Today (12PM), the Black Equity Organisation (BEO) will launch the Black Britain’s Mandate, a groundbreaking, transformative initiative set to reshape the landscape of racial equity in the United Kingdom.
The Black Britain’s Mandate is not just a document—it’s a movement. The mandate puts forward urgent policy demands aimed at fostering a more just, inclusive, and equitable society for Britain’s Black African, Caribbean, and mixed-heritage communities.
The policies demands within the mandate are built around BEO’s six core pillars, which address the areas where Black communities face the most significant inequalities: education, housing, justice and immigration, health, economic empowerment, and cultural awareness.
These policies include urging the government to integrate anti-racist frameworks across NHS services, ending discriminatory housing policies and advocating for mandatory reporting of both the ethnicity and disability pay gaps.
This mandate is the culmination of extensive engagement with Black British communities across the UK. BEO collaborated with local race equality and social justice organisations in Birmingham, Manchester, London, Scotland and Wales, holding 19 events that attracted over 480 in-person attendees and 470 online participants.
Black Britain’s Mandate isn’t just about demanding change – it’s about creating it. The mandate unites the powerful and diverse voices within Black communities, giving them the platform to assert their political influence and shape a transformative vision for 21st-century Britain.
Timi Okuwa, Chief Executive Officer of Black Equity Organisation, said: “There have been many reports echoing the painful realities that our communities have lived with for far too long. The Black Britain’s Mandate is more than a moment in history—it is a powerful turning point. This isn’t just about improving the lives of Black Britons; it’s about sparking a transformation that will resonate throughout every corner of society.
“These critical policy changes are designed to dismantle the barriers that have held our communities back and unlock opportunities for a brighter, more equitable future. By holding the government to account and driving real, lasting change, this Mandate is the key to building a fairer, more just UK for all.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the Black Equity Organisation (BEO)
The Black Equity Organisation is dedicated to advocating for social, economic, legal, and political equity for Black African, Caribbean, and mixed-heritage communities in the UK. Through partnerships with community organisations and stakeholders, BEO works to drive policy change and improve outcomes for Black communities across the nation.
Additional information about the Black Britain’s Mandate Survey
The survey was conducted online using Smart Survey total of 886 participants from across the UK took part, with the survey running from 7th May to 30th June 2024. The top three age groups represented were 55-64 (28.05%), 45-54 (over 20%), and 25-34 (19.68%). Approximately 70% of respondents were women, and 27% were men. Just under 50% of participants were from Greater London.
The development of the Mandate has been supported by BEO’s partners:
• Operation Black Vote
• Caribbean & African Health Network CIC (CAHN)
• Intercultural Youth Scotland (ICYS)
• Birmingham Race Impact Group (BRIG)
• The Africa Centre
• UK Black Pride (UKBP)
• Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust
• Network for Social Change
• The Politics Project
• Virgo Consultancy Services Ltd
• Diverse Youth NI
• Zita Holbourne
• Counselling All Nations Services (CANS)
