Ayo Bakare ran a very successful project called Multiple Heritage Voices here she reflects on her identity...

My name's Ayo, 23, born and bread in West Yorkshire and from a mixed race background. From a young age, growing up in a white working class area of Bradford - I was aware of my difference, and learnt quickly how to deal with people's assumptions. Frizzy hair and lanky, with images of beauty being blond hair and blue eyes, like any other pre-teeners, I always wanted to fit in!

From my teens onwards, I started to explore and embrace my Nigerian heritage, expanding my base of friends, and loved having a fluid identity and not having to fit into one box. My hair style changed on a weekly basis and it was great to start seeing more people on TV (mostly in music videos) that looked like me! I love my heritage, and have educated myself about my background and have a real pride when talking about my Northern, Nigerian, British, and working class identities.

My heritage has influenced my professional interests, I've worked for a race equality organisation, and led on a project working with young people to explore mixed heritage. I have also worked for a media organisation which helped young people from disadvantaged backgrounds raise their media experience.

And most recently work for an organisation to help women have more opportunities in non-traditional womens jobs. So all in all, mixed identity is existent for most people, no matter their background.

Personally, its an interface between my ethnicity, gender, class and geographic location and I am proud to fly that flag high at all times!!

Ayo Bakare