The Black Seeds Environmental Social Justice Network (BSN)
Having successfully set up the Black & Green Programme in Bristol for Ujima Radio which has ran for a decade, Roger Griffith MBE is now co-curating the Black Seeds Network with Gnisha Bevan a consultant and UWE Bristol Masters Student.
Black Seeds Environmental Social Justice Network provides a platform for environmentalists of colour to socialise, gain support, seek opportunities, develop innovation, knowledge and expertise on environmental issues. We will grow ideas and ensure more representation within the environmental movement. 2020 has brought renewed focus to challenges in environmental social justice and racial inequality. The time is ripe for a supportive structure programme that ensures Bristol’s environmental sustainability movement is inclusive, representative and meets future challenges.
Creating An Environmental Justice & Race Equality Network
Members of Bristol’s Black Asian and Ethnic Minority (BAME) communities have historically been under-served in local activism within the environmental movement. This is despite Bristol being European Capital (2015) and the home to many Black Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) environmental professionals. The success of the Black & Green Ambassador programme began to redress this systematic imbalance and its re-launch with National Lottery funding will continue these positive steps and create a new legacy.
Unlocking the potential
These programmes will nurture a new generation of activists and enable them to flourish. We seek to meet the need for community engagement and give voice. We will seek to support and enhance the work of the Black & Green Ambassadors. We will co-ordinate and showcase new talent and bridge the representation gap. We have tapped into a diverse wealth of highly skilled people working within the sector, and we have listened to community members and the next generation of leaders.
Blacks Seeds Network activities will include: Skills Development, Networking & Events, Information sharing & online seminars, Media opportunities, Talent Development, Research Assignments, Marketing and Communications, Community Engagement and Cohesion and developing regional, national and international links.
The project will be incubated within Roger’s social business at Creative Connex. Our team will deliver strategic leadership, marketing materials, social media, partnerships, funding advice and support services for the project. Gnisha will also provide project management and engagement with a brand-new set of environmentalists of colour and create new partners.
For further information please email
creativeconnex.org 