Diane Abbott: Success against the oddsIn the dramatic final few hours, Diane Abbott received the 33 nominations that will take her to the final round of the Labour Leadership contest.OBV ignited this challenge by encouraging her to stand. Few gave her a prayer in achieving the very high threshold that would ensure this iconic Black woman would qualify to bring her politics to the leadership debate.By her achievement Diane Abbott not only makes history: the first women, the first Black person, to challenge for the party's leadership. Perhaps even more importantly she paves the way for others to follow.OBV Director, Simon Woolley:'This is truly a great day. Achieving the nomination is one thing, but doing so when the vast majority say you don't stand a chance, demonstrates self belief and a dynamism that few people in the World have. Diane's achievement will undoubtedly inspire a generation of Black men and women to become leaders.'Diane Abbott MP said:So many people asked me to put my hat in the ring and I decided to do so. The other candidates are all nice and would make good leaders of the Labour Party, but they all look the same. We cannot be offering a slate of candidates who all look the same. The Labour Party's much more diverse than that. I looked at the field and said 'If not now, when?' And 'If not me, who?’ It was tight, but we did it.”