Dr Martin Griffiths delivers a keynote speech at the launch of the campaign
Reducing racial inequality is at the heart of a new campaign launched by Tower Hamlets Council.
I Can Be … aims to empower residents from Black, Asian and Multi-Ethnic backgrounds to become community leaders and have real decision-making powers.
The council has partnered with national organisation Olmec and seven inspiring community champions to encourage residents to step out of their comfort zone and be the change they want to see.
The campaign wants to see more Black, Asian and Multi-Ethnic representation in voluntary roles such as a magistrate, school governor, police community support officer and on housing and education boards.
Currently Black, Asian and Multi-Ethnic residents are under-represented in these roles.
- Only 3% of school governor chairs nationally are from a Black, Asian and Multi-Ethnic background
National Governance Association research says, nationally, 88% of people who became school governors in 2021 were white and 75% were aged between 40 and 70.
In Tower Hamlets, 32% of school governors are from a Black, Asian and Multi-Ethnic background but the number significantly drops when looking at chairs of school governors who are Black, Asian and Multi-Ethnic (only 16%).
- Only 13 per cent of all magistrates from the across the UK are from a Black, Asian and Multi-Ethnic background (source – Ministry of Justice report Diversity of the judiciary: Legal professions, new appointments, and current post-holders – 2023 statistics)
Dr Martin Griffiths, I Can Be … champion said:
“I am happy to be lending my support to the I Can Be … campaign as it is important for all communities to be represented in decision making and what better way to influence what happens in your community than by being a community leader.
“We need community leaders from all walks of life and ages and do not let anyone hold you back.
“If you are passionate about serving your community and have something to say, then we want to hear from you. Show us what you can be!”
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman added:
“I Can Be … hopes to pave the way for a new generation of community leaders who do not conform to stereotypes.
“We want women, young people, and people with disabilities to come forward and take on these important roles.
“Free training and opportunities will be advertised on our website, and this is an opportunity for minority voices to have a real impact.”
Cllr Abdul Wahid, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Equalities and Social Inclusion who spoke at the launch of the campaign (31 July) made a plea to young people to not let racial prejudices hold them back.
Cllr Wahid said: “Many years ago when I took a group of students from Tower Hamlets to visit Cambridge University, I remember one student asking me, “Can someone like me, an Asian boy whose grown up on a council estate – really apply and be accepted somewhere like here. Is that really a possibility?”
“I don’t want anyone to think they are not good enough or don’t have a shot at something just because of the colour of the skin or their social background. I Can Be … hopes to change people’s mindset and if our community see more people of colour in senior positions it will give them hope that their voices will be heard and counted.”
Our I Can Be … champions include:
- Dr Martin Griffiths, a trauma surgeon based at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. Martin is the national clinical director for violence reduction for NHS England and his community work with young people has turned around many lives. He is keen to make sure young Black people have their voices heard.
- Dr Shafi Ahmed, a pioneering surgeon who grew up in Tower Hamlets. Shafi’s online videos have been watched hundreds of thousands of times, earning him the accolade of the most-watched surgeon in human history.
Shafi has set up a women’s clinic in Bangladesh and trains clinical staff to ensure the most vulnerable have access to the best care.
- Safia Jama, is the CEO of the Women’s Inclusive Team based in Bethnal Green. Safia received the ‘The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service’ in 2022, for exceptional services in supporting the most vulnerable in Tower Hamlets during the pandemic.
Safia and her team of 500 volunteers established a food bank, community kitchen and delivery service supporting vulnerable residents throughout the pandemic. Safia champions unheard voices and works with Black, Asian, and Multi-Ethnic women to give them the confidence to play a pivotal role in society.
- Sufia Alam, is the Head of Projects and Programmes at the East London Mosque.
Sufia has worked in community development and leadership in Tower Hamlets for the last 27 years.
She began her career at the Wapping Women’s Centre in 1997 where she set up projects to help Bangladeshi women into education and employment.
Recently Sufia has turned her attention to climate change and educating the community about to be more responsible and look after the planet.
- Jai Singh is a Chief Inspector with the Met Police, policing neighbourhoods in Tower Hamlets and Hackney.
He has risen through the ranks from a police constable right through to senior leadership.
When he was a police community support officer he enjoyed engaging with local communities, having been born and bred in Newham and has a good understanding and lived experience of local issues.
Ashikur Rahman is the lead imam at Darul Ummah Shadwell and has vast experience of serving the local community.
He has lived in the borough for more than 20 years and has been involved in community work all his life.
Despite being a busy mum of five young children, Fatima makes time to be a community leader and is a school governor and an advocate for young people with Special, Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Find out more about the campaign and how to apply for roles and free training at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/icanbe
Posted on Tuesday 6th August 2024