All of the elements are assisting in creating my ‘vision’ of a new approach to race equality led by communities themselves, based on structural disadvantage. A model of Black an Minority participation in the construction of race equality. Equanomics UK – a broad movement with a steering group drawn from regions and areas of expertise across sectors. Focusing on Economic justice and race equality. Empowering communities in major cities across the UK to be stakeholders in their own financial well being. www.equanomics.org.uk The Alliance –Equanomics UK working with JUST West Yorkshire, Oxfam and other partners. The aim is to broaden the movement for race equality – linking northern and southern regions of England, interrogating the media and political construction of race. The 1990 Trust – equality legislation and policy analysis for information to and engagement of Black and Minority communities in dialogues about what affects them and in turn how to affect policy change. Website is still being constructed but will be available at www.1990trust.org ROOTS – a project of the 1990 TRUST with Equanomics UK as partners to conduct social action research on race equality - with communities rather than on communities. A high level advisory group of academics, strategic thinkers, lawyers and NGOs. Karen Chouhan.com – my own consultancy working with public and private sector for equality across the board. A key project is the ‘Diversity Challenge’ – an interactive visual (on screen) team game with questions, answers and related case studies across all areas of equality. All legal back up is a thoroughly researched by a team of lawyers. I also do a bout 30 speaking engagements per year which helps in taking out the message of new approaches to race equality. My motto ‘EQUALITY FOR YOUR BUSINESS IS MY BUSINESS’. Website is still developing but can be viewed at www.karenchouhan.com
Current climate / landscape where the motivation came from
Launch tour in 2007 in 10 poor areas 7days, 35 events, 20,000 people created Equanomics database from registrations City teams building in Liverpool, Manchester, Leicester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Nottingham, Manchester, Leicester and London, Bradford 10 roundtable UK events ‘ Mind your Business’ financial intelligence events
Established the centre with staff and got key projects of the ground: LSYVB – Evaluation reports for pan-London governement organisation tackling serious youth violence Youth BAME unemployment survey – trained 5 young unemployed 18-24 to consult with a further 50 young people on issues around employment. Poverty and ethnicity study – received additional funding from the JRF and partnered with Edge Hill University – part of larger strategy to tackle poverty in the UK Organised the Race Election Forum in the House of Commons – 100 invited delegates, a panel including Lords, Labour and Lib-Dem MPs, and coverage in national press and broadcast, including Sky News and the BBC.
Work of Equanomics and Roots culminated in the Black Manifesto. With the eminent general elections, I saw a perfect opportunity to connect and capitalise on the cacophony of voices and views of the communities and organisations I had engaged with, and produce a policy document that would hold the government to account on issues regarding racial equality Brought together over 40 organisations including Oxfam and MET Police Had over 300 speaking engagements, including media coverage from mainstream prime time TV, Channel 4 – on their key news programme and their ‘Alternative Election’ programme
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