11- 14 November 2021
This hybrid event highlights Black Britons’ rich legacy and progressive contributions to self and society. Black Britain and Beyond is a think tank and social platform which brings together Black Britons and allies to explore and engage in the significance of their economies, heritages, and identities.
Presented by Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Costa Coffee, the virtual and in-person symposium brings together world-renowned plenary speakers, thought-provoking sessions, and entertainment by stellar performers and artists.
It is also a hub to advance, devise and facilitate its future development and progress towards empowering future generations. University College London (UCL) Culture serves as the secretariat and incubator, where co-founder The Revd Professor Keith Magee sits as a global social justice thinker and public intellectual.
The four-day event features Marcus Ryder MBE, George the Poet, Mariana Mazzucato, Trevor Williams, Shaka Hislop, and Chi Onwurah MP with performances by Beverley Knight MBE, Josh Daniel, and Ebony Rose Dark, among many others, and discusses the negative stereotypes and narratives continually written about Black Britons. Event attendees can participate in discussions exploring shifting the narrative for the Black British as well as contributing to the culture’s future.
“On behalf of the extended Coca-Cola family in the UK, and as a proud alum of Newcastle University, it’s a great honour to sponsor and be part of this important event,” said Gareth Whalley, Global Director – Inclusion, Belonging & Connection, The Coca-Cola Company. “It’s critical that we continue to raise awareness of both the history and the ongoing challenges of Black communities, while also celebrating progress and successes in this way. This year’s speakers are an inspiring array of Black Britons discussing a real breadth of relevant and interesting topics, and there’s so much to learn from their insights and experiences.”
According to the 2011 Census, 1.9 million people living in the United Kingdom are Black. In addition, 1.2 million people in the UK are of mixed ethnicity, including those who identify as Mixed White/Black Caribbean. “We are delighted to extend Black History Month into November and host the second instalment of this symposium,” said Revd Professor Keith Magee, Co-Chair, Black Britain and Beyond and Chair and Professor of Practice in Social Justice, Newcastle University School of History, Classics and Archaeology.
“Coretta Scott King, the widow of Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr., once said, ‘Freedom is a never-ending process – you earn and win it in every generation.’
Rather than focusing solely on the urgency of now, ‘Be the One’ will explore a framework for how a legacy can be created, formulated, and produced to equip future generations of Black Britons to not only carry on the struggle, but to thrive and prosper as they do so.”
During the four-day event, two virtual days focus on Black wealth creation and Black beauty individuality, and well-being. The two hybrid days feature discussions and presentations on Black masculinity as well as activism and Black identity. Each day is infused with cultural expressions and performances.
Inequality Risk – The Black British Wealth Creation Report: Mind the Gap
The full report launched on 11 November 2021 and can be accessed here.
The report makes three key recommendations to mitigate the inequality risk in order to ensure that future generations of Black Britons can prosper: to increase access to capital, information, and opportunity.
Hear from a panel of experts, including 2022 Powerlist top honouree Jacky Wright, economist Trevor Williams, George the Poet, Tangy Morgan, Keith Levy, Gavin Lewis and Professor Mariana Mazzucato.
Have the chance to explore what this means for Britain’s Black communities in a deep dive session that hopes to be the start of a national conversation about building Black wealth.
For more information click here.
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