Jazz musician on how her three jobs go hand in hand

one of his assignments. After that, more and more students asked if they could photograph me for their projects.

“I haven’t encountered serious racism in modelling mo but there have been little things, like lik hairdressers who don’t know black people’s hair. I think stylists should be trained to tackle all hair types.”

Grace, who works for Intercultural Youth Scotland as an anti-racist pro-black education practitioner, works in Queen Anne’s High School in Dunfermline and Edinburgh’s James Gillespie’s High School.

The singer, who has an honours degree in biology, said: “I was studying to be a teacher but I put that on hold because I wanted to see real change and real conversations being had about racism in schools.

“There is a lack of understanding about what racism is. A lot of people think it is just namecalling or police brutality but it’s also the little things that are systemic in society and certain privileges we don’t have.

“There is still a long way to go when it comes to dealing with racism in schools but there is recognition that something needs to be done.

“As a mixed-race person, I can speak about these things from an educational and a personal perspective. The kids appreciate I know what I am talking about.”

Grace, who is looking forward to festivals in the summer with her jazz band, only started singing when she was at uni and is shocked and delighted the group are doing so well.

She said: “I did piano for a year at school and started making up my own songs – that’s when I caught the singing bug. When I went to Edinburgh Uni, I started jamming in The Dog House and Henry’s Cellar Bar and that’s where I met the rest of the band. There are five of us and we have been together since 2018.

“We play two gigs a month and we are getting asked to play at festivals all over the UK. This summer we are playing the Kelburn Garden Party, Fyne Fest and Otherlands at Scone Palace. It’s crazy. We also have an EP coming out later in the year. Life really is good at the moment and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Alison Bruce, of Colours, said: “We hope Grace’s success will help inspire more black and Asian girls to follow in her footsteps and enter the world of modelling. Grace has a brilliant work ethic and is a great role model. She will go far.”