Caribbean
Closing the Gap: How the Caribbean Scholars Foundation Is Supporting Black-British Caribbean Students
TiketCaribbean Team
March 10, 2026
5 min read
Closing the Gap: How the Caribbean Scholars Foundation Is Supporting Black-British Caribbean Students
For many Caribbean families in the UK, education has always been seen as the pathway to opportunity. Yet for decades, Black-British Caribbean students have faced persistent attainment gaps within the British education system.
The Caribbean Scholars Foundation was created to confront that reality directly.
Founded by Riann Cato, the UK-based organisation focuses on mentoring, career exposure, and academic support specifically for students of Caribbean heritage. Their mission is simple but urgent: close the attainment gap and help more Caribbean students see themselves in universities and professional careers.
A Realisation at University
Cato started the foundation during her first year at the University of Warwick. Like many students arriving on campus for the first time, she quickly noticed something that did not sit right.
There were very few students from Caribbean backgrounds in lecture halls, societies, and career pipelines.
At the same time, she became frustrated by how Caribbean students were often grouped into broader "Black" statistics. While solidarity across the wider community is important, that grouping sometimes hides the specific educational challenges Caribbean students face in the UK.
Instead of waiting for change, Cato decided to build something herself.
Early Impact
The Caribbean Scholars Foundation launched its first mentoring programme in late 2020 with a small cohort of around ten students.
The results were powerful.
Every student in that first cohort received a university offer. More than 70 percent secured places at top institutions including the University of Cambridge, the University of Warwick, the Queen Mary University of London, and the University of Birmingham.
Students also reported something just as important as the offers themselves: confidence.
All mentees who provided feedback recommended the programme and said it strengthened their belief in their academic ability.
Growing the Mission
Since that first cohort, the foundation has continued expanding its work. Programmes now include mentoring, career events, workshops, and cultural content aimed at supporting Caribbean students across their academic journey.
In 2026 the organisation launched its first A Level mentoring programme, supporting students at a critical stage before university.
The team will also be hosting a career workshop with the Caribbean Society at the University of Warwick, with plans for additional events later in the summer.
The Team Behind the Work
The foundation is supported by a small but committed leadership team.
Alongside founder Riann Cato, the organisation includes Caila Ryner, Head of Programme and Operations, and Sade Ajose, Educational Consultant.
Together they are building something that goes beyond mentoring sessions or one-off events. They are building a network that helps Caribbean students navigate spaces where they have historically been underrepresented.
A Community Effort
Education has always been a pillar in Caribbean communities around the world. Initiatives like the Caribbean Scholars Foundation are continuing that tradition by creating new pathways for the next generation.
And while the organisation is still growing, its message is already clear: when Caribbean students are given the right support, mentorship, and visibility, the results speak for themselves.
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