“What we do know is that empathy, active listening and reflection needs to be at the core of any methods utilised to collaborate more effectively.”

Centric’s work on global agendas is having an impact on alleviating distrust of systematic procedures in local communities. We have come together as a multicultural collective representing the different subgroups within Black, Asian, Latino and ethnic minority communities. Understanding there is not one size that fits each group, plus the inclusion and consideration of the cultural nuances and differences in these groups, are paramount.

On the back of COVID-19 and George Floyd, there has been an attempt by institutions to engage Black communities from the point of race and lived experience. However, it is quite clear there is a strong sentiment of distrust remaining across the urban locale.

There are current discussions regarding integrated care, shifting power and equity to ensure communities have a stake in the research and outcomes that impact them. Although this language sounds great, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed prior to the implementation of the actions this language relates to.

A recent Tudor Trust publication is an example that supports this conviction. They are currently undertaking a review regarding racial justice to understand the racism still prevalent within their own organisation. This shows these institutions still have a lot of work to do internally to effectively understand how to serve and drive change for seldom-heard communities.

CenGiving is the currency for engaging communities. The awkward conversations now become easier to have because the currency is working within the communities, at home and abroad.

It is imperative to have uncomfortable conversations first as these build the relationships to enable the critical conversations regarding race and engagement. At Centric, even based on our 15 years of experience engaging communities, we are still trailing, testing and innovating new methods. What we do know is that empathy, active listening and reflection needs to be at the core of any methods utilised to collaborate more effectively. Centric will be instilling them in the formulation of an engagement toolkit for organisations to use moving forward.

A key innovation that is becoming extremely powerful is the work of CenGiving, our charity arm, currently operating in Ghana, Gambia, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Kenya, and Pakistan. This work currently involves:

1. Beach clean-up work related to our climate action agenda.
2. Charitable acts, such as funding Iftar (evening meal in Ramadan) for Muslims in Ghana and Pakistan.
3. Building the capacity and capability of the local communities to replicate the community research model locally.
4. Developing an international conference to share learnings from each country.
5. Establishing Centriko, an independent community research organisation based in the Dominican Republic.

This work has already had a profound impact on racial politics locally. Most recently, our visit to Southwark Climate Day was met with applause when speaking about our international work. Those who were at the beginning sitting there sceptical of Centric became supporters once hearing about CenGiving, even asking how they could get involved.

Our work on global agendas has become evermore paramount given the context of reparations. Those who are to receive the funds have to be part of assigning how it is spent and invested. It is also crucial to engage their descendants based in South London through this process. The identification and support of existing initiatives in Africa will also be essential to how this reparation’s resourcing is spent. Culturally appropriate co-design, rooted in equitable engagement practices, must be implemented for the dissemination of the reparation’s resources across Africa.

It is easier for us to engage in a community locally when we are engaging with their communities back home. It solidifies and cements the relationship with them.

Please join us in the mission for the betterment of our communities and society at large.

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References

• The Tudor Trust publication April 2023