The Secretariat 

Black South West Network (BSWN) provides the Secretariat function for the Commission.

As an infrastructure organisation, BSWN’s function is to work with the organisations supporting the BAME communities in Bristol to develop their work, business models, and impact, as well as creating mechanisms, platforms and spaces in which we and they can inform and influence policy and strategy across the region.

BSWN’s over-arching strategic intent is to build dynamic, independent, and strong BAME communities, businesses and organizations that are empowered to flourish while challenging systemic barriers and forging a true path for themselves. We believe that only through this will we significantly address racial inequality.

BSWN’s work falls into three broad areas - Cross-sector Enterprise and Innovation; Cultural Inclusion; Research and Knowledge – with Scrutiny and Accountability and Representation and Power as over-arching themes that cut through all our work. All areas of our work are all inter-related, inter-connected and work in unison to further our strategic intent.

BSWN’s research function and our relationships with the University of Bristol, the University of the West of England, Exeter University and Bath Spa University generates academically robust data to inform policy and we have the capacity to undertake further research into racial inequality in the region.

BSWN’s policy development function provides knowledge and experience in translating research, data, and consultation into effective policy recommendations and implementation approaches.

BSWN’s day-to-day work with BAME led organisations and their constituent communities provides a mechanism through which the delivery of race equality work can take place.

BSWN’s networks provide a conduit between the Commission and the BAME communities of Bristol to both hear their voices and communicate directly with them.

BSWN’s communications and administration function provides years of experience in hosting high quality, innovative and productive events, as well as reaching an audience that many others fail to engage with.

To find out more about BSWN, please visit their website www.blacksouthwestnetwork.org