Bristol Green Capital

The Black & Green Ambassadors programme (2020-2023) aimed to connect, empower and celebrate diverse leadership and community action on environmental issues in Bristol and beyond; challenging perceptions, creating new opportunities and working towards ensuring the environmental movement is inclusive and representative of all communities.

The project was co-delivered by Ujima Radio and Bristol Green Capital Partnership, and supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.

About the project

In 2015, Bristol was recognised for its leadership in environmental sustainability by becoming the first UK European Green Capital, and more recently in November 2018, the elected members of Bristol City Council became the first in the UK to declare a climate emergency, building on Bristol’s reputation as a national and global environmental sustainability leader. However, Bristol and other UK cities have been criticised for failing to include diverse voices in the environmental sustainability community and its leadership, particularly those of Black, African, Caribbean, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

This issue was highlighted by Ujima Radio in 2015 who ran a series of ‘Green & Black’ activities, debates and projects in 2015. This work led to the formation of our partnership, and the development of the Ambassadors pilot project.

The pilot project

From October 2016 – October 2017, we worked with Ambassadors Zakiya McKenzie and Jasmine (Jazz) Ketibuah-Foley, who received leadership development training, mentorship and funding in this successful pilot developed by Ujima Radio, Bristol Green Capital Partnership and the University of Bristol’s Cabot Institute, working in collaboration with Up Our Street. In this initial pilot, Zakiya and Jasmine received training and support in order to Conduct Community Action Research, Collate Case Studies, Create Media and monthly Radio shows, Undergo Leadership Development: receiving leadership training and mentoring, as well as opportunities to engage with organisations at Board level and Advocate for ‘disruptive’ constructive challenge: attend sustainability events, better connect environmental and social justice, and promote engagement with more diverse communities

Black & Green Ambassadors 2020-2023

In 2020, Bristol Green Capital Partnership and Ujima Radio were successful in their bid to the National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, to build on the pilot and deliver the scaled up ‘Black & Green Ambassadors’ programme. Over three years, the programme recruited, mentored and supported Ambassadors – emerging leaders with environmental and social justice ambitions – to work between Bristol’s diverse communities, businesses, organisations and individuals on issues of environmental sustainability, equality, diversity and inclusion. Year One Ambassadors were Asia Yousif, Olivia Sweeney and Roy Kareem; Year Two Ambassadors were Rosina Al-Shaater, Miss Divine and Ruth Nortey.

Reflections

After the first two years of the programme Ujima Radio and Bristol Green Capital Partnership commissioned May Project Gardens to engage with a range of stakeholders, alumni Ambassadors and many of the participants and supporters of the programme to better understand the positive impacts, challenges, opportunities for the future and recommendations for change.

Download project reports & resources

• 2023 – Year Three Black & Green Insights Report
• 2020-2021 – Black & Green Year One Report
• 2021- Black & Green Conversation: Next Generation
• 2018 – Black & Green Pilot Report