RACE EQUALITY WEEK 2022: 7-13th FEBRUARY 2022
Race Equality Week is an annual UK-wide movement uniting thousands of organisations and individuals to address the barriers to race equality in the workplace.
The events of 2020, including the Black Lives Matter movement and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minority communities, has heightened public consciousness of race inequality.
Now there is a need to galvanise and maximise impact through a nationwide collaboration for real change.
A CATALYST FOR ONGOING CHANGE
Race Equality Week unites employees, focuses senior leaders, and unites organisations. It also encourages them to continue their activity and drive race equality all year long.
This year’s theme is #ActionNotJustWords
There are three ways you can get involved:
- Run your own activities and implement Race Equality Matters solutions
- Join public events
- Raise the profile of your organisation by sponsoring Race Equality Week
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION THAT CREATES THE CHANGE WE ALL WANT TO SEE
More than 2000 organisations took part in the first Race Equality Week in February 2021, building on their own race activity and/or accessing and implementing the solutions, tools and resources we have co-created with those with lived experience.
“Race Equality Week has the potential to be game-changing. In the way, it combines conscious allyship with a strong peer network.”
The emphasis is to drive meaningful action that makes an impact.
Race Equality will only be achieved when we all play a part.
Hence, we have bold ambitions to double the number of organisations and people participating in 2022 to make a bigger impact and for us to start to see the change we want to see and feel.
Join the movement. Unite in action this Race Equality Week to challenge race inequality across the UK.
“Race Equality Week provides a real opportunity for us to be a force for good.”
If you haven’t registered for the latest news and resources– register here.
“The passion was felt at the very beginning when clients were called to rise up and be part of Race Equality Week. The enthusiasm continued and just grew and has continued to grow throughout the process. A true eye-opener on racial inequalities. I can see that we will NOT go back to normal!!!”
SPOTLIGHT ORGANISATIONS
WHAT ACTION COULD YOU AND YOUR ORGANISATION TAKE?
WHY GET INVOLVED
Normal is 75% of ethnic minorities experiencing racism in the workplace.
Normal is a third of FTSE 100 companies having no ethnic minority board members.
Normal is graduates from minority backgrounds being twice as likely to be unemployed.
Normal is not good enough.
We have a unique opportunity now for real change so if you believe that Race Equality Matters, stand up now and take action!
I'm passionate about helping football to be a game where people of all backgrounds feel welcome and included from the terraces to the pitch, to the boardroom. Race Equality Matters also shares this vision, so we’re looking forward to working together in our mission to make football a game for everyone. Sanjay Bhandari Chairman | Kick it Out
Race Equality Week has the potential to be game-changing in the way it combines conscious allyship with a strong peer network - we've seen how powerful this combination can be in other scenarios and it's exciting to see it applied to tackling race in the workplace Su-Mei Thompson CEO | Media Trust
Many people have never heard their employers talk about race. That’s why we created the Race Fairness Commitment – a set of measures including talking about race in every induction and exit interview. We support Race Equality Week as driver of more conversations about racial justice, and commitments to real change. Raphael Mokades Founder and Managing Director | Rare
With organisations and individuals more open to have honest conversations and with public declarations of support for the Black Lives Matter movement, we have a real opportunity to turn this moment into meaningful change for the future of the workplace & wider society. Through Race Equality Matters we intend to empower and amplify the voice of ethnic minority employees and provide organisations, networks and individuals with the insight, tools and resource to drive effective action for sustainable change. Raj Tulsiani CEO & Co-Founder | Green Park
As Lord Mayor of the City of London, diversity and inclusion was at the heart of my role. I'm glad to say that we have seen some progress, particularly on gender and LGBTQ+ b ut we know there is much more to do, especially on race. Race Equality Week, such a simple but brilliant concept, provides everyone with the perfect opportunity to keep the momentum for change going, and even accelerating. Dame Fiona Woolf DBE, DL Former Lord Mayor of London (2013/2014)
Race Equality Week provides a real opportunity for each of us to be a force for good Dominic Christian Global Chairman | Reinsurance Solutions, Aon
Diversity UK is pleased to be a founding partner of the Race Equality Matters because progress on improving race representation at all levels in corporate life, civil society and the public sector in Britain has been too slow. We all need to work towards building back the trust and support of the disadvantaged and disenfranchised and Race Equality Matters is the ideal flag bearer for this progress. Lopa Patel Chair | Diversity UK
As Lord Mayor of the City of London, diversity and inclusion was at the heart of my role. I'm glad to say that we have seen some progress, particularly on gender and LGBTQ+ but we know there is much more to do, especially on race. Race Equality Week, such a simple but brilliant concept, provides everyone with the perfect opportunity to keep the momentum for change going, and even accelerating. Dame Fiona Woolf DBE, DL Former Lord Mayor of London (2013/14)
Why do we need Race Equality Week? Quite simply because we do not have race equality and, until we do, we have to do everything we can to achieve it through the kind of action and collaboration that Race Equality Week can mobilise. I urge every organisation to participate. Nicholas Cheffings Senior Counsel | Hogan Lovells
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
There are multiple options, which have been developed in collaboration with ethnic minority stakeholders who believe that it will help make an impact.
Your organisation can opt for one or any combination of the following, the commitment does not end after Race Equality Week, there is still a lot of hard work to go.
WHAT TO EXPECT
We will support organisations with:
- Participants resource pack: Promotional materials; PR & Comms messaging and top tips
- Webinar how to workshops for the initiatives including the pin badge campaign, Safe Space and the BIG Promise.
- A network – Exchange of ideas and support with other organisations.
- Thought leadership and insights.
What it’s not:
- Putting up a slogan.
- Having a conversation with ethnic minority employees with no follow up action to create meaningful change.
- Putting the sole responsibility on your Race Network or ethnic minority employees.