Racial Justice Network IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlon) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number: 1165804 Raclal Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 315 March 2021 Contents Page Reference and Administrative Details Financial Review Accounting policies Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements 9-18 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 The trustees of the charity present their Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2021. l. Reference and Administrdtive Details Name of Charity.. Racial Justice Network Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number: 1165804 Principal Office.. Bread and Rose5 14 North Parade Bradford BDI 3HT Bankers: Triodos Bank Deanery Road Bristol BS15AS Reporting Accountants.. Samuel K. Tslpotey, BA IHonl, FCCA, MSC Samuel AsSOClate5 36 Charcroft Gardens Enfield Middlesex EN3 7HA The trustees who served during the period to the date of this report are.. Dr Laura Teresa Loyola-Hernandez Chair elected 20.10.2020 Maureen Andrea Grant elected 20.10.2020 Sipilien Birani Treasurer elected 01.06.2018 Simon Mark Murray Secretary elected 01.01.2018 Executive Director: Peninah Wangari-jones Page 1 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Financial Review Financial Position Incoming Resources in the year amounted to £259,21412020- £127441 A surplus of £155,943 12020 - £89 deficit) was made in the year. At 31st March 2021 total funds amounted £174,76012020-£18,8161 of which £76,35312020-£15,7661 was restricted. Reserves Policy The trustees are required to ensure that free monies are available in each financial year to meet any reasonably foreseeable contingency. The charity will maintain a projection of income for at least one year ahead and will ensure that this continues to be derived from as wide a variety of sources as possible. They will take all necessary steps to ensure that at no time within this period would it be possible for the cessation of one or more funding streams to present so serious a challenge to the future of the organisation that it could not be managed so as to continue to provide a best value service. In reviewing the potential costs that could arise should a SiEnificant reduction in income be suffered, the trustees have determined that 'free' reserves should be maintained equal to 12 months of unrestricted total operating expenditure. Free reserves are defined as total unrestricted reserves less net fixed assets. This is equivalent to £95,286 for the year. Page 2 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Notes to the accounts l. Accounting Policies The principal accountinE policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding year. Basis of Preparation The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention in accordance the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORPI.. Accounting and Reporting by Charities, issued in March 2005. b) Charlty Ststus The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation ICIOI Fund AccountinE Unrestricted Funds comprise accumulated surpluses and deficits on general funds that are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the Charity's objects and that have not been designated for other purposes. Restricted Funds are funds subject to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal. d) Incoming Resources Recognition of Incoming Resources These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities1SOFAI when the charity becomes entitled to the resources the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources,. and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Resources Expended Recognitlon of Expenditure and Liabilities Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources. Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Costs of Charitable Activities These comprise those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. They include both costs that can be directly allocated to the charity's activities and costs of an indirect nature necessary to support these activities, shown as support costs in the accounts. Page 3 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Notes to the accounts Governance Costs These are the costs associated with the governance arranEements of the charity. They include the costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, trustees, meetings and the costs of any legal advice given to trustees on governance or constitutional matters. All costs are charged between the expenditure categories of the Statement of Financial Activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity lor project) are allocated directly; others are apportioned on an appropriate bas15. f) Volunteer Help The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees, annual report, where material. Fixed Assets Tangible Fixed Assets for charity's own use These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £l,O(X). They are valued at cost or, if gifted, at the value to the charity on receipt. A fixed asset acquired fully or partly from a restricted grant is included at its full cost of acquisition without netting off the grant proceeds and the grant reported as an incoming resource. Where the use of the asset such acquired is not restricted by the grantor, an amount equal to the Brant is transferred into a designated fund to be written off over the useful life of the asset in accordance with the recommendations of SORP 2005, paragraph 111. h) Depreciation Tangible Fixed Assets are depreciated so as to write off their cost less any estimated residual value over their useful lives at the following rates.. General equipment Other fixed assets ISYO reducing balance. 