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- Archive 2019
- 2015 Elections: 11 new BME MP’s make history
- 70th Anniversary of the Partition of India
- Black Church Manifesto Questionnaire
- Brett Bailey: Exhibit B
- Briefing Paper: Ethnic Minorities in Politics and Public Life
- Civil Rights Leader Ratna Lachman dies
- ELLE Magazine: Young, Gifted, and Black
- External Jobs
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- Gary Younge Book Sale
- George Osborne's budget increases racial disadvantage
- Goldsmiths Students' Union External Trustee
- International Commissioners condemn the appalling murder of Tyre Nichols
- Iqbal Wahhab OBE empowers Togo prisoners
- Job Vacancy: Head of Campaigns and Communications
- Media and Public Relations Officer for Jean Lambert MEP (full-time)
- Number 10 statement - race disparity unit
- Pathway to Success 2022
- Please donate £10 or more
- Rashan Charles had no Illegal Drugs
- Serena Williams: Black women should demand equal pay
- Thank you for your donation
- The Colour of Power 2021
- The Power of Poetry
- The UK election voter registration countdown begins now
- Volunteering roles at Community Alliance Lewisham (CAL)
The Colour of Power 2021: Your reaction
The Colour of Power 2021 launched just over two weeks ago and the project has generated notable reaction. 2017's iteration looked to visualise how power was dispersed along ethnic lines. Focus was also placed on the representation of women in leadership and how well the dynamics of wider society were reflected across 39 important areas of public life. Post adjustment, The Colour of Power 2021 figures revealed that there were 72 black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) faces in the UK’s top political, public, and cultural sectors.
"Saddening to still see so few black, Asian or minority ethnic people in positions of power..." - Stephanie Boyce
The Head of the Law Society Stephanie Boyce's response was an apt one following an 18-month period that has seen unprecedented discourse regarding race and the current state of play in the UK. Boyce, who became the society's 177th lead and the first black officeholder in March, added that despite the low figures it was "encouraging to see signs that things have begun to shift in the last year".
'Slowly getting there' was a common response among online commentators looking to see talk of change translate to a change in power.
Information Library
One of the perks of The Colour of Power 2021 is that it serves as a directory which can be referred to in the future. This has been identified as a distinguishing feature of the project.
This is great. I reference this in a lot of our work, I note the old data had disappeared, so glad it's back!
Aisha S
"...not only are there only 20 black people, but there are zero (openly) trans or non-binary people." - Haley Sims
The post adjustment figures mean the number of black individuals in The Colour of Power based on current criteria is 19. The highest proportion of Black people in The Colour of Power 2021 serve as CEOs of London Borough Councils. Kim Smith took on the role as CEO of Hammersmith and Fulham in late 2017, just missing out on the original Colour of Power listing.
As with many others on the list, Kim made history as the first black woman to lead the council. She is joined by Ian Thomas, CEO at Kingston-Upon-Thames, Althea Loderick, CEO of the London Borough of Newham and Bromley's 2019 appointment Ade Adetosoye.
The figures regarding openly trans & non-binary individuals are similarly unsurprising. A recent YouGov study showed that more transgender people are hiding their identity in the workplace compared to five years ago. The figures prompted a new wave of calls for businesses to develop policies around trans inclusion in the workplace.
Really powerful use of and presentation of data in this tool to illustrate the #colourofpower. Also worth pointing out that of the over 1,100 most powerful people in the UK included, not only are there only 20 Black people, but there are 0 (openly) trans or non-binary people.
Haley Sims
"#leadership structures still do not reflect #society" - Melanie Whittaker
Melanie Whittaker of the British American Drama Academy's comment was one of the primary sticking issues addressed by OBV COO Ashok Viswanathan. He noted that there was still more work to be done, pointing out that the makeup of The Colour of Power 2021 only reflected "50% of modern society."
"I think the proof will be in the pudding." - Joanne Anderson
The newly elected Mayor of Liverpool discussed The Colour of Power 2021 with Channel 4's Cathy Newman. Anderson, who has spent a significant portion of her career focusing on issues of race and equality, was forward looking in her assessment.
"Having worked in race equality for about 30 years we have had progress in the past. I think the proof will be in the pudding. Will this lead to long-standing change in 10 years time? Will the picture be the same or will the picture have gone backwards? But I think it's very important to celebrate when there is progress."
Joanne Anderson