On Wednesday, 7th February 2024, we hosted our inaugural Sector Development Networking Event at the Coach House, in the heart of St.Paul’s and our local communities. Nathalie Sherring, our Regional Capacity Building Manager, and Michelle Meredith, our Community Development Officer, warmly welcomed over 30 colleagues from the sector, eager to connect, share ideas, and explore partnership opportunities. With Jikoni East Africa providing a delicious spread of food, we enjoyed an informal evening of networking and relationship-building.

On Wednesday, 30th of January 2024, we hosted an enterprise networking event, ‘Unlocking The Business Finance Landscape, ’ a partnership with the British Business Bank at the Metrobank in Bristol City Centre. The event aimed to explore finance options, build networks, and directly engage with investors. Attendees were welcomed into the venue with refreshments by Derek Tanner, our Enterprise Development Manager and Event Chair, who shared the challenges of accessing finance and the potential benefits that could be unlocked if Black and Minoritised businesses had proper access.

On Tuesday, the 12th of December, we hosted our Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2023 and an engaging discussion on Race and Philanthropy at the Watershed, Bristol. Attendees were welcomed into the venue with a buffet-style spread of food and beautiful Palestinian music from local musician Sara Alshaikhly. The AGM kicked off with a warm welcome from our Event Host and Creative Producer, Rob Mitchell, who read 'If I Must Die,' written by the late Palestinian Writer Refaat Alareer, who was tragically killed in an airstrike in Gaza City a week ago. To pay our respects, we held a moment of silence.

On Thursday the 19th of October in our Social Enterprise Incubator at the Coach House in St. Pauls, we hosted our, ‘UnMuseum Project Launch,’ an innovative project that reimagines the very essence of a museum and challenges the traditional museum concept. This event was also accompanied by the launch of our first pop-up exhibition, a collaborative effort with the Arnolfini, offering a captivating visual journey through our recent exploration of Museum Zoma in Addis Ababa. Guests also enjoyed a delightful spread of East African cuisine courtesy of Jikoni.

On Thursday the 14th of September we hosted our first ever Race & Justice Conference in the South West! The aim of this conference was to highlight and collectively tackle common issues in the racial justice sector (specifically, access to justice) by bringing together people in the South West – from community organisers, community leaders, activists, to legal professionals, and policy influencers. The event was sponsored by Burges Salmon LLP, who provided us with a space to host as well as a delicious lunch spread and refreshments throughout the day.

Introducing Sally Balfourth, who, through her practice, provides an opportunity to connect with the inner world, move with curiosity, and appreciate your body from the outside in. Sally has been holding monthly yoga sessions with the BSWN in our Social Enterprise Incubator space to help us take a step out of our busy day and focus on our wellbeing.

Nigel started his business due to being passionate about helping others and our business enterprise team has been supporting him to achieve this since he started his business last year. River Jordan Counselling Service and Consultancy currently provide culturally sensitive therapy for adult men from racially minoritised backgrounds.

On Your Side is a new, UK-wide support and reporting service for anyone in the UK who identifies as East and Southeast Asian who has experienced racism or any form of hate. This free and essential helpline runs 24 hours a day with native-speaking interpreters to ensure all service users get the necessary support.

Growing up in this generation has been interesting to say the least, especially being a young Black man myself. I have been subject to a lot of racism but have seen more cultural appropriation on the whole. Especially during secondary school, it was quite weird if I'm honest, the transition from being impacted by racism to facing cultural appropriation as a lot of kids went from having racist opinions to embracing Black culture like it’s their own.

“BSWN is an organisation that truly works with its communities providing information, a platform, and an opportunity to thrive. This way of working is so refreshing and it is obvious why so many people and organisations are so thankful and grateful to BSWN for their work and support, which empowers people and businesses every day.”