News / Racial justice
Bristol organisation celebrates 25 years of community impact
The Black South West Network (BSWN) has marked its 25th anniversary, celebrating a quarter century legacy of advancing racial justice across the region.
The milestone was celebrated at a recent event held at Bristol Beacon.
Founded in 1999 and based at The Coach House in St Paul’s, BSWN is one of the few regional racial equality organisations established under a government initiative in the early 2000s that is still operating today.
Originally formed as a policy research body, the organisation has since grown into a multifaceted operation working across housing, enterprise support and community development.
Former deputy mayor and equality campaigner Asher Craig, Marti Burgess, chair of BSWN with director Sado Jirde
The anniversary coincides with 60 years since the Race Relations Act 1965, landmark legislation that followed Bristol’s historic 1963 Bus Boycott.
Speaking at BSWN’s annual general meeting, Sado Jirde, director of BSWN, said the Act came from “struggle and protest rather than government goodwill”.
“Here in Bristol, that struggle took the form of the 1963 Bus Boycott,” she said.
“But even as we acknowledge that breakthrough, we must also acknowledge its limits. Legal equality does not automatically translate into lived equality.”
Jirde added that discussions have already taken place, but “systems change means asking harder questions”.
She said: “It means interrogating why wealth continues to be extracted from our communities and who benefits.
“It means challenging the ways in which data, algorithms, and technology are being used to reinforce inequality under the guise of efficiency. And it means recognising that climate justice and racial justice are inseparable.”
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Asher Craig, founder of the Black Development Agency in 1989 and former deputy mayor of Bristol, who helped BSWN in its formative years, reflected on the organisation’s longevity.
She said: “The Labour government pushed to create regional infrastructure for BME-led organisations across England.
“Every region had a version of BSWN, but most didn’t survive. Only BSWN endured — and that survival wasn’t luck; it was relentless community-led strategy.”
More recently, BSWN has secured £1m from UK Research and Innovation to lead the South West Race Equity Research Network, involving 15 partners across the region.
The organisation has also received £520,000 in capital funding to refurbish The Coach House.
The event included panel discussions chaired by Rob Mitchell, charting the journey of BSWN and its far-reaching impact in the community.
The panel discussion with Ian Noah, Lyn Mareno and Louise Ndibwirende, chaired by Rob Mitchell
The event was concluded by a poetry recitation by Miles Chambers capturing the trials and triumphs of BSWN.
BSWN’s housing work has provided direct assistance to more than 50 council tenants across Bristol, while its policy team has contributed to national debates on issues including clean air zones and predictive policing oversight.
Through programmes such as the Health and Care Accelerator, BSWN supports Black and minoritised-led enterprises in partnership with organisations including Voscur and the School for Social Entrepreneurs.
BSWN has also moved beyond discussion to take decisive action to provide support for aspiring entrepreneurs from Black and minoritised backgrounds.
This includes delivering CultureBiz Connect, which recently brought its pilot programme to a close with a showcase featuring 25 creative entrepreneurs from across the region.
Poet Miles Chambers charting the journey of BSWN
Marti Burgess, chair of BSWN, said: “Whilst socio-politically and culturally, it has been a year fraught with tension, BSWN has continued to push boundaries in effecting change for Black and racially minoritised communities everywhere.
“Next year, we will continue to push forward along this path.
“With the UnMuseum staff recruitment at the end of the summer, the development of a significant environmental justice programme planned and phase one of The Coach House due for completion in February 2026, next year will be another year of change and growth for BSWN.”
Sado Jirde, director of BSWN said that discussions have already taken place, but “systems change means asking harder questions”
The UnMuseum is BSWN’s £1.25m National Lottery Heritage Fund project, preserving Black and racially minoritised heritage through digital mapping, cultural events and the development of The Coach House as a centre for Black enterprise and cultural heritage.
All photos: Milan Perera
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