Team highlights from the #BAMEOnline Conference 2022

The much anticipated #BAMEOnline conference was once again filled with so many important and interesting conversations about anti-racism in the Charity sector. In its third year running, it opened with bounds of energy and passion, thanks to its hosts Martha Awojobi and Cam St-Omer Donaldson.

The day provided valuable insight on the challenges facing the sector, with themes including philanthropic imperialism, decolonising wealth and the realities of doing anti racist work, community-centric fundraising among many more. The team came away from the conference feeling inspired and empowered to share the knowledge and ideas gained.

In addition to being an essential resource for anti racist and anti oppression work, proceeds raised from ticket sales went to two incredible grassroots black-led organisations, Black Trans Alliance who support black transgender and non-binary people in London and Kids of Colour based in Manchester, a project for young people of colour to explore race, identity and culture.

It was clear that it wasn’t a fundraising conference in the traditional sense. It was more thought-provoking in a wider context of philanthropy and anti-racism. An ‘anti-oppression conference, about dismantling systems of oppression which EDI is not made to do’ as Martha explained. It was a space to talk about the issues that do not usually get amplified in the sector, the uncomfortable truths that people often shy away from. For example, from the start it was highlighted that to recover from trauma the sector has to face up the hurt caused. It’s a process of recovery and rediscovery, learning, deep mourning and dreaming. Cam and Martha also warned that there was risk of some co-opting the right language without actually doing the important anti-racist work.

There was a lot to unpack and learn from the many expert speakers, but here are some highlights that resonated with the team.

Decolonising wealth - Philanthropy's role in collective healing from colonised trauma

This session explored the theme of decolonisation of the sector and the ways in which reparative redistribution of wealth is critical for its repair and healing. Panellist Derek Bardowell, CEO of Ten Years’ Time, discussed what change looks like and how we might begin to remedy the effects of colonisation.

A closing but profound comment by one of the panellists, Jess Hausti, was that a measure of wealth in her culture was generosity, care for the community and what you give away rather than the capitalist notion of accumulation.

Thoughts and conversation on anti-racist work unfolded throughout the conference. One speaker described it as a lifelong practice of confrontation and unlearning of white supremacy in our thought processes, but also healing. Speakers on the ‘realities of antiracist work’ session spoke so eloquently about how change doesn’t just sit with people of colour, but all of us. Because of the nature of anti-racist work it’s easy to lose sight of connecting to our individual power and the need to be visionary.

We were introduced to the idea of radical imagination which is about dreaming in a way that defies reality. We are taught that rationality is a safe place, figuring things out in a way that makes sense. But radical imagination can help to bring about change where freedom is at the heart and the possibilities are endless. This, alongside vulnerability, is a strong way to connect with others and build bridges. Vulnerability is power.

If you couldn’t watch all the sessions, thankfully there is time to catch up on the ones you missed, on demand. We’d highly recommend watching them all! Tickets are available on the Fundraising Everywhere website (opens in a new tab).