Leeds Trinity University was the first University in Yorkshire to have achieved the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award. This award means as individuals we are able to critique, feedback and hold our University’s policies, statements, and practices to account.  

25 May marks the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd which saw the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement and tokenistic statements of solidarity. To ensure that our University’s statements are genuine, impactful and translated into action, we host an annual conference to provide a platform for Black people to share their lived experiences and influence changes from Higher Education (HE) institutions. 

On Wednesday 24 May, we will host our third Black Lives Matter conference where the conversations will focus on health, education and leadership.  

Racism manifests itself in many cancerous ways from tokenistic statements of solidarity to health disparities, inequitable educational outcomes, and a lack of representation of Black people in leadership roles. This year’s theme focusses on the interplay of physical and mental health, education, and leadership based on the lived experiences of Black people. The underlying theme of this conference is accountability, transparency and action.  

Eminent keynote speakers include Foluke Ajayi (Chief Executive, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust), Nathan Ghann (Programme Director, The Educate Group), Heather Paul (Senior Lecturer, Leeds Beckett University) and David Mba (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of the Arts London). You will also hear from anti-racist and intersectionality leaders including Dermot Daly (Senior Lecturer, Leeds Conservatoire), Ricardo Barker (Associate Professor, Leeds Trinity University) and Melina Healy (Learning Development Lecturer, St Mary’s University). There will be a panel led by Lewis Miles-Berry (PhD student, Leeds Trinity University) with students sharing their lived experience from different HE providers. 

There will be a panel discussion in which leaders in different sectors from the Leeds City Region and beyond will discuss the importance of anti-racism leadership and addressing racial inequities. The panel will feature Professor Charles Egbu (Vice Chancellor, Leeds Trinity University), Sharon Watson MBE, DL (CEO and Principal, Northern School of Contemporary Dance), David Mba (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of the Arts London), Dr Tamsin Bowers-Brown (Director of the Office for Institutional Equity, Leeds Trinity University), Anne Mwangi (Head of Race Equality Charter, Advance HE) and Simon Flowers (Executive Principal, Carr Manor Community School, CEO, Leeds Learning Alliance). 

This conference aims to encourage discussion, reflection and will challenge anti-Blackness in its many forms. The conference is in proud partnership with Go Higher West Yorkshire, the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Leeds Learning Alliance. In the mantra of Go Higher West Yorkshire, we need collaboration not competition to eliminate racism.  

We don’t need more statements of solidarity; we need more action. You can’t play with something and get people to respond emotionally if you’re not prepared to deliver. It’s not too late to act and move beyond lip service. 

The Black Lives Matter: Health, Education and Leadership conference will take place in person on Wednesday 24 May, from 9.00am – 5.00pm.  For more information about the conference and to register visit the event booking page.

Shames Maskeen is a Lecturer in Psychology at Leeds Trinity University. He has organised this year’s conference with the help of colleagues and students.