The last few months has been a really interesting progression for us as a Community Interest Company. We are trying to build with a small team and we have met and worked with a notable amount of incredible people.

The Black and People of Colour organisations, individuals and allies we are proud to have connected with, evolved and continue to work with makes this journey less lonely.

We also do not proclaim to be a single entity of representation, but we want to encourage others to do the same. We know we will never speak for all of our communities. AND in that as a preface, if you would like some assistance to create a space to do so, please contact us for free assistance or we can connect you with others.

HOWEVER:

There have been behaviours that have made us feel quite uncomfortable -

• People/companies/orgs asking us to help connect with our community using our labour for free, giving them names, emails etc. of people who are part of our community to help them diversify

• People/companies/orgs contacting WAHS during Black History Month to contribute to free research, articles and comment in media, socials about things that historical trauma

• People/companies/orgs asking us (and a lot of the time last minute because they are desperate) to give key contacts of people to give personal views on the current climate concerning the West’s genocide (our words), and the wars that are happening in areas that the West has infected (again our words)

THIS IS THE BONUS THO!!!

We get so many of them contacting asking us (JUST BEFORE A FUNDING APPLICATION DEADLINE) to be a project partner, a name in a line, part of a “conceived project”, a light reference to help them flesh our their EDIA (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessiblity).

Well it’s game over. The disappointment of being cited as a reference in the EDIA sections of your application has been brought to light. Just because conversations have been had, just because emails have been exchanged, just because we have said “hello” in a public place doesn’t mean we work together.

UNLESS you are actively developing something with us, UNLESS you have agreed a project with us, UNLESS you have made your commitment, UNLESS we have entered into something that is of service to our community then TAKE OUR NAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH AND TAKE OUR NAME OFF OF YOUR FUNDING APPLICATION.

Wouldn’t it be great if funding applications had a section to go into more detail about the name drops?

We are part of a number of communities. Communities of Black People and People of Colour but it goes way beyond that.

We find a connection in one layer as we will never speak for all, but our intersectionality brings another sublime layer of learning and solidarity.

Fuck all of you that are trying to cash in on that.