Booska Paper exposes structural racism in the the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector and explored the impact of the pandemic on funding attitudes in the UK. It highlights the issues that need to be addressed to help us create more just and racially equitable society where all communities can flourish.
Booska Paper amplifies the voice of Black and Minoritised community leaders in the sector echoing what is being said in other quarters and has been said over many years.
The Ubele Initiative took a convening role, leading on this research on behalf of local, regional and national Black and Minoritised infrastructure organisations. Together, we are concerned about the fact that many Black and minoritised community organisations haven't secured emergency funding and face imminent cuts to vital services in the near future.
The process included small and large group conversations with Black and minoritised infrastructure and grassroot frontline organisations, as well as national funders.
We are using the Booska Paper as our title, as it reflects the Somali word for ‘position’.
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Booska Paper: Calls to Action
Based on the findings, we compiled the Booska Paper: Calls to Action that are concrete and tangible steps that funders can work towards to address structural racism in the sector, the funding landscape and to benefit society as a whole.
Organisations who have contributed to the Booska Paper and signed its Calls to Action include our allies #CharitySoWhite, Runnymede Trust, Race on the Agenda, Kanlungan Filipino Consortium, Imkaan and more. Together, we are declaring a shared stance, standing in solidarity with each other.
We urge funders and policy makers to transition to anti-racism by confronting entrenched inequalities and systemic racism in their practice and long-term strategies, by implementing the calls to action.
Booska Paper – Calls To Action Signatories:
Yvonne Field, The Ubele Initiative
Kadra Abdinasir, #CharitySoWhite
Halima Begum, Runnymede Trust
Maurice McLeod, Race On The Agenda
Patrick Vernon OBE, Windrush Campaigner
Susan Cueva and Edwin Briones, Kanlungan Filipino Consortium
Baljit Banga, Imkaan
Sado Jirde, Black South West Network
Naz Zaman, Lancashire BME Network
Charles Kwaku-Odoi, Caribbean African Health Network
Kahiye Alim, The Council of Somali Organisations
David Weaver, CORE
Annette Morris, Voluntary Action Leeds
Barbara Gray, KINARAA: Lewisham Black Infrastructure
Kirit Mistry, South Asian Health Action
Sarah Mann, Friends, Families and Travellers
Tansy Hutchinson, Equally Ours
Dr Vivienne Lyfar-Cissé, NHS BME Network
Yvonne Blake, Migrant Organising for Rights and Empowerment (MORE)
Reach Out 2 Kids (ROK)
Milli Singh, Community Impact UK
Judy Wasige, Information and Learning for All Project
Julie Agbowu, All Inclusive Training
Greater Manchester BAME Network
Manchester BME Network CIC
Andrew Brown, Croydon BME Forum
Guppi Bola and Noni Makuyana, Decolonising Economics
Humma Nizami, Race Equality Network
Bishara Mohamud, Anti-Tribalism Movement
Bethel Cynthia Alloyda, Your HR Service
Adil Mohammed Javed, Alchemy Arts
Dr Addy Adelaine, Ladders4Action
Joy Warmington, brap
Gregory Ashby, Money A+E
Derek Bardowell, Ten Years’ Time
Shruti Jain, Saheliya
Dominique Walker, The Anthony Walker Foundation
Jacqueline Graham, The Point Trust CIO
Shirin Housee, Women Together
Shanelle Webb, The Soul Shack LDN CIC
Ayisatu Emore, Idaraya Life C.I.C
Sam Vacciana, Bermondsey Employment Skills & Training CIC
Zlakha Ahmed, Apna Haq
Adil Mohammed Javed, Alchemy Arts
Dorian Leatham, Migrants' Rights Network
Doreen Joseph, Wecoproduce COC
Michael Thakoordin, Working Well Matters Ltd
Ali Ahmed, Race on the Agenda
Lara Oyedele, Black on Board Ltd
Gyan Tamang, Greenwich Nepalese Gurkha Community
Mya-Rose Craig, Black2Nature
Anita Shervington, BLAST Fest Ltd
Hillna Fontaine, Mabadiliko CIC
Zoe Portlock and Safia Jama, Women's Inclusive Team
Ishah Jawaid, WOC Azadi Collective
Elsie Gayle, Midwifery Conversations
Evie Muir, SAYiT Sheffield
Ebi Sosseh, Umoja Arts Network
Bryn Price, Safer Kent
Khaleda Noon, Intercultural Youth Scotland
Uma Mishra, The Racial Equity Index
Karin Woodley, Cambridge House
Franc Kunda, BAMER Hub (Sheffield)
Nasreen Aziz, You Asked We Responded
Irshad Akbar, Asian Business Development Network
Raggi Kotak, JEDI Consultancy
Vanessa Thomas, Diasporic Development
Khaldha Manzoor, Rochdale women's welfare Association
Cherifa Atoussi, Account3
Ishita Ranjan, Spark and Co.
Nuala Riddell-Morales, Carnaval del Pueblo Asociación
Tanagra Jabu Nala-Hartley, Mothers 4 Justice Ubuntu
Naomi Donald, Protect Our Daughters & Sons (PODS) CIC
Rob Berkeley, BLKOUT_UK
Caroline Ada, Swallow's Wings Puppetry
