It is clear how ethnic disparities within the labour market are linked to other disparities in policy such as housing, and influenced by national crises such as the cost of living crisis. Issues within the labour market leads to wage disparity between minoritised communities and their White counterparts.
The Telling Stories event on 22nd November 2022, was a powerful, social and introspective conversation about the art of storytelling. I know this because I was there. It asked critical questions that were extremely thought-provoking about how the UnMuseum project (as it stands today with this name) will tell stories. But it was also a general conversation for storytellers in all modes and forms, as well as an educational one.
The Cost-of-Living Crisis in Gloucester and the South West of England has had a severe impact on residents' health, access to healthcare, and overall quality of life. The research conducted by Money Expert and BSWN highlights the stark reality of the issue, with rent increases, salary decreases, and reliance on food banks becoming commonplace. The rising costs of living and inequalities in healthcare access have led to major health disparities, particularly for Black and Minoritised communities.
In this week of representation, inclusion, and workplace equality, remember to uplift Black voices, Black minds, and Black excellence in all its forms; advocate for a fair and just society for all, and remember that this work doesn’t stop at the end of the Week. BSWN is proud to spotlight Black leaders and share their perspectives on what inclusion truly means. Join us in this important mission and help create a more equitable world, not just for today or this week, but for the future.
BSWN recognises that the United Kingdom has many steps to take before it is a racially just society. CODE’s Evidence for Equality National Survey (EVENS) report, juxtaposed against previous reports on Racial Inequality, is unabashed in its claim that racism extends past singular, isolated instances of individual choice.
On Wednesday 7th December, we held the fourth and final event in our UnMuseum Culture & Heritage Programme autumn events. I Am Witness: The Role of Testimony in the Reparatory Justice Process. A highly reflexive, conscious dialogue between panellists and the audience, the role of testimony and truth in cultural reparations was elucidated.
Data shows that racial inequality in the education system is still a prevalent issue, as Black and Minoritised children are greatly overrepresented in exclusions and academic underachievement. This has been a recurring trend for many years and quite clearly demonstrates the iniquity in schools and colleges across the country.
Today, Tuesday 24th January 2023, marks the fifth UNESCO International Day of Education, a day that serves as both a celebration and an acknowledgment of the privileges and disadvantages of children worldwide. Access to free education should be a fundamental right; provided for any child, anywhere in the world. But this vision strays far from reality.
On Thursday the 19th of January, we joined forces with Allianz Personal to host an exciting series of workshops designed to help business owners unlock the full potential of technology. Guests indulged in delicious cuisine from Jikoni East Africa while listening to engaging presentations from Debra Kaye of LV= and Liam Holmes, Data & AI Innovations Lead at Allianz Personal.
2023 marks the 60th year anniversary of when the words “I have a dream…” were first uttered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. In our own fight for racial justice, we must remember the trails blazed by our elders and remember that their legacy was neither deemed palatable nor easily digestible, but was won through grit and resilience for a society where all are treated equally.
On Wednesday the 23rd of November we hosted a 'Meet the Funder' event at the Coach House where we heard from Lorna Henry, Funding Officer for The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF). We were delighted to be hosting a fully in-person meeting with our colleagues from the community sector to facilitate networking and exchange of ideas and advice.
This event ‘Telling Stories,’ included a very rich conversation between audience members and panelists about how the UnMuseum space will look and how its content will be presented. This deep discussion also covered how stories in an UnMuseum space should cover represent histories that are not taught in the mainstream – hidden stories – unexpressed stories.
This is a summary of the impact of the government’s autumn budget on Black and Minoritised people. It covers changes to taxes, public spending, health and social care, wages, pensions, and benefits. Throughout the fiscal year of 2021-22, indicators of economic growth have been moving towards constriction. With the announcement of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Budget (2022), the UK has officially entered into a period of recession.
Professor Hakim Adi is the first historian of African heritage to become a professor of history in Britain. He took us on an explorative and educational journey of his research and Black British history through a brilliant presentation. It was a pleasure to listen to Professor Hakim Adi launch his new book, ‘African and Caribbean People in Britain.’
Following on from our Submission to Just Fair month we are one of 82 organisations calling on the UK Government to respect human rights in the UK after many UN member states highlighted failures across the board. On Thursday the 10th of November member states of the UN Human Rights Council called on the UK Government to take action to better realise rights in the UK.
This event ‘Digitisation & Disruption,’ focussed on exploring the opportunities and limitations digitisation in the cultural heritage space with an overarching question: Does digitisation allow us to disrupt the traditional (physical)museum space while navigating issues around copyright and ownership?
Growing up, I had always loved rock music. From my first introduction to Elton John by my Stepdad, to my Dad teaching me Green Day songs in my adolescent years, rock music was always a genre that I felt deep in my soul even though it was clear to see that I did not fit the mould required for this space.