15% reducing balance. Page 4 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Racial Justice Network I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31st March 2021 which are set out on pages 8 to 17. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the CIO, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the CIO'S accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act. Independent Examiner's Statement The Charity's gross in¢om¢ ¢xc¢ed¢d £250.000 and I am qualiti¢d to und¢rtak¢ the examinalion bv being a qualifi¢d member of th¢ Association of Chart¢r¢d C¢rtified Accountanls (ACCA). I ILqve completed my examination and can confirn] tIL4t no material matters have coine to my attention in connection with the examination which gives ine cause to believe thaL in any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the forn] and content of accounts set out in the Charities {Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair. view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the exainination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Samuel Kwasi Tsipoteyth FCCA Samuel Associates 36 Charcroft Gardens Enfield Middlesex EN3 7HA 22 July 2022 Page 5 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Statement of Financial Activities {Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31st March 2021 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes Total 2020 Income and endowments from: Voluntary income 97,055 8,120 105,175 7,774 Charitable activities 13,500 140,539 154,039 5,000 Totsl 110 555 148 659 259 214 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 103 271 12864 Total 15,198 88,072 103,271 12,864 Net intomel{expenditure) 60 587 155 944 89 Net movement in funds 95,357 60,587 155,944 1891 Reconciliation of funds io Totsl funds brought fonvard 3,050 15,766 18,816 18,906 Total funds carried fonvard 174 760 Page 6 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2021 Unrestricted Restricted funds funds Notes Total 2020 Fixed assets Tangible assets 3,121 3,121 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 102,155 76,353 178,508 18,816 Current liabilities Creditors.. Amounts due within one year 16,8701 16,870) Net current assets 95,286 76,353 171,639 18,816 Netassets 98.407 76.353 174.760 18,816 Funds of the Charity io 98,407 76,353 174,760 18,816 The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 22 July 2022 and signed on their behalf by.. .Sipilien Birani................................................................... Treasurer Page 7 CIO number.. 116581)4 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Notes to the accounts Voluntsry income Unrestricte d funds Restricted funds Total 2020 Donations and legacies 89,055 6,520 95,575 7,774 Grants receivable Total 97,055 8,120 105,175 12,774 Donations and le acies Grants receivable Pro ect5 Total 2020 Unrestricte General fund 8,0(x) Collective Conversations Restricted 1,6(K) 1,600 Covid Project International Solidarity Restricted 1,500 1,500 Restricted Pastoral Support Restricted 1,000 Race & Climate Restricted 5,000 5,000 Research and Reports Restricted Stop the Scan Restricted 20 20 Unlearning Racism Restricted 60 Total restricted 6,520 1,6(X) 8,120 1,060 Totals for 2020 Page 8 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Notes to the accounts Charitable activities Unrestricte d funds Restricted funds Total 2020 Grants receivable 13,500 139,333 152,833 5,000 Training fees 1,206 1,206 Total 13,500 139 333 152.833 5,000 Grants receivable Training fees Total 2020 General fund Unrestricted 13.500 13,500 Collective Conversations Restricted 25,000 25,000 5,000 Covid Project Restricted 22,000 22.000 International Solidaritv Restricted 7,000 7.000 Pastoral Support Restricted 15,333 15,333 Stop the Scan Restricted 40,000 40,000 Unlearning Racism Restricted 30,000 1.206 31.206 Total restricted 139 333 Page 9 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Notes to the accounts Unrestricted fund5 Restricted funds Expenditure on charitable activities Total 2020 Direct salaries, Nl, and pension General admin 52,699 52,699 expenses Donations to community 9,656 43 1,096 1,139 Expensed equipment 1,627 1,450 3,078 General direct costs 418 16,591 17,009 12,520 Training Internet, phones and credit for communities 3,444 3,444 3,673 3,673 Interview fees 740 740 Communications & promotions 1,397 Meeting fees 940 Miscellaneous expenses 1,116 200 1,316 Totsl 15.198 79,893 83.098 12,520 Page 10 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Notes to the accounts Note 4 Icontinuedl Direct 5alarie5, Nl, and ension Internet, phones and credit for communities Donations to communit Expensed Genera equipmen I direct costs arried forward Funds Unrestricte General fund 43 1,627 10,075 11,746 Collective Conversations Restricted 15,189 721 15,910 Covid Project International Solidaritv Pastoral Support Race & Climate Research & Reports Restricted 4,688 1,096 1,450 1,150 3,425 11,809 Restricted 5.555 13.640 19,195 Restricted 9,248 9,248 Restricted 5,551 1,080 6,631 Restricted 3.377 3,377 Stop the Scan Unlearning Racism Restricted Total dlrect tharitable expenditure Restricted 5,712 248 5,960 1450 16 S91 Page 11 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Notes to the accounts Note 4 Icontinuedl Intervie Communications, promotions & sundr ex enses broueht forward meetinE fees Trainin Total 2020 General fund Unrestricted 940 Collective Conversations Restricted 15,910 15.910 200 Covid Project International Solidarity Pastoral Support Restricted 11,809 740 12,549 Restricted 19,195 200 19.395 800 Restricted 9.248 9.248 Race & Climate Research & Reports Restricted 6,631 6,631 Restricted 3,377 3.377 Stop the Scan Unlearning Ratism Total direct charitable expenditu Restricted 5,960 5.960 265 Restricted 195 Restricted 87,254 3,444 1.680 2.713 79.893 1,460 Page 12 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Notes to the accounts Note 4 Icontinuedl Support tosts Support and governantè tosts Governante costs Total 2020 Independent examination fees 3000 3.000 Trustee5' expenses 490 490 General governance expenses 250 250 187 Accountancy fees 398. 