One of the key recommendations of the From Lament to Action report is the creation of a Racial Justice Directorate which will be coordinated by a Racial Justice Director and other support staff. The report also recommends that a body of the archbishop’s council (in our case, the Bishop’s Council) will oversee the work of the Racial Justice Directorate.
Ahead of the appointment of the Racial Justice Director, which is now a topmost priority for Church of England Birmingham (and the subsequent creation of this directorate), a 12-person Racial Justice Board, representing the diversity as well as the depth of wisdom and gifts of Church of England Birmingham, was inaugurated on 15 September 2022 by the Bishop of Birmingham.
The Racial Justice Board, which will give regular progress reports to the Bishops Council, will have the task of working with the bishops, the diocesan secretary, the Racial Justice Director and the reference group for the adaptation and implementation of the various aspects of the recommendations contained in the Lament to Action report, as well as helping us to fulfil our God given mandate to be a church that is not only welcoming to all but a church that values and appreciates the image and the gifts of God in everyone.
Members of the Racial Justice Board
Chair:
Revd Wayne Hamilton
Members:
Revd Sebrina Blackstock-Miller
Ms Dawn Brathwaite
Revd Tracy Brown
Revd Jerome Daniels
Revd Theresa Harris
Revd Eliakim Ikechukwu
Revd Ivor Lewis
Venerable Phelim O'Hare
Mrs Adeola Okoi
Revd Valerie Powell
Dr Jan Smart
The Rt Revd Dr Michael Volland, Bishop of Birmingham