Our anti-racism commitments
We aim to be intersectional, consciously inclusive and anti-racist in all that we do. But we also recognise that we can, and should, do more.
With the help of our advisory board and stakeholders, we have built a set of 5 commitments for 2022. We are learning, and this is a work in progress.
We invite you to share your thoughts and hold us accountable – email hello@beherlead.com with your feedback, questions and ideas.
Commit to learning and change
We will continue to learn and change through…
inviting speakers and workshop facilitators from Black and minoritised backgrounds to deliver our training and participate in our events
educating ourselves internally through reading, training opportunities and ongoing discussion
This academic year we will also…
thread discussion of race and inclusion and equity issues into every teacher training session and board meeting, including ‘uncomfortable’ discussions
dedicate specific training events and workshops to these issues
2. Amplify the voices of girls and non-binary young people from Black and minoritised ethnic backgrounds
We will continue to involve girls and non-binary young people from Black and minoritised ethnic backgrounds...
in our zine
as co-hosts for events like our conference
This academic year we will also involve girls and non-binary young people from Black and minoritised ethnic backgrounds...
in strategic decisions, as part of our board and stakeholders’ committee
in our programme development, through co-creation and focus workshops and as training co-facilitators
in our wider network, through monthly social media spotlights
3. Diversify our team, board, committee and network of teachers
Currently…
approx. 50% of our champions, 30% of our board and committee members, 33% of our team, and 25% of our teachers are from Black and minoritised ethnic backgrounds
This academic year we will…
target teachers from Black and minoritised ethnic backgrounds in our recruitment strategy, with a target of 50%
work to make the programme more accessible for teachers from Black and minoritised ethnic backgrounds on the programme
4. Diversify our programme and events
We will continue to…
seek feedback from a diverse range of stakeholders as we develop our programme
integrate discussion of race, intersectional feminism, inclusion and equity issues into workshop and training materials and delivery
This academic year we will…
co-create workshop resources and design our programme so as to centre the experiences of students and teachers in the Be Her Lead groups
integrate activism into the programme so that Be Her Lead can be utlised as a platform for anti-racist work in schools
5. Influence schools, sponsors and other institutions we work with
We will continue to…
ask schools to agree to our inclusion policy before starting the programme
promote the work of partners and champions from Black and minoritised ethnic backgrounds with schools we work with
This academic year we will…
ask schools, sponsors and other institutions we work with to agree to these commitments
challenge them with difficult questions and conversations about inclusion and equity issues
expect sponsors and other funders to work directly with our stakeholders, listening and learning from their experience
Our inclusion policy
We will not tolerate sexism, homophobia, racism, transphobia, nor oppressive language or behaviour based on any structural inequality, including disability, socio-economic status, sexuality, age, education, religious affiliation or gender expression.
We recognise the need to be actively anti-racist, both in our outward-facing work and in the way our organisation runs internally. We are committed to making space, giving voice and using our influence to support people of colour and minoritised ethnic backgrounds.
Our definition of ‘women’ includes all those whose identities include women. We reject the equation of gender with biological sex, as well as binary conceptions of gender. We want our programme and network to be inclusive, relevant and welcoming to trans women and non-binary people.
We try to adapt our programme, output and opportunities wherever possible to meet accessibility needs, including those related to disabilities, mental health issues, and caring responsibilities. At the moment, due to limited resources, we often rely on specific needs being communicated to us, but we are working to become more fully accessible.
While our programme, virtual coffees and network events are designed for teachers and students whose identities include women and non-binary, male allies are invited to join the conversation at public events such as our conference.
Our values
As an organisation we strive to be...
Collaborative
Creating intergenerational, non-hierarchical spaces
Emphasising listening and learning from each other
Encouraging everyone to lead, together
Empathetic
Being honest and vulnerable in our communication
Paying attention to emotional needs and individual experience
Building frameworks for respectful conversations
Engaged
Amplifying marginalised voices
Staying engaged with wider conversations and politics
Being brave, reflective and willing to evolve as an organisation