It can’t go on. We must go further and faster.
The upsetting events of the past few weeks have shone a long overdue spotlight on systemic oppression and discrimination against black individuals.
The Federation is committed to helping combat racial injustice. We welcome speakers, events and businesses that tackle these issues in a quest for more ethical technology and socially responsible business. Here, we highlight some of the excellent businesses based at The Federation that work towards tackling underrepresentation.
We are proud that these organisations are part of our Federation community.
Diverse & Equal, founded by Annette Joseph, is committed to changing the way we think about diversity and inclusion. Focused on tackling the lack of diversity in the tech industry, Diverse & Equal’s innovative programmes, workshops and hubs aim to create a thriving sector informed by a wealth of knowledge and help black individuals gain work experience.
For the last 2 years, Diverse & Equal has been focusing on speaking out on diversity for a better society. During 2019, UK organisations found that due to a lack of skilled candidates, 2 out of 3 businesses were unable to fill digital roles. This skills gap meant that many digital transformation projects were unable to launch, costing the UK GDP an estimated £141bn in lost growth; a lost opportunity evidenced by the pandemic, where organisations with robust digital culture and agility continue to thrive by quickly reacting to change. To help tackle this deficit, Diverse & Equal has launched a social innovation hub, aiming to identify, prototype and test ideas to reduce negative impacts experienced by under-served communities, caused or exacerbated by tech (or lack of it). Equipping learners with a host of agile skills, including collaboration, problem solving and communication, once a ‘new normal’ is established, they’ll be ready for entry level roles. You can support their black tech programme by either donating here or by offering mentoring support or advice by filling in the form here.
In addition to her valuable work with Diverse, Annette has written an immensely powerful and personal article on recent events. We strongly encourage you to read the article here.
Another excellent organisation working to tackle underrepresentation is Bassajamba, led by Reina Yaidoo. Bassajamba is a social enterprise that aims to give everyone access to science and technology. Reina has just completed a 2-year Wellcome Trust project focused on how under-served/underrepresented communities in deprived areas remain resilient. One of her findings was around self efficacy; the belief that you can make a change whether setting up a community/support group, joining in health research or even creating music, to help others, which has a huge impact on remaining resilient or recovery in challenging circumstances.
Following this groundbreaking work, Bassajamba has moved three more projects into phase two around the wider effects of the pandemic. Firstly, they are looking into a telehealth solution to support adults who present at dentists with injuries from domestic violence/abuse, an issue exacerbated during lockdown. Secondly, they will be developing a social prescription network that uses community radio stations to devise digital inclusion and health education programming for underserved/disadvantaged communities during lockdown. Lastly, they are working on a project around the effects of hypoglycemia in people with diabetes (whose symptoms can often be mistaken for drunken behaviour), leading to incarceration or police custody. Bringing all of these incredible projects together under one theme is Bassajamba’s focus on development of a knowledge management solution for inclusive innovation. It helps to bring underrepresented communities into the knowledge economy. To follow Reina and her excellent work click here.
The Federation is also home to Freshrb CIC, which brings a fresh meaning to video production, giving a voice to those with marginalised health issues. Freshrb is focused on using video as a mission-based tool to bridge research with engagement, to teach media skills and reduce loneliness in our communities. Leading the business is Oladamola Babalola (Mr. Babz) and Kondwani Chirwa, who use their experience of long-term health conditions to bring unique and interactive projects like Silent Elephant Productions (talking about ‘the elephant in the room’!) into classroom settings.
Since lockdown, Kondwani has been publishing blog posts on LinkedIn, investigating how others are trying to navigate and adjust to living under lockdown, something which for him and many people with life-limiting long-term health conditions, is a constant factor of life. Tasked with finding the positives of lockdown, Kondwani states seeing a smile on loved ones faces, doing things you love and just being alive are all things we shouldn’t take for granted. Accessibly breaking down the swarm of information we’re overwhelmed with, Freshrb has created some excellent and informative videos focusing on the positives from this situation, and how we can start asking ‘what next?’ Take a look at Kondwani’s articles here, and watch the video by following the link here.
Antiracism work begins with the conversations we have with our friends, families, colleagues and strangers.
Federation residents WeAreASSIF hosted a special antiracism discussion group on 10 June, on the impact of racism in society and what we can collectively do to talk and act for positive social change. If you missed out on the conversation you can listen in here and find out what went on.
There have been numerous lists and compilations of valuable resources circulating recently, filled with actions we can all personally take to be antiracist. The Federation team has been actively following up on some of these ourselves and we encourage you to research, learn, listen and, most importantly, take action yourself.
There are many petitions we can all sign, including bringing justice to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and of course, here in the UK, protecting workers like Belly Mujinga, and changing the way we are taught about black history in schools. Internationally, our collective voices (of over 17 million signatures) have already achieved change, in charging the police officers with the death of George Floyd, and systemic changes like the commitment to abolish the Minneapolis police department. There is still work to be done and many more petitions to be signed.
In the meantime, we are educating ourselves on the history of racism within the UK, systemic oppression and the experiences of our black peers. Some excellent books we recommend are Why I’m No longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge, Natives by Akala, How to be Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi and Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch. There are countless others, and more information and further readings lists can be found in these informative posts and articles here or here.
Another excellent way to support change is by donating money to valuable causes and charities and supporting black-owned businesses. In the UK, charities like Stand Up To Racism, The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, The Runnymede Trust and Black Lives Matter UK are all tackling racial injustice and working towards a more equitable society. Specifically within the tech sector as well, our tenants Diverse & Equal, as mentioned previously, have set up a GoFundMe page to remove the barriers for black people in tech and create a more diverse sector. There have also been many articles compiling lists of black-owned businesses to buy from, one of which you can access here.
Finally, we want to take the opportunity to echo the words of Co-op CEO Steve Murrells:
“We know we can’t go on like this. A world where people are judged, discriminated against and die due to the colour of their skin is not the world I want, that any of us want. Even though we are not in the USA we all have a part to play.
“Some of you experience judgement and discrimination every single day. Both in work and outside of work. I know I can’t get close to knowing what this feels like, but I want you to know that my ears are pinned back, my eyes are open and, as uncomfortable as it may be, I won’t look away. I know this is happening and it’s unacceptable and intolerable. It must change. We can change it.
“The inclusive culture that we, together, are trying to build at the Co-op will only live through actions. Not words alone. There is no doubt we’ve got more to do. We’re well underway but I’m not naive enough to think that we’re even nearly done. We need to go further and faster.”
The Federation, powered by Co-op, is committed to fighting racism through our actions. We will uplift underrepresented voices and organisations, educate ourselves on racial injustices by creating an antiracism book exchange at The Federation and commit to diversifying our spaces, events programmes and networks through solid actions.
To reiterate: It can’t go on. We must go further and faster — to create societies and systems that work for all.
Thank you to Diverse & Equal, Bassajamba and Freshrb CIC for consenting to being part of this article.
Written by Mimi Dearing
