At a time when the far-right is resurgent in the UK, in political and social mainstream, now more than ever we need to come together and convene. Young Black people in Britain are the force behind change – and this is why we are hosting a webinar focused on the future of young Black Britain.
This webinar is a timely reminder that we can challenge the system. It will explore the concerns of safety and security for Britain’s Black youth, and what role democratic participation can play in addressing these concerns. This webinar is about allowing Britain’s Black youth to shape their future and actively participate in the democratic process however they feel able to.
Our Black Britain’s Mandate, launched in 2024, called for accountability, demanding that government and political parties uphold their promises to Black communities. Yet, challenges persist. Voter turnout among Black communities remains lower than average, compounded by barriers such as voter registration issues and voter identification laws. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort to empower and mobilise young Black voters, ensuring their voices are heard and their interests represented in the political arena.
So, what needs to be done to ensure that young Black Britains are emboldened to challenge the negative rhetoric? We made a commitment in our Black Britain’s Mandate to build a movement and this discussion is part of fulfilling that.
This session will be chaired by Athian Akec, BEO trustee of the Black Equity Organisation. It will explore what challenges exist for the safety of young Black Britains and crucially what they can do about it through democratic participation. It will also be an opportunity and safe space to talk about your experiences around safety and ways to improve civic and democratic participation.
Who is it for?
This webinar is open to all. Come along if you are interested to hear how young people feel about their safety, security and how they can get involved in the democratic process.
Speakers
This is a discussion with Athian Akec BEO Trustee, Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, Lavinya Stennett; and Lee Jasper.
Athian Akec, BEO Trustee and Activist. Athian is a young historian, writer and speaker. He is a trustee on the board of the Black Equity Organisation. His main areas of focus are climate change, youth violence and racial inequality. He’s written for the Guardian, Independent, Huffpost, Huck magazine and other national newspapers. He’s been profiled by The Times and was a cover star for i-D magazine’s 40th anniversary up and rising profile of Black activists, writers, photographers and actors. Athian has spoken in the House of Commons as a member of the UK Youth Parliament. Athian previously served on the board of a youth charity and commission in Camden focusing on economic renewal following the pandemic and was a special advisor to a Parliamentary inquiry into the teaching of Black history in British schools.
Jovan Owusu-Nepaul is a political campaigner, commentator, consultant, writer, educator, and public speaker whose journey into politics was driven by a commitment to social justice rather than career ambition. Growing up near Birmingham during the era of austerity, he witnessed firsthand the impact of government cuts on working-class communities, which sparked his interest in politics. He joined the Labour Party in 2014 and went on to study Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Goldsmiths, followed by postgraduate studies at Selwyn College, Cambridge. During his academic years, he held leadership roles in Labour-affiliated groups and gained experience working with senior Labour figures, including MPs and party officials.
Lavinya Stennett is a writer, author, and Founder/Director of The Black Curriculum, an organisation that aims to teach Black history in schools. She is passionate about education and social justice.
Lee Jasper is a politician and race relations activist. Lee is a Policy and Organisational Development Training Consultant, Chair Alliance for Police Accountability Project Steering Group, Co-Founder Operation Black Vote / BARAC UK / Blaksox, Strategic Adviser Black Men 4 Change and Black Impact, Board Member Youth Futures, Vice-Chair BAME Lawyers 4 Justice and Chair Lambeth Youth Safety Forum.
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