The Challenge is designed to intentionally create dedicated time and space to help develop a deeper understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion.
The 21 day Racial Equity Challenge
Day 21- Amazing inventions by Black People- Kids Black History.
Learn about some amazing inventions by black people. In this episode of Kids Black History, we look into some everyday objects that were created by black men and women. Some of these items may take you by surprise as you may not know some of the brilliant.
Day 20-Akala perfectly explains the structural racism that still exists today in Britain.
This has blown me away this morning. Watch and listen. Carey hsw.
Day 19- Despite the stark disparities in maternal outcomes, Black women’s voices and lived experiences have been notably absent from the literature. The findings in this report highlight the urgent work needed to ensure that rapid improvements are made – because a positive birthing experience is deserved not just by some, but by all.
This much needed grassroots campaign was set up in 2019 by 2 amazing women, Clo and Tinuke, and has already lead to a debate in Parliament around Black women and maternal health.
Day 18- Keke Palmer says she’s not a ‘victim’ as she discusses viral Zendaya colourism tweet.
Last month, the actor responded to a Twitter post suggesting that Palmer had found less mainstream popularity than Euphoria star Zendaya because she was darker skinned.
Day 17- Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association.
Activist Marcus Garvey brings his message of racial pride and self-reliance to New York’s Harlem, inspiring future “black power” movements.
Day 16- Bob Marley Interview about Richness and Money
Just because I’ve always loved this interview and his version of ‘richness’. Kelly HSW
An Added Bonus for Today: Aired on BBC last night: Una Marson: Our Lost Caribbean Voice.
The extraordinary story of Una Marson, a trailblazing poet, playwright and campaigner, and the first black producer and broadcaster at the BBC.
Day 15- Kids Explain Black History Month
Day 14- Colour blind or Colour Brave?
Just watched this Ted talk and the phrase let’s be comfortable being uncomfortable talking about race really resonated. I think ‘we’ are so fearful of getting it wrong, we often shy away from the conversation. Melissa, Home-Start Wandsworth.
The subject of race can be very touchy. As finance executive Mellody Hobson says, it’s a “conversational third rail.” But, she says, that’s exactly why we need to start talking about it. In this engaging, persuasive talk, Hobson makes the case that speaking openly about race — and particularly about diversity in hiring, makes for better businesses and a better society.
Day 13- Racism in our schools
A black child was subjected by police to a strip search at her London school that involved exposure of intimate body parts, according to an official investigation which found racism was likely to have been an “influencing factor” in the officers’ actions.
Day 12- Eleven-year-old Jolia Bossette on being a Black kid in America.
“In June 2020, 11-year-old Californian Jolia Bossette decided to use her fifth-grade graduation speech as an occasion to give voice to her thoughts and feelings. In her speech, she reminisced about how she was “the cutest thing,” as a toddler, and asked, “But when did I stop being cute and start being scary?”
What Black Lives Matter means to an 11 year old.
Day 11- Activist and Artist Faith Ringgold
Artist and Activist Faith Ringgold on fighting to get women and African-American artists into museums and the power of art.
Day 10- Eddie Glaude- Princeton University Professor.
“America’s not unique in its sense as a country. We’re not unique in our evils to be honest with you. I think where we may be singular is a refusal to acknowledge them and the legends and myths we tell about our inherent goodness to hide and cover and conceal so that we can maintain a kind of willful ignorance that protects our innocence.”
Day 9- Pharrell Williams-Entrepreneur
Day 8- Beats by Dre’s Beautiful, Defiant: Spot Questions your Love For Black Culture.
Beats by Dre cut to the heart of the matter with a searing spot from Translation that asked the real question of people who love (and appropriate) Black culture: “Do You love Black people?”
Day 7- Not Everyone is your Friend- Spoken Word- Trent Shelton
a poem for today.
Day 6- Robin DiAngelo: White Fragility
Robin DiAngelo’s bestselling book White Fragility has provoked an uncomfortable but vital conversation about what it means to be white. As protests organised by the Black Lives Matter movement continue around the world, she explains why white people should stop avoiding conversations about race because of their own discomfort, and how ‘white fragility’ plays a key role in upholding systemic racism.
Day 5 – Malorie Blackman: ‘Hope is the spark’
Malorie Blackman, the former children’s laureate, talks to Sian Cain about finishing her Noughts & Crosses series after 20 years, being namechecked by Stormzy and what inspired her to keep going through years of rejection.
“My children loved reading Noughts & Crosses as teenagers” – Sarah, HSW
Day 4 – Racism Is Real. Systematic Racism Explained
If systemic racism isn’t real, why are black people nearly four times more likely to be arrested than their white counterparts.
Day 3 – Uncomfortable conversations
In this film Matthew McConaughey sits down with Emmanuel Acho to discuss Black lives Matter, Equality and bias.
Day 2 – “I didn’t tell you”
“This poem was a cry from my heart to speak on a deeper level to my white friends and to attempt to relay to them that because of race, there is a palpable difference in the way our daily lives play out. And to my friends of darker hues, I offer this gift of voice” – Norma
Day 1 – White privilege
“Having two school aged children, I think it is important for them to understand the concept of white privilege and what it means for them and their classmates. I think this film explains it so well and it has opened up a wider discussion in our household.” – Melissa, Home-Start Wandsworth
White Privilege – A Parents Guide. by Barnardo’s
