Dear Aspire Black Suffolk Community,
As we reflect on the past month, we are both proud and inspired by the incredible work and resilience shown by our team and community. Despite the challenges, we’ve made significant strides in our mission to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion across Suffolk and beyond. Here’s a recap of our major accomplishments and developments:
Standing in Solidarity During Challenging Times
This month, we witnessed the unrest and riots that shook communities across the country. In response, our Director of Business Development, Ellisha Soanes, sent out a message of solidarity, expressing our support for the global majority who are facing difficulties during these turbulent times. At Aspire Black Suffolk, we stand with our community, reaffirming our commitment to social justice and unity.
Progress with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
We are excited to share that our work with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is moving forward at a strong pace. We’ve been actively engaging in sessions with the Jobcentre, focusing on enhancing accessibility for the global majority. These efforts are part of our broader initiative to ensure that all communities have equal access to opportunities and support.
Empowering Educators Through Membership
Ellisha Soanes, our Director of Business Development, is in the process of launching our new Educational Membership initiative, aimed at supporting educators in creating more inclusive and equitable learning environments. This membership offers access to valuable resources, including the "Elimu - Black History interactive educational book," alongside comprehensive training and mentoring opportunities. Ellisha's commitment to advancing social mobility and equality in education is at the heart of this initiative, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on schools and communities across the region. If you are interested in finding out more about the membership, click this link:
Young Black Boys Programme Expands
Franstine Jones, our Director of Compliance, has been leading our Young Black Boys Programme - Rise Up, Wise Up, which is now entering a new term. We are thrilled to welcome a new group of Year 9 students from schools across Suffolk. This mentoring programme is designed to empower young Black and Brown boys, providing them with the support and guidance they need to succeed. Schools interested in learning more about this impactful initiative are encouraged to reach out to Fran directly.
Innovative Partnerships with Suffolk Libraries
Our Learning and Development Lead, Tonia Wilson, has been busy working collaboratively with Suffolk Libraries on their Beyond the Baseline initiative, which includes a series of engaging activities and interactive workshops, celebrating black music in Suffolk, set to take place over the coming months. In addition, she is also working with libraries to create a series of community-engagement events. Tonia’s passion for social justice and EDI continues to drive our work forward in meaningful ways.
Youth Borard and New Advisory Members
We’re also pleased to welcome Abi, our new Youth Lead, who has done a full-circle. She attended our mentoring programme, focusing on EDI peer mentoring over a year ago, she then went on to volunteer, became an #iWILL ambassador and has now returned to ABS to lead our Youth Initiatives, already supporting our Youth Charter commitments. In addition, we’ve welcomed Rakesh, who will play key roles in strengthening our communications and fundraising.
Looking Ahead
As we move into the next few months, our calendar is packed with exciting events and initiatives, all leading up to our third anniversary as a community interest company. We recently had a productive away day, where we were joined by entrepreneur Julian Hall, who shared invaluable insights, and Veronica Martin, OBE, who provided us with new strategies for accessing finance. The future is bright, and we can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our shared mission. Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to get involved.
Warm regards,
The Aspire Black Suffolk Team
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