FIRSTS

WESTMINSTER ABBEY

In 2013, Mariama was appointed as Queen’s Almsman by Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II to serve at Westminster Abbey. She was the first female Almsman since the role was created over 650 years ago and held the post for seven years. Mariama is also the first black priest to have a parish role in Westminster (Two Cities Area).

ST JAMES’S PICCADILLY

In 2023, Mariama co-founded the St James’s Changemakers with the Rev’d Lucy Winkett, a leadership programme for young people under the age of 30. The programme launched at St James’s Palace in November of that year. The generous host of the event was HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and Sir Trevor MacDonald chaired the panel discussion. Fundraising for the programme continues with the hope that it will accept its first cohort in 2024/25.

CITY OF LONDON

Mariama was the first black senior leader of a Great Twelve Livery Company, appointed in 2020, and was a role she held for four years.

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

In 2024, Mariama was the appointed Chaplain at the University of Oxford. She is told that she is the first black Chaplain to hold a formal role at the University in its 900+ year history.

Mariama serves with integrity and is committed to the Nolan Principles.