398 Archivin8 1,667 1,667 Bank charges 1,019 1,019 37 Expensed equipment 50 50 Miscellaneous expenses 175 175 Pension costs 175 175 Rent 150 150 Staff training 70 70 Telephone 102 102 Training 50 50 General admin expenses 33 33 120 Depreciation charge for the year 551 551 Total 344 Page 13 Racial Justice Network Flnanclal Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Notes to the accounts Note 4 Icontinuedl Percenta ge share based on staff tlme Total support and governance costs Direct charitable expendltur Total charitable expenditur Governanc e costs Suppor t costs Restrlcted Pro 2020 Collective Conversations 28% 1,047 1,243 2,290 15,910 18,200 Covid Project 9% 337 400 736 12,549 13,285 International Solidarity 11% 411 488 900 19,395 20,295 Pastoral Support 18% 673 799 1,472 9.248 10,721 858 Race & Climate 11% 411 488 900 6,631 7,531 Research & Reports 224 266 491 3,377 3,868 Stop the Scan 11% 411 488 900 5,960 6,860 265 Unlearning Racism Total restricted charltable expendlture 6% 224 266 491 6.822 198 loo% Net income is after charging: Depreciation Media equipment 551 Page 14 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Notes to the accounts Stsff costs, Includlng key management personnel and Trustees, remuneratlon Staff costs were as follow5.. 2021 2020 Wages and salaries 48,395 Social security costs 2,285 Pension costs 228 The average number of employees during the year wa5 2.912020- 01 No employee's remuneration exceeded £60,000 in the year. One trustee tlaimed travel expenses totalling £49012020-nill. Trustees are not remunerated for being trustees. Page 15 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Notes to the accounts Fixed assets Media equipment Totsl Cost At l April 2020 Additions At 31 March 2021 3.672 3.672 Oèpretiation At l April 2020 Charge for the year 551 551 At 31 March 2021 551 551 Net book value At 31 Marth 2021 3,121 3,121 At 31 March 2020 Unrestrlcted funds Restrlcted funds Total 2020 Current assets Bank current account balance 69,590 76,353 145,943 17,925 Paypal account balance 32,565 32,565 892 Cash at bank and in hand 102 155 76 353 178 508 Page 16 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Notes to the accounts Unrestrirted funds Re5trirted funds Total 2020 Current Ilabllltles PAYE 1.824 1.824 Net pay 1,776 1,776 Accrued expenses 3,000 3,000 Other 270 270 Total 6,870 6,870 As at 31st March 2021 io Funds Of thè charity As at 1st A ril 2020 Intomin in Unrestricted funds 3,050 110,555 115,1981 98,407 Restricted funds 15.766 148,659 88,072 76,353 Total fund5 259 214 103 271 174 760 Page 17 Racial Justice Network Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 Racial Justice Network Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31st March 2021 Natural classification of income and expenses Income Grant5 receivable Donations and legacies Training fees received Total income 162,433 95,575 1,206 259,214 Expenditure Direct Salaries, Nl and pension General direct project Costs General admin expenses Training Phones and credit for community Expensed equipment Independent examination fees Archiving Miscellaneous expenses Promotions Donations to community Bank charges Meeting fees Interview fees Depreciation charge for the year Trustee expenses Accountancy fees Governance expenses Community phone credit Pension costs Internet for communities Communications Staff welfare Telephone Staff training 52,699 17,009 9,686 3,494 3,255 3.128 3,000 1,667 1,491 1,240 1,139 1,019 940 740 551 490 398 250 248 175 170 160 120 102 70 Page 18 Rent Total expenditure Surplus/(Deficitl of income over expenditure 30 103,271 155,943 Page 19 ## **Trustee Annual Report 2021** ## The Racial Justice Network www.racialjusticenetwork.co.uk Instagram: @theracialjusticenetwork Twitter: @RaceJustice Facebook: Racial Justice Network 0 RJN Annual Report 2021 ## **Overview of charity** |**Overview of charity**|| |---|---| |Team|2| |Structure, Governance and Management|3| |Objectives and Aims|4| |Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document|5| |Summary of the main activities and achievements during this year|| |**Areas of work**|| |Internationalism:Kenya and Brazil|6| |Public Engagement and Media|7| |Collective Conversations: Black and Brown space|8| |Race and Climate Justice: 13th recommendation|10| |Stop the Scandal campaign|12| |COVID-19 action|13| |Unlearning Racism|16| |Pastoral Support|17| |Research and reports|18| |Informing and influence|18| |**Financial review and responsibilities**|19| 1 RJN Annual Report 2021 ## **Reference and administration details** **Charity name** Racial Justice Network **Other names the charity is known by** None **Registered charity number (if any)** 1165804 **Charity's principal address** Bread and Roses, 14 North Parade, Bradford. BD1 3HT ## **Names of the charity trustees and staff team** Sai Murray (trustee) Sipilien Birani (trustee) Maureen Grant (trustee) Laura Loyola-Hernández (trustee) Peninah Wangari-Jones ( executive director) Sharon Anyiam (project officer) Melany Zarate(project coordinator) Sarai Pinney (communications worker) Maia Kelly (project coordinator) Grace Deione (project coordinator) Mbuuaraa Kambazembi (administration assistant) 2 RJN Annual Report 2021 ## **Overview of charity** The Racial Justice Network (RJN) is a charity based in West Yorkshire, UK. Our goal is to address colonial legacies and challenging racial injustices. RJN brings together over seventy organisations and individuals from across West Yorkshire and beyond to proactively promote racial justice. We advocate and support individuals and groups to embolden confidence and skills to tackle challenges, and to run effective campaigns. We also support and encourage people to build solidarity, and to mobilise large communities of resistance to affect change. