Black Mum ignored before disabled child's death, CEO ready to be "true face" & other stories from Black, Asian & Arab communities you shouldn't have missed this week - curated by Melissa Sigodo
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I’m just going to jump right in with my thoughts this week:
When Donald Trump returned to office earlier this year, I wrote an opinion piece about how his presidency would campaign to subvert the truth in this new world order (you can read it here). But in another unprecedented low for the US leader, he shamelessly attempted to push the false idea of a white South African genocide - right in the midst of a genocide in Gaza, as found by Amnesty, the UN and other human rights organisations.
It was a relief to see some of our media debunk the conspiracy theories that nauseatingly played out in the White House, by accurately labelling them baseless and unsubstantiated. I often feel overcome with a sense of dread as I’m sure you all do, when racist white supremacist ideology makes it to the mainstream. I’ll never forget how some of the British press called last year’s racist summer riots a “protest”, and another example of this disingenuous reporting giving cover to wickedness reared its head this week. In a mainstream news report, Israelis trying to prevent aid from entering Gaza were referred to as “anti-aid protesters.” We have reached the point in this relentless cruelty where there are babies starving with their bones sticking out of their bodies, and those trying to starve them are called anti-aid activists. Rather than doing the journalistic thing and simply reporting their actions and letting that speak for itself - whitewashing unconscionable deeds is how our news is served in 2025.
But the problem with failing to name or call out criminal, unethical and immoral behaviour is a rogue path which takes no prisoners. Just ask our prime minister who is slowly learning this truth and has now been accused of emboldening Hamas this week, by his “ally” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
As always, I’ve recapped the news you shouldn’t have missed this week. Do share it with friends and family and get them subscribed and informed.
Without further ado, here’s what you shouldn’t have missed this week.
News
Birmingham City University has renamed a four-storey building after the late poet and activist Benjamin Zephaniah. The Birmingham legend was unable to read and write after leaving school at 13-years-old, but went on to have a successful career writing novel and kids’ books. Read the full story by Shyamantha Asokan at BBC.
Comedian and actor Lenny Henry has urged allies to join in tackling racism as he expressed that diversity is “under real threat.” The star added that equality shouldn’t be optional but that those who believe in it may have to give up “space” to make room for others. Read the full story by Ellie Muir at The Independent.
The Black CEO of a charity promoting diverse models in the fashion industry says she was “forced” to use her white assistant as the face of her charity in order to sign deals with brands. Founder of Models of Diversity Angel Sinclair who says she was ignored because of her race - is now ready to be the ‘true face’ of her longstanding business. Read the full story by Sinai Fleary at The Voice.
Sport
Footballer Marcus Rashford surprised a disabled fan who he promised to visit after meeting his cousin. The Manchester United player who is currently on loan to Aston Villa stayed for an hour with the family and took pictures with them. Watch the video at Sky Sports.
Arts
An award-winning ballet company created after founder Cassa Pancho was told growing up that Black people were ‘too flat footed’ and their ‘hair and posteriors too big’ to dance ballet - has been forced to move into a church with one toilet and no showers. She is now trying to raise funds to renovate her new space. Read the full story by me exclusively for The Source.
Inquests
A 12-year-old girl Raihana Awolaja who required a tube to breathe, died after she was left alone by staff at a Children’s Trust run care home. Raihana’s mum had repeatedly raised concerns about finding her daughter without one-on-one care and the coroner found neglect contributed to her death. Read the full story by Callum Cudderford at MyLondon News.
An inquest into the death of an 11-year-old girl, Kyra Hill who died during a birthday party at a water park has found that she was unlawfully killed. The coroner ruled that there were “gross breaches of health and safety measures” including there not being any signs warning of deep water. Read the full story at Sky News.
A fire chief took his own life after “harassment” and “media scrutiny” which caused extreme stress while facing an investigation into whether he had falsified having an MBA on his CV, an inquest has found. Wayne Brown, 54, told his employer he had not gained the qualification, but it was later found he had obtained an equivalent. He was found dead in his flat the night after a story on the investigation was published. Read the full story by Jayne Haynes at Birmingham Live.
Politics
A racial equality campaign group is calling on the Prime Minister to tackle air pollution which disproportionately harms marginalised groups according to research. In an open letter the group wrote that it was ‘not just an environmental issue” but “a social justice issue” and a “public health emergency.” Read the full story by Rebecca Speare-Cole at The Independent.
The Labour party is facing backlash from anti-racism campaigners who say Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent speech on immigration plans where he claimed the country was becoming an “island of strangers” - raised concerns that the “dignity, safety and rights” of ethnic minorities were being “undermined.” Read the full story by Chris Osuh and Aamna Mohdin at The Guardian.
Teachers of English to speakers of other languages (ESOL) have slammed the government’s proposals to raise language requirements for immigrants as “unrealistic” due to years of funding cuts. Read the full story by Weronika Strzyżyńska at Hyphen Online.
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Two people have died attempting to cross the Channel on Wednesday after 80 people travelled from France in a dinghy, while on Monday, one person died after a dinghy sank. Enver Solomon, the chief executive of the Refugee Council said it was “devastating” that people seeking safety were losing their lives in such “a tragic way.” He added that the government’s approach to migration was not working. Read the full story by Diane Taylor at The Guardian.
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