Reflections on the National Anti-Racist Practice Conference 2023

BASW's Anti-Racism Lead, Shantel Thomas shares her reflections on the recent inaugural National Anti-Racist Practice Conference- "Moving from Words to Action."

The Inaugural National Anti-Racist Practice ‘moving from words to action’ Conference was planned, organised and hosted by three members of the Anti-Racism Movement (A.R.M), Shantel Thomas, Nimal Jude & Millie Kerr, on behalf of the Social Work Education Anti-Racism Network (SWEARN). 

The event was held on Tuesday 25th April 2023 at Senate House, Royal Holloway, University of London and supported by BASW and What Works for Early Intervention and Children’s Social Care. 

The target audience was senior leaders, academics, and practitioners from across the UK and we wanted them to leave feeling inspired, empowered and reinvigorated to continue the emotionally heavy work we do in the anti-racism spaces.  Aside from being a networking event and a space for us to reconnect and recharge, we wanted delegates to:

  • Develop ideas and strategies to promote and implement Anti-Racist Practice personally, professionally and within organisations.
  • Enhance their knowledge skills and practice relating to Anti-Racist Practice
  • Consider how they can build on networks and hold each other to account, and
  • Make a clear pledge for action -What will they do this week, month, 6 months, next year and beyond.

We were intentional about selecting panelists with experiences from across the sector (and geographically) including people with lived experience of services, students, newly qualified social workers (NQSW), academics, anti-racist activists, trainers, coaches, and senior leaders - to bring a broad perspective to the discussions as well as an ‘edgy, highly sought after, international’ keynote speaker and author, Rosemary Campbell-Stephens. 

The A.R.M. was born out of a conversation between 3 black women at Community Care Live 2022.  We are all working in the anti-racism space, and all needing a sacred space to heal, grow and nurture ourselves and each other.  ‘One of the most important ways we sustain ourselves is by building communities of resistance – places where we know we are not alone’ bell hooks.  We crave a space where we do not have to apologise, explain, or make excuses for who we are.  However, we are most interested in action; the doing for ourselves because ‘The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house’ Audre Lorde.  The A.R.M group meet every last Friday of the month so do contact me if this is a space for you.   

Event organisers pictured left to right: Millie Kerr, Shantel Thomas and Nimal Jude
Event organisers pictured left to right: Millie Kerr, Shantel Thomas and Nimal Jude

Feedback from Delegates and Next Steps?

‘…Thanks for arranging and facilitating such an amazing conference on Tuesday. I left feeling enthused and energised, and it was great to get to meet and connect with people in person’.

 ‘What an event, thank you all for an engaging, thought provoking and inspiring conference.  I look forward to the next instalment’.

‘So grateful to have been able to attend this thought-provoking event and become part of a community that is active in its goal of creating Anti-Racist organisations.  Learning from and networking with, some of the most influential people in their field was inspiring and has given me so much to take back to ….’

‘Thank you so much Nimal, Shantel and Millie, panel contributors and Rosemary.  I left totally, nourished and excited on the next steps to drive change and celebrating this movement’.

‘Fantastic event, great insight’

‘So honoured to have been part of this challenging and inspiring event.  To have been seated amongst such giants was truly humbling.  Looking forward to seeing our ‘words become action’. 

‘I was uplifted, encouraged and inspired attending the antiracism conference and meeting many of you in person.’

My Personal Reflections

Although Anti-Racism is emotive, complex and intense our aim was to enable delegates to leave feeling inspired, empowered & reinvigorated and, judging by the feedback, our mission was accomplished with great success. 

Senior leaders and esteemed academics attended from all corners of the UK- Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Hull, Leeds, Kirklees, Durham, Wakefield and London.  They travelled by train and plane as they needed and valued the space because we asked them to join us.  We had nearly 200 registrants for only 70 spaces, which is testament to the interest in becoming Anti-Racist Leaders in Social Work. 

But there were many leaders who weren’t in the room – the ones who really needed to be there and we reflected on this during the plenary session.  ‘Bring your boss to a conference day’ next year was suggested as an option. A director or other senior leader is less likely to not attend if s/he is a ‘plus one’ of an anti-racist activist.  We change culture one conversation at a time.  Incorporate racism and anti-racism in every conversation, meeting, and policy decision whilst being bold and brave, clumsy and courageous in challenging and calling out racism when you see it. 

Don’t underestimate the impact you can have, as seemingly simple acts can provoke meaningful and impactful outcomes - remember we all have agency.  Stay connected with us on all the socials as we have a lot of actions to take forward. 

#AntiRacistAction23 #AntiRacismMovement23

Maureen Mguni, Shantel Thomas, Wayne Reid, Pauline Sargeant & Cherelle Wilson-Morrison at the S.W.E.A.R.N Conference
Maureen Mguni, Shantel Thomas, Wayne Reid, Pauline Sargaent and Cherelle Wilson-Morrison