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** In the year 2021, we bid farewell to trustee Jannat Hossain. We are grateful for their input and continuing support. The current trustees Sai Murray, Sipilien Birani, Laura Loyola-Hernández and Maureen Grant continue to be a pillar of support, guidance of the organisation challenges and successes, and we look forward to developing our work and influence in the next few years. ## **Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document** (A) To develop the knowledge, capacity and skills of the members of racially disadvantaged communities in the north of England, especially racially minoritised communities, in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate more fully in society. - (B) The promotion of effective and positive action with and for the public benefit in particular by: - i) the elimination of discrimination. ii) advancing education and raising awareness. iii) conducting or commissioning research and publishing the results to the public. iv) cultivating a sentiment in favour of equity and equality. 3 RJN Annual Report 2021 ## **Objectives and Aims** RJN has a holistic, societal, environmental, spiritual and cultural repairs approach to address legacies of colonialism and end racial injustice. We are committed to tackling racism as it manifests at structural, institutional and interpersonal levels. We endeavour to be attentive to interlocking systems of oppression (for example: hetero-patriarchy, ableism, classism) whilst maintaining a focus on racism. We believe that our work is best achieved through collective action and decision making. As such we value work that is collaborative, and open to collective learning and sharing that recognises that vast knowledge and skills within our communities. We are keen to work in solidarity with groups and individuals who share our values, which are: - Open to learning and sharing - Work collaboratively and in solidarity - Be united upon a clear vision and purpose - Inclusive and centre those who are most marginalised Our aims - Organise and mobilise with racially minoritised communities and take positive and effective action. - Raise awareness about race inequality and injustice by listening and working with disempowered communities to challenge and hold powers accountable. - Bring racial justice into mainstream thought and build solidarity. 4 RJN Annual Report 2021 ## Our objectives: - Develop knowledge, skills and capacity of racially minoritised groups to participate more fully in society - Build a resilient community able to take positive and effective action on issues that affect them - Promote and create new paths to build a more equitable society - To collectively repair our (mis)education by enhanced awareness around race, racialisation and racism, locally, nationally and globally - To maintain Race Analysis as core to the network and push race on the ‘Agenda‘ - Be aware, consider and apply Intersections ## **Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects: Summary of work 2021** RJN team continued to run 8 projects by informing and influencing, training, mobilising and organising, conducting research and reports and utilising media. This work was carried out by the executive director, 6 staff members and 4 trustees, about 50 volunteer members and some support from our patrons and mentors. Trustees and members continue to be involved in operational as well as strategic running of the organisation for example report writing and research, statement, contribution to papers, articles, workshop facilitation, contribution to talks, team supervisions amongst other things. Trustees have also delivered talks in panels on topics relating to race, racism and racialisation, policing, technology, climate, migration. Trustees and the director meet every month. In addition, the growing work in RJN has meant that trustees have also delivered training, organised and facilitated events, been panelists or speakers at events, attended meetings with partners and been available for ongoing support to the director, the volunteers and fundraised during the year. The work has also been made possible because of a dedicated team of over 50 volunteers who have participated in and organised our events, facilitated events, 5 RJN Annual Report 2021 created, contributed to and maintain our website, delivered talks, delivered and co-delivered trainings, raised funds, written articles/blogs, run our social media without their skills, commitment and capacity this work would not have been achievable. The work has also been made possible by joint working, willing partners and friends who have supported, cited, affirmed and praised our radical work, acknowledged our authenticity and expertise, seen the importance of our work in their