We [Centric] would be a catalyst to start repairing the institutional disconnect with the communities.

As you may know, there is currently a conversation relating to the Church of England and the Transatlantic slave trade. They have set aside £100 million to address the shameful past of the slave trade (source: Financial Times). There have been mixed responses of course, sparking outrage for some who believe the issue should be left in the past and the money should be used for the current issues the UK is facing.

Whilst the opinions that matter the most, from the Black community, are open to reparations but, they’re also rather sceptical as to how this money will be used. When it comes to implementing large amounts of money from government and local authorities within Black and seldom-heard communities, it’s not often we see the impact. It usually goes down the drain due to a lack of research, plus spending the money on the wrong resources, as they continuously fail to directly ask the community what it wants. It is a matter of what the government and local authorities think they need.

When it comes to giving back, Centric and CenGiving know this area best. We currently have a number of initiatives, including the Ghana: Beach clean up and plastic collection in Gambia. We also have an ongoing project in the Dominican Republic, which was a country where slaves were taken. Dr Shaun Danquah is liaising with a number of individuals on this matter and it seems there’s a huge opportunity to get involved in helping this money to be directed in the right places.

Additionally, we would like our input to be backed by a potential research piece. It will centre on the opinions of Black youth and what they believe would be the best way for this £100 million to be spent. The ball should no longer be in the court of the assumed White saviours, dictating how to spend the money for the Black community.

Based upon our positionality, credibility and accessibility, we can be proactive on a community scale to understand needs and concerns of those in South London. We want to create an equitable design process making sure the money is spent in accordance with the Black community. Centric have been proactive, not only within South London, but in Africa and the Dominican Republic.

We have the knowledge, capability and capacity to understand the research of the last 15 years based on the different cultural nuances. We can take this insight and build a design centred around the Black community and especially, include the ideas and thoughts of the Black youth, who are the future!

Furthermore, our aid positions ourselves as a broker between the institutions and communities. We would be a catalyst to start repairing the institutional disconnect with the communities. We hope to appease the growing distrust of the Black community, and those within the northern hemisphere, with initiatives such as helping Ghana by including the community in equitable ways towards design and resourcing.

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External Link

• Church of England sets aside £100mn to address ‘shameful past’ of slave trade - Financial Times