BRIG ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2024
On 11th December 2024, Birmingham’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) drew city leaders, activists, and community members to reaffirm their collective commitment to making Birmingham an anti-racist city. The event, held under the banner of the Birmingham Race Impact Group (BRIG), served as a vital platform to showcase the city’s progress and ambitious plans for 2025.
The AGM opened with a rousing address by BRIG Chair, Ranjit Sondhi, who reflected on the achievements since BRIG’s founding in 2021. Central to his speech was the group’s mission to cleanse personal, cultural, and institutional racism from Birmingham. Ranjit emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum, citing BRIG’s work on thematic summits and the 10-Year Race Equality Delivery Plan as key milestones. He celebrated the city’s growing anti-racist ecosystem and challenged attendees to sustain and strengthen this progress.
A key highlight of the evening was the signing of an Anti-Racist Pledge by city leaders. This symbolic act underscored Birmingham’s commitment to becoming the UK’s first anti-racist city. The pledge, central to BRIG’s ethos, aims to create a city where every citizen—regardless of race—can thrive without discrimination. Leaders spoke about the pledge’s importance in confronting Birmingham’s history and its role in shaping a more equitable future.
Another memorable moment was the powerful performance by Bilal Akram. Commissioned to mark the pledge, Akram presented a spoken word piece that wove personal narratives of racial injustice with an optimistic vision for unity. His stirring performance left the audience inspired, reminding all of the emotional and cultural impact of the anti-racist movement.
Looking ahead to 2025, BRIG outlined an ambitious roadmap. Central to these plans is the continued development of the Anti-Racist Places Framework (ARPF). This initiative, in collaboration with the West Midlands Combined Authority and local institutions, will focus on refining strategies to embed anti-racist principles into Birmingham’s civic and cultural identity. BRIG also announced plans for an Anti-Racist City Summit. This summit will bring together stakeholders to discuss progress and challenges in fostering an anti-racist culture.
Other projects set for 2025 include the “Pass the Baton” Anti-Racist Festival, an initiative to engage Birmingham’s youth through workshops, performances, and discussions. Additionally, the “Seeking the Pioneers” project will continue to build an anti-racist timeline and educate the public on Birmingham’s rich and complex racial history.
As Birmingham continues to evolve into a minority-majority city, the AGM served as a reminder of the urgency and importance of addressing systemic racism. The city’s leaders, united by the Anti-Racist Pledge, are determined to foster a culture where diversity is celebrated, and equity is prioritised.
Through the work of BRIG and its partners, Birmingham is not only addressing the legacies of racism but also setting the pace for other cities to follow. The 2024 AGM was not just a reflection on the past but a bold step into a future where an anti-racist Birmingham is not merely a vision, but a reality.