communities, places of work, decision making and so forth. ## **Summary of the main activities and achievements during this year** ## **Internationalism and international solidarity** We have continued to work with, learn from and share resources with our siblings across the borders. International solidarity came as and with the recognition that we cannot fight race injustice within borders particularly as our siblings in the majority world continue to suffer the effects of colonial legacies that exacerbate multiple injustices. ## **Decolonising education Kenya continuation** Following on from our decolonising education work and conference in Nairobi, Kenya January 2020 which saw a collaboration between The Racial Justice Network, Kenyan activists and artivists, the University of Nairobi, Africa Digital Media Institute and the University of Manchester this international solidarity and relationship have been maintained. The University of Manchester and University of Nairobi collaborated on a piece of research looking at experiences of colonialism via our director’s doctorate. Other collaborations have been invitations to present at two international conferences on the experiences, disparities and mitigations of marginalised communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. The presentations featured our covid campaign response highlighting multiple injustices and the resilience within the migrant communities. 6 RJN Annual Report 2021 Other international solidarity work has been continued exchanges, resource and knowledge sharing between organisers, activists, artivists, community development workers, unionists, academics in Kenya, Brazil, Germany and others. We have also invited international speakers and perspectives to contribute to our talks as was the case with Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Esther Stanford-Xosei , Dr. Christine Kahigi and Githuku Ndungi. All of the work and others planned continues to feed into the DECOLONIAL FRAMEWORK that was made available after the decolonising education Kenya 2020, ensuring it continues to be implemented in educational spaces, workplaces, and in the prospective international network. Documentary of the decolonise Kenya 2020 continues to be shared and watched by communities in the UK and abroad. See linked here TRAILER and the FULL VIDEO here. ## **Public and media engagements on race/colonial analysis** Our engagement with the public has been mainly on when we are invited to speak or when we organise our own talks like the collective conversations and Black and Brown spaces. Our invitations to speak on panels, public events, protests, at workshops and so forth has continued to grow to a point where we have been forced to turn down almost 50% of the requests. We were invited to speak in many local, national and international forums, panels and events. Amongst them were speaking at BIASAN Bradford, Friends of the Earth, Ma’at festival in Portugal, Millside Bradford, Bradford university, Health forums, Bradford Council, Kill the Bill protests, University of Nairobi, Reed Exhibitions, Resist and renew, media reform, decolonising economics and estimate the reach to be over 10,000 people. As well as the short documentary produced in 2020 which was circulated widely including promoted as a recommendation by local picture house, we also produced and 7 RJN Annual Report 2021 circulated short videos and infographics on activities and campaigns we are working on like stop the scan, covid campaign action, 13th framework, 5 year anniversary, talks that we have featured on our own platforms. We have steadily increased our followers over this time. On issues relating to race, movements, migration, race injustice, we have also participated, responded to and turned down media requests. Amongst media productions are BBC Leeds, BBC Look North, Radio Aire, BCB radio in Bradford, BBC Worcester, BBC Hampshire. We have also had newsprint coverage on magazines and news articles like the Wire, Guardian, Examiner and T&A . We have continued to publish articles and blogs on our own website with some of our articles having readership. We also published several reports during the year, prompting action, conversations and changes within institutions and authorities for instance **Hate crime and systemic report** , highlighting experiences and impact on Black and Brown communities. Link here **Our communications** have also been of significance and vital in our work. With a big following across our media platforms, we have been able to tell our stories,challenge and raise awareness whilst giving a platform to racially minoritised issues and other marginalised voices. We have utilised our media to reach communities, start campaigns, respond to ongoing issues and share reports. We have also collaborated with a number of organisations who have done the same i.e Northern monk, Space two and Reed Exhibitions. We have also acknowledged and celebrated outstanding transnational communities/individuals, campaigns. ## **Collective conversations** Our Collective Conversations are a form of public engagements to continue drawing race analysis and intersections of race and other oppressions. The sensitization and conscientisation are offered in the forms of talks, panels, forums, and most recently 8 RJN Annual Report 2021 webinars. Due to the pandemic, RJN was forced to rethink and find new ways of continuing engagement with the public on issues relating to race by moving to online platforms and recording then resharing due to accessibility. We have held several others on topics like Race and Policing, Race and climate