Race Equalities Taskforce – Launch Event

by Stuart Ashmore

Did you know that 45% of people living in the West Midlands metropolitan area may experience race inequality in their day to day lives?

The independent West Midlands Race Equalities Taskforce was created by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board and launched in 2022 to take action to improve equality of opportunity for all communities in the WMCA area.

The Taskforce believes that race, ethnicity and heritage should never be obstacles to having a fair start in life or the opportunity to reach your full potential and flourish.

The strategy (being launched at this event) sets out the steps the Taskforce wants to take over the next 3-5 years to help make that vision a reality.

It explains who the Taskforce is, why it was set up and:

  • The changes it wants to make – focusing on the issues where the WMCA and its partners can make the most impact, from helping people to get better jobs, transport and housing to tackling disparities in education, health and criminal justice. There is also an identified need to improve data, leadership diversity and cultural intelligence to make change possible.
  • The action it wants to see – making a real impact and identifying a number of ‘priorities for action.’ These ideas have been shaped by hard evidence, people’s real experiences and engagement with public service leaders.
  • The partnerships it needs to build – the Taskforce cannot deliver change on its own and hopes that this strategy becomes a call to action for the whole West Midlands. The aim is to enable, influence and mobilise change on a regional scale so that public services, businesses and communities are all doing more to tackle race inequality and make the region a fairer place for all.

The strategy is being launched as follows:

  • Where: Bethel Convention Centre, Kelvin Way, West Bromwich, B70 7JW
  • When: Friday, 15th September 2023: 4.30 to 7.30pm

Register by Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/west-midlands-race-equalities-taskforce-launch-tickets-699569700807