London, 29 September 2022 – The Independent has announced a series of initiatives to coincide with Black History Month UK this October, celebrating the accomplishments of Black Britons and supporting individuals and organisations dedicated to achieving lasting change.
The theme for this year’s Black History Month is ‘time for change: action, not words’ and so The Independent will be amplifying the voices of changemakers whilst shining a light on the work that still needs to be done.
In editorial, The Independent’s Nadine White, the UK’s first dedicated Race Correspondent, will lead and commission a series of features focused on education, politics and the Black press in Britain.
In addition:
- The Independent’s opinion section, Voices, will cover Black perspectives and experiences throughout the month, including pieces by Diane Abbott MP, presenter Ayo Akinwolere, Editor of Black British Lives Matter Marcus Ryder MBE, footballer Danny Welbeck and Loose Women’s Kéllé Bryan.
- Music coverage led by Roisin O’Connor will include an exclusive interview with singer Kwabs and rapper Hardy Caprio about their experiences in the industry, while Jumi Akinfenwa’s piece on new Amazon Prime Video series Jungle talks to its producers, actors and featured artists about its use of grime and drill.
Accompanying editorial coverage, The Independent will be giving free advertising campaigns to Black organisations across a range of sectors from civil rights to music.
These are:
- Black Lives in Music, an organisation at the vanguard of the movement to combat racism in the music industry. It is uniting organisations and musicians throughout the United Kingdom to create a representative and diverse sector. Last October, the organisation published a report on the lived experience of Black music creators and industry professionals which produced key information and insights with an outcome for a consensus for change in today’s music sector. The aims of BLIM’s Independent ad campaign are to further grow an inclusive music community, to increase organisational partners and to create a fair and equal music industry.
- UK Black Comms Network, which exists to increase the number and seniority of Black PR and comms professionals in the UK. The UK BCN provides resources, inspiration, and peer-to-peer networking to empower their members to claim their space. The network shines
a light on the challenges the Black community faces and partners with like-minded individuals and organisations to enact change. - Black Business Network, which offers support to Black business owners throughout their entrepreneurial journey to strengthen business connections, financing and knowledge in the Black community. Lloyds Bank has partnered with the Black Business Network (BBN), as part of its commitment to a multi-year plan of research and actions to move the dial for Black entrepreneurial success, and they recently published a new report together, providing further insights on the experiences of Black entrepreneurs.
- Black Equity Organisation. BEO is a new independent, national Black civil rights organisation created to dismantle systemic racism in Britain, drive generational change and deliver better lived experiences for Black people across the country.
- Black Pound Day, which is on a mission to address the economic inequalities and imbalances affecting Black businesses and entrepreneurs in the UK and global diasporic communities. It grows the Black community’s economic power by encouraging all communities to replace their usual purchases with products from Black-led businesses on the first Saturday of each month.
Kamiqua Lake, founder and CEO UK Black Comms Network and Coldr, commented:
“We established the UK Black Comms Network to shine a light on the Black talent within our industry and increase the number and seniority of Black communication professionals. We are really excited to be a part of The Independent’s campaign which, like our network, seeks to identify and support talent within our community.”
Nadine White, Race Correspondent at The Independent, said:
“Black History Month is an important annual space to celebrate, promote and reflect upon Black experiences in the UK, past and present.
From an editorial perspective, we will be publishing articles that not only highlight Black achievement but also examine the work that must yet be done to address racial disparities faced by these communities around the nation.”
In the wake of Black Lives Matter demonstrations that brought the world to a standstill less than two years ago, keeping conversations around these issues remains a key priority at The Independent.”
We’re looking forward to unveiling important initiatives across October that will unlock opportunities around Black communities, inform and inspire.”
About The Independent
The Independent has been at the front line of journalism since 1986, with its purpose to challenge, debate and make change happen way ahead of its time. It is the UK’s most read quality digital news brand and a top 10 news brand in the US – with a network of global correspondents from London to Delhi, Moscow to New York as well as the Middle East. The Independent is a truly global news organisation, publishing from 12 countries and in six languages. The first of the quality news brands to embrace a fully digital future in 2016, The Independent is a dynamic, brand-safe environment for advertisers to reach a huge, loyal audience. For more information, visit independentadvertising.com and follow @IndyAdvertising on Twitter.
About Black History Month
Black History Month began in the UK in 1987 and runs throughout the month of October. It was founded to raise awareness of anti-Black racism and empower people to end it, and to celebrate the contributions of British people with African and Caribbean heritage in the UK. This year’s Black History Month is more important than ever. It’s not just a month to celebrate the continued achievements and contributions of Black people to the UK and around the world. It’s also a time for continued action to tackle racism, reclaim Black history, and ensure Black history is represented and celebrated all year round.