justice, Reparations, Conversation with internationally renowned writer, academic **Ngugi wa Thiong'o** (link here), Technology and impact on Black, Brown and other marginalised communities. ## **Black and Brown space** Having restarted our Black & Brown Space amidst the Black Lives Matter movement resurgence as the world exploded to protests and actions after the murder of George Floyd, there was an expectation for Black and Brown communities to not only get involved in the action but also provide answers on how we need to end racism. Due to staff changes and skill sets, we chose to focus our energy on caucusing some of the mixed spaces but also offering individual support to those who step in. You can watch previous clips of our Black and Brown space here. However, we have continued to offer relational meetings and other one to one support for our Black and Brown who reach out to RJN. 9 RJN Annual Report 2021 ## **Race and Climate Justice; 13th recommendation** The 13th recommendation was conceived following the involvement of Trustee Sai Murray and Director, Peninah Wangari-Jones, in the Leeds Citizens Jury addressing climate action, in which their input was omitted from the final 12 recommendations. **See their input video** here. The recommendation which we are now referring to as a framework highlights the need for an international perspective on climate justice, understanding towards the interconnectedness/interdependence of oppressions and struggles, and addressing the colonial legacies which perpetuate these struggles through exploitation of the majority world. Which are what they are considering to be the three tenets of the 13 th framework The launch of the thirteenth recommendation gave an opportunity for us to reframe the narrative, decolonise the climate movement and see the interconnectedness/interdependence of climate to social justice and to universal oppressions rooted in colonialism. Act local, think global mantra to say any and all recommendations on action moving forwards must take account of and engage with the tenets. 2021 has been a year of deepening and embedding the framework above within climate movement regionally, nationally and internationally. Steered by a group of committed organisers, activists and academics. We also began to sustain this work with some financial resources from the lottery via the climate action Leeds work. This group aims to continue to open collective spaces of reflection that aim to highlight the interconnectedness of climate and social justice with universal oppressions rooted in colonialism. In order to achieve this, we refer to the 13th recommendation. We emphasize that we can not leave the struggles of the majority world while planning changes here in the Minority world or the Global North. 10 RJN Annual Report 2021 The pandemic allowed the group to expand its borders and now has individuals contributing to the space not only from Yorkshire but also other parts of the country as well as internationally. This has allowed for the continued reflection on what internationalist solidarity means for the group. During those reflections, embedding the 13th framework led to the realization of methods for the community envisioned to take action. The mechanisms by which we aim to forge change continue to transform and develop as we grow in trust with one another, which is especially important when trying to centre how race has only divided the discourse around climate to center those who are perpetuating the crisis. For that reason we have introduced working groups alongside the race and climate group; **1. External interventions:** A space where we collaborate to deliver talks, training and mentorship following the visions of RJN. The group has been able to participate in various external events hoping to promote the 13th and the vision of RJNSome of the talks about the 13th framework were with friends of earth and ‘Maat talk with museum of African xx. **2. Reparations campaign:** A group that is working towards understanding the process, implementation and delivery of reparations, sharing previous knowledge from previous work happening in Bristol. The reparations group hopes to continue its learning process as we have been slowly but surely been creating a structure that hopes to harness leadership from Black and Brown communities to deliver a plan which truly represents the needs of the community. This process is at the core of anti-racism work, as it demands awareness of the important education of not only ourselves as individuals, but also the legal system and economic system. 11 RJN Annual Report 2021 ## **3. Monthly learning space:** Monthly learning meetings led by our dedicated team of volunteers, organisers, facilitators continued and will continue to apply learning as well embody and embed the 13th framework with topics on language, colonialism, solutions, degroth strategies, conservation amongst others. 