Jessikah Inaba - Seen Exhibition Audio Description
Aug 19, 11:13 AM
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About Jessikah Inaba:
Jessikah Inaba was born and raised in Lewisham, South London, with bilateral microphthalmia and is completely blind as a result. On 13 October 2022, she was called to the Bar of England and Wales, becoming the first Black and blind barrister in the country’s history.
Her academic work spans two doctoral research projects: the treatment of Black and low-income families within English family law, and the experiences of Congolese refugees in African refugee camps and their reception in host countries globally. Jessikah is also the founder and managing director of Realeyesation, an organisation that promotes blindness awareness and inclusion.
Jessikah’s reflections on Seen
“The portrait was taken in Middle Temple Hall, the very place where I was called to the Bar of England and Wales on 13 October 2022. As a member of Middle Temple, the location holds deep personal and professional significance for me. Standing in that space as the first Black and blind barrister felt like a powerful moment of contrast and progress.
I hope visitors leave the exhibition feeling inspired and challenged in equal measure. I want them to see that blindness – or any form of disability – does not diminish a person’s ability to achieve and contribute meaningfully to society. Ultimately, I want people to leave with a renewed sense of possibility: to recognise that diversity strengthens every community, and to believe in their own capacity to break barriers and create change.”
For more information about the exhibition and to view more portraits by Joshua Bratt please visit www.rnib.org.uk/seen
Image shows: A portrait of Jessikah Inaba by Joshua Bratt.
Jessikah Inaba was born and raised in Lewisham, South London, with bilateral microphthalmia and is completely blind as a result. On 13 October 2022, she was called to the Bar of England and Wales, becoming the first Black and blind barrister in the country’s history.
Her academic work spans two doctoral research projects: the treatment of Black and low-income families within English family law, and the experiences of Congolese refugees in African refugee camps and their reception in host countries globally. Jessikah is also the founder and managing director of Realeyesation, an organisation that promotes blindness awareness and inclusion.
Jessikah’s reflections on Seen
“The portrait was taken in Middle Temple Hall, the very place where I was called to the Bar of England and Wales on 13 October 2022. As a member of Middle Temple, the location holds deep personal and professional significance for me. Standing in that space as the first Black and blind barrister felt like a powerful moment of contrast and progress.
I hope visitors leave the exhibition feeling inspired and challenged in equal measure. I want them to see that blindness – or any form of disability – does not diminish a person’s ability to achieve and contribute meaningfully to society. Ultimately, I want people to leave with a renewed sense of possibility: to recognise that diversity strengthens every community, and to believe in their own capacity to break barriers and create change.”
For more information about the exhibition and to view more portraits by Joshua Bratt please visit www.rnib.org.uk/seen
Image shows: A portrait of Jessikah Inaba by Joshua Bratt.