The Future of Black Activism in the UK

Join us as we welcome Reverend Al Sharpton, a renowned civil rights leader and social justice advocate. With decades of experience in the movement for equality and justice, Reverend Sharpton's words will be sure to inspire and empower those who have dedicated their lives to fighting for a better future.

The event will bring together active, aspiring activists, as well as those who have previously campaigned on race equity, social justice, and community development issues.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the most influential voices in the civil rights movement and gain valuable insights from his experiences as an activist.

The discussions will focus on several key themes, including:

• How do we promote the importance of ethical leadership and ensure greater resilience to avoid exhaustion and burnout?
• What lessons have been learnt from the history of Black justice campaigns and activism in the US and UK?
• How can we collectively work smarter and improve cooperation around Black-focused campaigns in the UK and internationally?
• An intergenerational approach? How do we promote the importance of ethical leadership and ensure greater resilience to avoid exhaustion and burnout?

Who is it for?

Activists, campaigners, allies and those working for social justice, community development issues and a better future for Black people .

Speakers will include:

This discussion will be co-chaired by Athian Alec, BEO Trustee , Liv Francis-Cornibert, Advocacy Acacdemy, Chantelle Lunt and Lee Jaspser

Reverend Al Sharpton, is a civil rights activist, Baptist minister, and television/radio host in the United States. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as a leader in the civil rights movement, and has been a vocal advocate for racial equality and social justice ever since. Sharpton has played a key role in many high-profile cases, including the Tawana Brawley case and the Trayvon Martin case, and has been a leading voice in the fight against police brutality. He is also the founder of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization that works to promote social justice through activism and education. In addition to his activism, Sharpton hosts a nationally syndicated radio show and a television program on MSNBC. He has also been a frequent guest on other news programmes, and continues to be a prominent and influential figure in the civil rights movement today. Reverend Al Sharpton has been a polarizing figure on the national stage. The biographical documentary Loudmouth, is the definitive look at his life and battles, written and directed by Josh Alexander, featuring President Barack Obama, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Senator Chuck Schumer, has its UK release on 6 February 2023.

Athian Akec is a young historian, writer and speaker. His main areas of focus are climate change, youth violence and racial inequality. He’s been profiled by The Times and was a cover star for i-D magazine’s 40th anniversary up and rising profile of Black activists, writers, photographers and actors. Athian previously served on the board of a youth charity and commission in Camden focusing on economic renewal following the pandemic, and was a special advisor to a Parliamentary inquiry into the teaching of Black history in British schools.

Athian was published by Penguin in September 2021 as a part of the “Black Joy ” collection with an essay on the Black British cultural renaissance.

Liv Francis-Cornibert is a strategist, writer and activist who is passionate about social justice and committed to lifelong learning. She is co-founder of Legally Black UK. As an alumn and Changemaker at The Advocacy Academy for over 5 years, she has and continues to facilitate social justice training and workshops around race, abolition and community care. Having written her English Literature dissertation on slavery as an ongoing catastrophe in neo-slave narratives, she continues to explore and theorise responses to the afterlives of slavery through as many mediums as possible particularly literature and art, and at her day job as a creative strategist.

Chantelle Lunt is a young Black writer, presenter, educator, and activist based in Liverpool. She founded the Merseyside BLM movement and Merseyside Alliance for Racial Equality CIC while studying at university. Chantelle has an MA in Criminology and Social Policy from LJMU. As an educator, Chantelle specialises in the experiences of children in care, policing and black history. She is a regular contributor to activist events in London and across the UK, with organisations such as BLM UK, Kill The Bill, and Extinction Rebellion.

Lee Jasper is a politician and race relations activist. Lee is a Policy and Organisational Development Training Consultant, Chair Alliance for Police Accountability Project Steering Group, Co-Founder Operation Black Vote / BARAC UK / Blaksox, Strategic Adviser Black Men 4 Change and Black Impact, Board Member Youth Futures, Vice-Chair BAME Lawyers 4 Justice and Chair Lambeth Youth Safety Forum.

This event will be hosted by the Black Equity Organisation (BEO) in partnership with the Alliance for Police Accountability (APA) and The Advocacy Academy.

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