Birmingham broadcasting legend receives honorary doctorate

Birmingham broadcasting icon Marverine Cole has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Birmingham City University in recognition of her outstanding contribution to journalism, education and media diversity.

Marverine has reported for and presented on some of the UK’s most watched and listened-to broadcasters, including Sky News, Good Morning Britain, 5 News and the BBC.

She made history as one of the few Black women in the UK to read national TV news bulletins - helping to redefine who is seen and heard in British media. 

Accepting the award, Marverine used the moment to issue a powerful call to protect the future of journalism.

She said: "This honour reinforces why we must continue to support people committed to honest, rigorous journalism.

"Our industry is changing, and the range of stories being told has narrowed in some areas. Job losses have continued and the landscape looks very different—but journalism still has an important role to play."

Addressing graduating students, she added: "Do it. Follow your passion but do so with purpose. Journalism can still be a force for good.

"Go out there, take up space, use your voice and show the world why you're needed."

Marverine received her postgraduate diploma in Broadcast Journalism in 2003 from the University of Central England (now BCU). She later returned to the institution as Director of Undergraduate Journalism courses, a role she held from 2018 to 2022.

She added: "Without BCU, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

"Professor Diane Kemp supported me from day one of my studies through the harsh realities of the competitive media industry.

"That course changed my life. We were taught to be news reporters with integrity, how to use our voice and how to hold power to account.

"Studying and later teaching here allowed me to bring my ambition to life - and to prove to myself that I could help nurture the next generation of journalists into meaningful employment."

Marverine is also a founding board member of BCU’s Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, which launched in 2020.

She said: “For Sir Lenny to establish a research centre in my city, focused on issues I’d spent years working on, was simply an opportunity too important to turn down."

Beyond journalism, Marverine continues to break barriers across media and the arts. She is Britain’s first Black female beer sommelier, a board member of Birmingham Royal Ballet, qualified life coach, and podcast producer.