This event is part of the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health's 2022 Festival 'Partnering for Change' 

Black Thrive works to address the inequalities that negatively impact the mental health and wellbeing of Black people in Lambeth; bringing together individuals, local communities, statutory agencies and voluntary organisations to address structural barriers that prevent Black people from thriving. Black Thrive place the voice of the community at the center to influence policy, service design and delivery and to provide feedback about the community's experience of services.

This event shines a spotlight on how Black Thrive are partnering with stakeholder groups including individuals and families with lived experience and academic institutions to create change with and for the community.  

Session 1: Systems Change through Black-led research: A conversation with Black Thrive

Time: 15:30-17:00pm, Chaired by: Lela Kogbara, Director of Black Thrive 

This session explores the inequalities that Black people face in academia and knowledge production and how Black Thrive and the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health (CSMH) are partnering to address these issues.

The session will feature presentations from the Black Thrive research team, followed by a panel discussion. Participants will hear from Tamanda Walker (Qualitative Research Fellow at Black Thrive) about our ongoing collaborations with Mind in Haringey and Catalyst 4 Change in Birmingham centring service user voice and developing community-owned data for systems change. Jolyon Miles-Wilson (Quantitative Research Fellow at Black Thrive) will discuss the work we are developing on big data and stop & search for police accountability followed by Nathaniel Martin (Black Thrive/KCL) who will discuss how we are involving young people with lived experience of stop and search in research. Celestin Okoroji (Head of Research) will discuss the overarching ambition of Black Thrive's research work and how the organisation is seeking to disrupt research, evidence and policymaking.

Participants will have an opportunity to reflect on knowledge production practices and their implications for Black Communities. Our distinguished panel will include Jacqui Dyer (Director at Black Thrive) and Stephani Hatch (Professor of Sociology and Epidemiology at CSMH). 

To register your place, please visit the session Eventbrite page:

www.eventbrite.com/e/partnering-for-change-systems-change-through-black-led-research-tickets-347140054247

Session 2: Supporting families through community trauma 

Time: 17:30-19:00pm 

Join Black Thrive in an open and honest conversation with parents, therapists, and organisations to discuss healing trauma in our modern Black communities.

Parenting teenagers can be tough but perhaps even more worrying for parents when accessing services is difficult, and even the police can be a threat. We are all aware navigating services such as the education system, youth justice system, health and mental health can contribute to the trauma our families face. These systemic issues faced by some parents is clear but how can we build together as a community to call for effective change? How will we hold organisations accountable? What support is already available? What should services offer our parents and families?

During this session, you will be introduced to local people and organisations working hard to change outcomes and challenge the system. 

We welcome you to join this collaborative conversations alongside: 

• Ira Campbell, a Parent and Co-CEO of Marcus Lipton Community Centre which forms part of the Ecosystem Coldharbour
• Karen Dhlamini, a Parent and therapist working with Black Thrive to provide therapeutic support across different spaces including young people and their families.  
• Zena Kada, a Parent and Mental Health Nurse really pushing for positive change for parents and their families.
• Jay Perkins, Founder of Partisan an organisation collaborating with community organisations like Juvenis to offer therapeutic support to families and young people.
• Livia Whyte, Head of Special Projects and Legacy, Black Thrive

As well as other parents, community members and local organisations, and you. Your voice is important. 

Let’s work together to envision what the future of thriving family support needs to look like.

To register your place, please visit the session Eventbrite page:

www.eventbrite.com/e/partnering-for-change-supporting-families-through-community-trauma-tickets-347074387837

Brixton House has step-free access