The steadfast dedication to equity of the artists, curators, practitioners & researchers I've collaborated with over the last few weeks has reassured me that, in spite of mounting opposition & uncertainty, we can continue to embed fairness & representation in the cultural sector.

(1/4) With the Cass Review released today, we want to remind our wonderful trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming young people that there are many people alongside us who love, see & stand with you. We'll win with our communities' strength, joy and care.

'We believe their spirit is still there – it’s attached to those objects & it hasn’t been allowed to move on to the next place. So they’re upset, they’re distressed, & they need to be brought back to Country ... ' Dr Harry Van Issum GU_SocialCultural: sbs.com.au/nitv/article/q…

Bernie Grant passed away on this day in 2000. One of Britain's first black MPs, he spent his career dedicated to trade unionism and racial justice — and changed the political landscape of the country for good.

tribunemag.co.uk/2023/10/black-…

My debut for The Lead – inspired by the many flags around town, I wandered my home turf of Bolton to ask locals how Gaza is impacting them. The answer, overwhelmingly, was that they've been left without a political party to turn to.

thelead.uk/gaza-conflict-…

'... the act of convening opens a form of commons with those involved, a shared space that is not predicated on individual ownership or profit-making but on ideas & even sharing of resources that has potentially deep socio-cultural & even political value.' Dr John Wright

It's great to be able to channel our knowledge & expertise into AIM anti-racist programme in Wales, and to work with skilled consultants like Stephen Welsh and Isilda Almeida.

'But the need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind.' Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969.

It’s very impressive that President Biden is ‘outraged’ . It’s also very impressive that President Biden recently authorised a new shipment of arms. It’s even more impressive that this doesn’t seem to involve any kind of conflict between words and deeds.

“The irony is Manchester sold itself on the culture and then destroyed the conditions that created that culture.”

My latest for STAT, an interview with the ineffable Isaac Rose

statmagazine.org/its-not-just-y…

As a consultant for the AIM Re:Collections programme, I joined fellow programme consultant Isilda Almeida & strategic advisor Maya Sharma at AIU RACE Centre to discuss anti-racism, decolonisation & co-creation in museums. You can take a listen here: soundcloud.com/aim-435579158/…

I’m glad to have contributed to this story by Tavia Grant about repatriation, and the need to reduce the preservation mentality within museums that disallows communities from caring for their ancestral cultural items.

Without a doubt, Historic Environment Scotland has some of the most stunning settings for hosting workshops! The previous location was Stirling Castle & today it was the Holyrood Park Education Centre. Thanks to everyone who attended for generously sharing your co-creation knowledge & experiences

Catch the Giz a Job exhibition at Liverpool Central Library and Archives until 31 May! Made possible by #NationalLottery players, it brings together the stories and objects from people involved in the 1981 People's March for Jobs.

Read more about the project here: heritagefund.org.uk/projects/captu…

I'm off to Edinburgh today to reconvene with Historic Environment Scotland colleagues & lead a co-creation workshop. Since we last met, they've been progressing co-creation & diversifying decision-making with a variety of groups; check out their partnership with Young Scot youngscot.net/ysobservatory/…

Try to tap into the power within. It’s easy to feel powerless but the trick is to know that you can make a difference, however big or small. So your best to try, and you will be surprised what you can achieve x

'In unconsciously perpetuating & enforcing the historical stereotypes of the north as inferior, uncultured & uneducated, the message is clear: your voices, your stories & your culture aren’t valid enough to be included in art.' Jen Bowden: thebookseller.com/comment/value-…

“We have a commentariat, overwhelmingly from the same social class both as each other and the politicians they cover. Their reference points are limited, their comfort zone is narrow.”

Gary Younge on UK journalism pressgazette.co.uk/diversity/gary…

Leaving Amsterdam after spending several engrossing days with the Re:Collections team discussing anti-racism, decolonisation & co-creation in museums. I'm leaving with lots of questions. First & foremost, what's the impact of conflating renovating a museum with truly changing it?