legislation, such as the end of physical punishment of children and relationship and sexual education in Wales.

My advocacy extends to highlighting the cost-of-living crisis in disadvantaged communities, contributing to discussions on BBC Wales. I’ve also led engagement for the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales, focusing on women and ethnic minority girls. One of my proudest moments was meeting the Prince and Princess of Wales to discuss our project, which was well-received and appreciated.

I reach the community through personal networks and social media, welcoming everyone and assisting with their struggles. My engagement spans across various organisations, including Environment Centre Wales, National Trust UK, and Welsh Government. I promote Black History Wales in Swansea and Cardiff prisons and have represented RCC’s work in the Houses of Parliament. I also engage with the Refugee Council and Swansea Council and have started a men’s group to support isolated men.

My message is simple: “We are one—stand together and be included.”

My advice for young people is to take advantage of opportunities to express themselves and engage with their communities. For example, the Digital Culture Exchange project allowed young participants to interview each other and share their experiences. I encourage young people to take risks and step forward, as doing so can lead to significant personal and professional growth.

Currently, I am involved in the HarMINDise mental health initiative, which focuses on resilience and system change. Additionally, I am working on a Wales for Africa application to support young people in Eswatini in leading agricultural projects. This initiative aims to foster cultural exchange with the African Community Centre in Swansea. I am planning fundraising efforts to support this project, with the hope of creating meaningful connections and mutual benefits for both communities.

Fy enw i yw Moomal Shah, ac rwy’n dod o gefndir ethnig lleiafrifol gyda gwreiddiau yn Sindh, Pacistan, lle rwy’n perthyn i deulu llenyddol adnabyddus. Cyrhaeddais y DU yn 2010 ac ymgartrefu yn Abertawe, dinas yr wyf yn rhannu perthynas garu-casineb gymhleth â hi. Roedd fy mlynyddoedd cynnar yn heriol, yn enwedig yn ystod fy mrwydr pedair blynedd gyda Fisa a Mewnfudo’r DU (UKVI), lle cafodd ceisiadau lluosog eu gwrthod cyn llwyddo’n derfynol drwy’r Tribiwnlys Mewnfudo. Cymerais fy amser yn addasu i fywyd yn Abertawe, gan integreiddio’n raddol i’r gymuned a’r diwylliant.

Un o fy mhrif heriau oedd ymdrin â system UKVI. Mae llawer wedi profi gwrthodiadau annheg, ac roeddwn i’n un ohonyn nhw. Yn ogystal, mae cyfleoedd gwaith ar gyfer lleiafrifoedd ethnig yn Abertawe wedi bod yn gyfyngedig, gan ei gwneud yn anos sefydlu bywoliaeth ddiogel.

Ers 2021, rwyf wedi gweithio fel Swyddog Ymgysylltu Cymunedol gyda Race Council Cymru (RCC), gan hyrwyddo addysg, codi ymwybyddiaeth, ac eirioli dros gyfle cyfartal i leiafrifoedd ethnig. Yn ystod y pandemig, cychwynnais grŵp menywod yn unig i gefnogi’r rhai sydd wedi’u hynysu ac yn ddiymadferth. Fe wnes i hefyd arwain gwaith ymgysylltu cymunedol Llywodraeth Cymru ar ddeddfwriaeth newydd, megis diwedd cosbi plant yn gorfforol ac addysg perthnasoedd a rhywiol yng Nghymru.

Mae fy eiriolaeth yn ymestyn i dynnu sylw at yr argyfwng costau byw mewn cymunedau difreintiedig, gan gyfrannu at drafodaethau ar BBC Cymru. Rwyf hefyd wedi arwain ymgysylltiad ar gyfer y Comisiwn Annibynnol ar Ddyfodol Cyfansoddiadol Cymru, gan ganolbwyntio ar fenywod a merched o leiafrifoedd ethnig. Un o’r adegau mwyaf balch oedd cyfarfod â Thywysog a Thywysoges Cymru i drafod ein prosiect, a gafodd ei groesawi a’i werthfawrogi.

Rwy’n cysylltu â’r gymuned trwy rwydweithiau personol a chyfryngau cymdeithasol, gan groesawu pawb a chynorthwyo gyda’u brwydrau.  Mae fy ymgysylltiad yn rhychwantu sefydliadau amrywiol, gan gynnwys Canolfan Amgylchedd Cymru, Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol y DU, a Llywodraeth Cymru. Rwy’n hyrwyddo Hanes Pobl Dduon Cymru yng ngharchardai Abertawe a Chaerdydd ac wedi cynrychioli gwaith RCC yn y Senedd. Rwyf hefyd yn ymgysylltu â Chyngor y Ffoaduriaid a Chyngor Abertawe ac wedi dechrau grŵp dynion i gefnogi dynion ynysig.

Mae fy neges yn syml: “Rydym yn un – gadewch i ni sefyll gyda’n gilydd a chael ein cynnwys.”

Mae cenhedlaeth heddiw yn dalentog. Fy neges yw dewch â’ch talent atom, a byddwn yn eich helpu i’w harddangos i’r byd.