About Black Lives in Music
Black Lives in Music is at the vanguard of the effort to combat racism, uniting organisations and musicians to create a truly inclusive and diverse music industry. We use data and insights to work for meaningful representation of Black, Asian, and Ethnically Diverse professionals at all levels and in all areas of the music sector.
We have developed work in inclusive practice and delivering our critical friend model with over 85 partner organisations. Supporting work to achieve a diverse workforce and diverse service users. We engage our partner organisations in meaningful discussion in order to precipitate meaningful change.
In October 2021, Black Lives in Music commissioned a survey on the personal experience of Black music creators and industry professionals. The survey engaged with nearly 2,000 respondents. The subsequent report now published has produced key information and an insight into the experience of Black professionals in today’s music industry. The outcome bought consensus on ideas and actions, including an industry accepted anti racist code of conduct and support service for those suffering from issues of discrimination.
Quote from BLIM’s Roger Wilson:
“The need to address the issues of discrimination based on race and ethnicity in the British music sector is very real and now long overdue. Black Lives in Music believe that open and honest conversations are a key driver of social change. We’re passionate about our work and equally as keen to see real and impactful change transform the industry in the best interests of everyone and not just the privileged few.”
Quote from BLIM’s Charisse Beaumont:
“It’s important to see meaningful change in the music industry. Thanks to our research we are able to highlight the areas which need to change for Black creators and industry professionals. Specifically in the areas of career progression, equal pay, mental health, and the plight of Black women – who are most disadvantaged in the music industry. We are working with organisations across the music ecosystem to create a level playing field for all, to eradicate racism and create a music industry where everyone can thrive.”
About Black Business Network
The Black Business Network (BBN) offers support to Black business owners throughout their entrepreneurial journey to strengthen business connections, financing and knowledge in the Black community. Lloyds Bank has partnered with the Black Business Network (BBN), as part of its commitment to a multi-year plan of research and actions to move the dial for Black entrepreneurial success. The Black. British. In Business and Proud Report 2022 from BBN, sponsored by Lloyds Bank, provides further insights on the experiences of Black entrepreneurs to inform the actions the bank will take as part of its multi-year commitment.
https://www.blackbusinessnetwork.online
Quote from Shari Leigh, founder of Black Business Network and member of the Black Business Advisory Committee:
“This year’s Black. British. In Business and Proud report has shown a rise in experiences of discrimination from 51% to 67%; with 58% of those experiences having an impact on Black entrepreneur’s mental health. Coupled with the fear of rejection from banks because of their socio-economic background; Black entrepreneurs are choosing to self-fund and as a community with limited generational wealth, using friends, family and personal collateral for fundraising means Black entrepreneurs are only raising on average £2,000 to finance their businesses. “The impact means Black entrepreneurs cannot afford to work on their businesses full time, source staff with the correct expertise or create solid strategies for growth. It’s great to have the support of The Independent in driving the reach of these important insights and the journey we are on with Lloyds Banking Group and its Black Business Advisory Committee to drive equity for Black entrepreneurs.”
About Black Equity Organisation (BEO):
The Black Equity Organisation (BEO), launched in 2022, is an independent civil rights charitable organisation aimed at advancing justice and equity for Black people and communities in Britain. The BEO’s areas of focus are:
- Economic empowerment and equity of opportunity
- Education
- Justice, immigration and rights
- Culture, awareness, representation and respect
- Health, wellness and care
- Housing and community
About UK Black Comms Network
Half of Black PR and communications professionals are never promoted. The UK Black Comms Network (BCN) exists to increase the number and seniority of Black PR and comms professionals in the UK. The UK BCN provides resources, inspiration, and peer-to-peer networking to empower their members to claim their space. The network shines a light on the challenges the Black community face and partners with like-minded individuals and organisations to enact change.
https://blackcommsnetwork.co.uk
About Black Pound Day
Black Pound Day aims to be the biggest market place and directory to spend with Black businesses in the UK and Europe. Our mission is to address the economic inequalities and imbalances affecting Black businesses and entrepreneurs in the UK and global diasporic communities. We believe that by increasing the visibility of Black businesses and highlighting the importance of spending Black, we can facilitate change around socio-economic inequalities affecting Black communities. Black Pound Day encourages consumers to spend with Black businesses on the first Saturday of every month to achieve this vision. Founded by UK music artist Swiss from the So Solid Crew, Black Pound Day (BPD) takes place on the first Saturday of every month and is a solution-based approach set up to support the growth of the Black economy. We invite all communities to promote and spend with Black businesses locally and online. BPD aims to unite all cultures and ethnicities to support Black business and strengthen the Black economy.
