Meet The Charities: Black South West Network
BY CLEMMIE BORTHWICK
Meet Black South West Network: The charity that is addressing racial inequality across the South West.
“BSWN’s over-arching strategic intent is to build dynamic, independent, and strong Black communities, businesses and organisations that are empowered to flourish while challenging systemic barriers and forging a true path for themselves.” BSWN
FUZE is delighted to announce that its 2021 show will be in aid of BSWN, a Bristol-based charity that is a driving force for racial equality in the South West. BSWN’s vision is to create ‘a society in which inequality and discrimination on the basis of racial or ethnic categorisation are wholly and completely absent’.
BSWN is an incredibly innovative and creative charity run by a team of diverse and dedicated individuals who all contribute their knowledge, experience and world views in order to promote the charity’s values of; Equity, Inclusivity, Justice, Fairness, Honesty and Accountability.
BSWN engages with BAME people across Bristol’s communities in a variety of inspiring projects. Recently, BSWN was awarded a grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their Intangible Cultural Heritage Project which works with African Caribbean, African and South Asian communities to develop, preserve and exhibit their cultural heritage.
While BSWN works within the South West their mission is to help give agency to the voice of BAME people to construct a prosperous society for BAME people everywhere. BSWN outlines their work as falling under three broader areas: Cross-sector Enterprise and Innovation, Cultural Inclusion and Research and Knowledge.
One of the unique qualities of BSWN is its strong reputation for evidence-driven work which is based on its robust academic research. Through their research and impact reports, BSWN is filling significant gaps in knowledge by putting the focus on specific experiences, needs, wants and aspirations of the BAME communities in Bristol and the region.
BSWN is strengthening the voice of BAME communities in Bristol by communicating with decision-makers in the public sector arenas so that BAME voices are effectively heard e.g., the Mayor’s City Office.
FUZE is so excited to be partnering with BSWN, a charity delivering essential and empowering work. If you want to find out more about the amazing projects that BSWN are currently working on check out their website: https://www.blacksouthwestnetwork.org/