2021 also the extension of this learning space with further deepening sessions to be run by our sibling organisation and RJN supporter Mama D 12 RJN Annual Report 2021 ## **Stop the Scandal Campaign** Yorkshire Resists a collective of activists, groups and organisations working together to resist the hostile environment within the racial justice network, has continued to work together on the stop the scan campaign and well as the covid-19 action. Stop The Scan is a campaign to resist the extension of mobile biometrics used in police stop and search connected with Home Office data. In 2021 we published two reports relating to the stop the scan campaign. One was on the **public's perception of the biometric fingerprin** t link here after 115 people completed the national survey. The second report **Stop the scan:police use of mobile fingerprinting technology for immigration enforcement** (link here) published in June 2021, was done in partnership and as a collaboration with Queen Mary University London, following FOI of who was getting scanned and outcomes. We also hosted several collective conversations with Yorkshire Resists to share findings and recommendations of the reports as well as our ongoing concerns on stop the scan campaign and its connection to race and policing. The events discussed how the hostile environment has impacted policing within Black, Brown and migrant communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. ## **COVID-19 response campaign and action** The pandemic and lock-down announcement in March 2020 and other consecutive lockdowns and lifestyle changes brought huge pressure and need to adapt to new changes. As well as engaging with local authorities about what they were doing to support marginalised communities, the Racial Justice Network decided to conduct a 13 RJN Annual Report 2021 listening exercise by contacting our members, communities and individuals we engage with to find out how they were coping with the changes. We found that despite food and parcel drop-offs, and encouragement to go online being the done thing, communities we work with could not. The poor, migrant communities in precarious jobs, working in a grey economy, without recourse to public funding, undocumented and destitute individuals seeking asylum with no families, who were in dire situations. There is a real digital divide, with English not being a first language, computer illiteracy, a lack of devices and finances to be connected digitally and a misinformation on COVID19, triggers and past traumas, mental and social support, over occupation, domestic abuse, and the hostile environment were amongst some of the ‘ ’ issues they were facing. Which prompted us to launch a Covid-19 call to action campaign. The campaign focused on three things, firstly, to raise awareness about the plight, finding and sharing resources. Secondly, to assist in connecting the community groups and leaders together, and share resources. Thirdly, by engaging and working with these groups to lobby local and national authorities for better conditions. 2021 saw us continue to distribute the resources that had been donated to us, continue to listen and offer pastoral support to individuals and groups from migrant communities to overcome some of the challenges they were facing. We also published a report **Between a rock and a hard place; migrant led communities responses to covid-19 in West Yorkshire** . See link here This report came out of conversations and interviews with 10 amazing community advocates running projects and supporting over 1000 communities regionally and internationally through the pandemic. The report done in collaboration with Huddersfield university and Queen Mary university, London highlighted multiple injustices, uplifting and celebrating the difficult, innovative and resourcefulness within marginalised communities. 14 RJN Annual Report 2021 ## **Unlearning Racism Programme** Over the last 3 years the Racial Justice Network has been developing a unique model of political education called the Unlearning Racism Collective. What started off as a short training, has developed into a powerful programme which works with people who identify as white, to identify and challenge their own and others’ racisms, develop their anti-racist practice and take anti-racist actions while building lasting relationships of trust and accountability with people of colour. Our unique model supports people who are aware of their own internalised prejudices through embedding the work within our Black and Brown, lived experience-led network and accountability structures. In response to the surge in interest after George Floyds murder, we had over 1000 individuals, and 40 organisations (of up to 800 staff) expressing interest in Unlearning Collective's work. Following introductory webinars and grounding in antiracist practice to around 600 participants in 2020, we returned to longer and slower courses in 2021 . We started the year in a period of reflection, evaluation and development after the realisation that our capacity as a small organising group was overwhelmed, following the huge groundswell of demand placed on us and RJN in the wake of the cruel murder of George Floyd in 2020. A central theme of this year has been the development of our accountability model to reinforce our structures in order to more effectively show up for racial justice. This felt like a priority before we could consider scaling our work to meet demand, if we were to be integritous to our values. In response we have revised the Unlearning Racism Course content to be more oriented towards action throughout, and offered each course a dedicated Mentor, whose role is to support accountability as well as guide opportunities for action. Course mentorship is now generously offered by the phenomenal power team of Mama D Ujuaje, Esther Stanford Xosei and Peninah Wangari-Jones. 