In this episode Jo, Orlene and Michael set the scene for the series by discussing the need for improving racial literacy and the imperative need for anti-racist action.
They consider aspects of language and the discomfort that often present a block to active engagement with issues of race and racism.
Related resources
Hackney Anti Racist Praxis Conference briefing paper (pdf 4MB)
Contributors
Jo Holmes
Jo is the Children, Young People and Families Lead at BACP, based within the policy team. Jo has a background in youth justice, youth work, extended schools and eventually school counselling. Jo leads on policy and campaign work linked to the provision of free at the point-of-access Government funded counselling in schools and other accessible community settings.
Orlene Badu
Orlene is an author and leadership consultant at Orlene Badu Consulting. She's passionate about the education and personal development of all children irrespective of background, and specialises in building and sustaining successful leadership teams to drive ever-improving outcomes. She has previously worked throughout the education sector, as a headteacher, school improvement partner and system lead for Hackney’s Young Black Men’s project. She is driven by the education of black children and young people and ensuring access to opportunities for all.
Michael Golding
Counselling has been a thread running through Michael's life for the last 30 years. During this time he's also worked at senior management level within the not-for-profit healthcare sector and he continues to support NHS and other senior professionals as an executive coach.
Michael has been a CEO, board member and national advisor and has learned to appreciate the need to balance these multiple perspectives and that we must always be careful which we choose to privilege over the others. He's also established a private counselling and supervision practice in Essex. He joined the BACP Board in 2020 and is now Deputy Chair.