Leading the Change - Anti-Racism Influencers & Resources

(Andrew M. Ibrahim MD, MSc, Becoming Anti-Racist Model: Fear, Learning, Growth.)

(With thanks to Carta Communications for interviewing me for this week's edition of their newsletter Tracked Changes, which helped inspire this post'.)

I've been asked a few times recently and seen other 'lists' being shared. For motivated allies and change agents, here's a list of some key influencers and people to follow for inspiration, motivation and practical guidance (scroll down for resource links and further reading). Evidently this list is biased to my circles and connections so I always welcome additions. This list covers people of colour and white allies and, includes inclusion champions as opposed to commentators with a pure race focus;

• BME PR Pros founder, Elizabeth Bananuka @ebananuka

• Manifest London brand directo, Julian Obubo @JulianObubo

• WX leader, Zoe Stafford https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-stafford-44431715/

• Havas PR UK, Operations Director, Claire Quansah @aniteyec

• Melissa Lawrence, Chief Executive, Taylor Bennett Foundation @MLucien17

• Adrian Walcott, BAME 2020 co-founder, Director Brands with Valuesm@ascwalcott

• Amanda Fone, F1 Recruitment, Founder and co-founder BAME 2020 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-fone-380a212/

• Sereena Abbassi, Global Head of Culture & Inclusion, M&C Saatchi @sereenaabbassi

• Daljit Bhurji, CEO, Diffusion @Daljit_Bhurji

• Sarah Samee, Group Head of External Communications at Lloyd's Register and Vice President of Women in PR @sarahsamee

• Bibi Hilton, Women in PR President, Global Engagement Director, Unilever at Interpublic Group (IPG) @HiltonBibi

• Jo-ann Roberston, CEO Ketchum UK @RedRobertino

• Asad Dhunna, Founder The Unmistakables @asadd

• Nicola Kemp, Managing Editor, BITE at Creativebrief @nickykc

• Ali Hanan, Creative Equals @thewordbaker

• Ronke Lawal, PR & Comms Consultant @ronkelawal

I also wanted to share my top 3 reads in this space to help with serious self-reflection, to give historical and social context and crucially, to offer practical guidance for personal and organisational change;

• Layla F Saad 'Me and White Supremacy'

• June Sarpong, 'Diversify'

• Toby Mildon, 'Inclusive Growth'

• Charlotte Sweeney & Fleur Bothwick, 'Inclusive Leadership'

Finally further resources to elevate your thinking and practice here (including two names already mentioned above);

• Out today from The CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations) sobering research into the lived experiences of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) PR practitioners in the UK, a first by the UK communications industry.

• The Blueprint diversity mark helps organisations attract, retain and recruit diverse talent from BME PR Pros. diverse talent.

• From Asad's team at The Unmistakables a collection of thoughtful and practical writing, Anti-Racist Pop-Up.

The graphic at the top of this piece I think is an excellent model to keep would-be allies on track and to guide good intentions over the long-term. As Layla F Saad says to white allies in her brilliant book, 'Me and White Supremacy,'Don't expect gratitude or ally cookies for your efforts. Dig deep, get uncomfortable and get ready for lifelong work.'