15 RJN Annual Report 2021 After this preparatory work, in July 2021 we invited white-identified residents in the North to enrol on individual or organisation-sponsored places on one of three Unlearning Racism Courses. In addition we’ve developed and trialled an Accountable Action Peer Support Group with members of the Unlearning Racism Collective which will be open to all current and future course alumni. Our intention for this space is for it to be responsive to needs of our Accountability Partners and Mentors who might send calls to action when opportunities for mobilisation or targeted action arise. Looking forward we will be continuing to develop our accountability model, and also expanding delivery to include Weekend Courses, and responding to growing demand from Organisations. ## **Pastoral support** : The Racial Justice Network offers pastoral support in strategising and moving ideas to action. We continue to receive emails and other messages from the public seeking help on matters relating to racial injustice. Although we are not able to support every individual, group or organisation who contact us, our dedicated team continue to respond, signpost and offer practical support to some. Most of the messages we receive are to do with racism within housing, employment, policing, health institutions and so forth, other requests for support have been in the form of people seeking to transform their institutions or themselves and wanting training or consultancy of some sort. 16 RJN Annual Report 2021 Unfortunately we are not able to support everyone who comes forward but some of what comes through is also fed into some of our other projects, advocacy with institutions involved and signposting. 1-2-1 support has involved working with individuals and groups facing injustice to strategise and plan actions. ## **Research and Reports** RJN conducted and published several reports in 2021 that have gone on to impact on practice. The pandemic, the murder of George Floyd also meant that we had to change our spaces of engagement and organising. Moving issues we listen to from our communities or injustices we observe to reporting or written form was in line with utilising our platforms, trust and relationships we have as well utilise ex[ertise and skills we have as a team to action. Speaking to powers that be, telling individual and community stories through oral and verbal format repeatedly not only exhausts, retraumatises but also desensitises those who are talking and listening. Written words also served as evidence. Public's perception of the use of biometrics fingerprint technology Between a rock and a hard place; migrant communities led responses to covid-19. Hate crime and systemic injustice Stop the scan; police use of fingerprinting technology for immigration enforcement We have also published articles and blogs throughout the course of the year on our WEBSITE ## **Informing and Influencing** Our director and team continue to attend or sit in key decision making and strategic spaces within the voluntary sector and other local authorities where they are able to raise issues happening on the ground. 17 RJN Annual Report 2021 RJN has created and coordinated several spaces to negotiate and highlight concerns on social and race injustice. For instance a meeting with the former crime commissioner Mark Burns and team, incoming Mayor Tracey B, Alison Lowe to talk about stop the scan campaign, reports and the hate crime and systemic injustice reports with support from Bradford councillor Richard Dunbar. Other involvement includes participating and facilitating spaces that impact on policy, practice and legislation. Examples of this include input, consultations and conversations with Tudor trust, Ubele, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, JRCT, Reed Exhibitions. ## **Other achievements** Coordination and the organising of spaces that brought several civil liberty organisations concerned about technology, policing and impact on marginalised communities which included DLR piper, Foxglove, JCWI, Awo, ORG, Liberty. Other groups we have engaged with on other racial and racial justice issues include united peoples movement, free2be me, Leedsno borders, anti raids network, antifacist network, Yorkshire resist, sisters uncut Leeds, netpol, unjust, rainbow junktion, pathras, Leeds Gate, Friends,Families and Travellers. Include increase in funds. We continue to be sustained by grants and funding bids for instance Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Tudor Trust, Awards for all and individual donations. Other notable donations include Cloud water, Reed exhibitions, Queen Mary University London, Joint bid to undertake climate action Leeds work and a recent successful bid to Barings foundation. We were also able to use promotions budget that we saved from not hiring venues during the pandemic to create merchandise and offer our volunteer organisers, activists, members, donors, staff team RJN merchandise that included T Shirts, Tote bags, badges amongst other things. 18 RJN Annual Report 2021 These funds allowed for our director and six staff members to be employed and get a salary. ## **Financial review and responsibilities** RJN operates a Triodos Bank account in the financial year of April 2020 and March 2021, a total of £17 925.41 was carried over, the annual income was £195 633.96 and a total of £106 345.21 in expenses. Expenses were spent on salary payment, rent, travel both national and international, event expenses, response to covid 19 with digital support and other miscellaneous payments. Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and - oversee the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ascertain the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that 19 RJN Annual Report 2021 the financial statements comply with the Charities Act. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. **Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees** **Peninah Wangari-Jones** **Position: Director Date:24.01.2022** 20