- Conference
- 2024 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 18 September 2023
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes Black employees only hold 1.5 per cent of management and leadership positions in the UK. This is according to the Business in the Community (BITC) report, ‘Race at the Top’ which found that only 54,900 of the 3.9 million managers, directors and senior officials in the UK’s private and public sectors are Black.
Evidence still points to continual barriers for Black workers to progress to middle and senior management roles within their teams or organisations. This is not acceptable and in order for us to cultivate Black leadership, we must first realise that racism is inherently embedded in many of our organisations.
The South West Black Members Committee recognised that they needed to take this seriously in supporting their Black Members to break the barriers in these inequalities and promote inclusivity, diversity, and equality. The committee put together a Black Leadership Training weekend which was extremely successful.
The Leadership Training weekend created safe space for Black Members to express their authenticity, address historical disparities, cultivate their talents and diverse leadership, plus fostered the professional growth amongst Black Members which encouraged Black Workers to put themselves forward for leadership roles.
The importance of leadership training for Black workers cannot be overstated. Leadership training not only addresses historical disparities and promotes diversity but also leads to improved organisational performance, social equity, and long-term success. By investing in the development of Black leaders, we not only empower individuals but also foster a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.
We advocate for the significance of leadership training specifically tailored to support and empower Black Members. In a world where diversity and inclusion are increasingly recognised as essential, it is imperative that UNISON prioritise and invest in leadership development that caters to the unique needs and potential of our Black Members.
Therefore, we call on the National Black Members Committee to
1. Encourage Regions and Branches to put on Black Leadership Training tailored to support and empowered Black Members.
2. Encourage Regions to monitor and measure the impact of leadership training within their Regions for Black Members.
3. Encourage branches to work with employers to create a development pathway of future Black Leaders.