A PIONEERING forum dedicated exclusively to exploring the experiences of Black women in policing, public sector and uniformed services, is set to take place in Birmingham this week.
The ‘Women in the Shade’ conference aims to provide a safe platform for Black women to share their stories, discuss the challenges they face and propose innovative solutions to combat the injustices they encounter on a daily basis.
The event has been organised by Karen Geddes QPM and Marcia Ore, who have transitioned from policing but remain deeply committed to the value and impact of the police.
Geddes QPM, a trailblazer in her own right, joined West Midlands Police in 1992 before retiring in 2022.
During her career, she rose to become the first Black Female Superintendent in the force and to this date remains the only one to have attained this rank.
She was awarded QPM (Queens Police Medal) and was the first Black female to reach the rank of Superintendent in West Midlands Police history.
In 2022 she created The Thin Black Line to work with organisations such as policing to reduce disparity affecting the Black community and to build stronger organisations that work for everyone.
She said ‘I am proud to have been able to serve my community for 30 years. As I transition away from policing, I still retain a passion to ensure people like me have a sit at the table of change.
“This conference is an opportunity for people inside the police, other organisations and our community to come together to ensure Black female continue to have a visible part in the conversation about policing.’
Ore, co-organiser of the ‘Women in the Shade’ conference, is a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant.
Her professional life began as a serving Police Officer from 1982 and was the ‘first’ in a number of roles including being the first Black woman in force training at West Midlands Police.
She has spent 30 years championing equality, diversity and inclusion. She held various roles promoting access to policing, served as Vice-chair of the West Midlands Black and Asian Police Association and organised the first conference for Black and ethnic minority women in UK police forces, called Women In The Shade.
“I still deeply believe in policing and the influence it has on society as a role model,” said Ore.
She added: “Failing to listen to the perspectives of different identities undermines the principles of policing by consent and having the trust and confidence of all those committed to providing a fair and equitable service.”
The Women in the Shade conference is set to feature an exceptional lineup of speakers, including Mina Smallman, the Church of England’s first female archdeacon, a symbol of resilience in the face of tragedy.
Following the loss of her daughters in 2020, she became a vocal advocate for justice, challenging social norms and police practices.
Joining her will be Wendy Williams CBE, a solicitor, who led the independent inquiry into the Windrush scandal.
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham will also be attending the conference as a special guest.
For further information visit www.thethinblackline.co.uk
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When will Ms Karen Geddes QPM, and Ms Marcia Ore, and other high-profile African-heritage women in policing, public sector, political parties, the Anglican church, the Protestant Churches, trade unions, and corporate institutions, comprehend, and understand that England does not want to give high public profile, or corporate office, to African-skinned women?
This week’s Birmingham gathering of high profile African-heritage women, ought to be about exploring ways of economically assisting African, and Caribbean nations; rather than talking, again, about the null fact that England’s public, and corporate institutions, rejects African-skinned women.
I like His Majesty the Kings’ native Caucasian, Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Irish, Catholic, and Protestant heritage subjects.
I have many worthy associations with native English Caucasian men and women.
All the people of Earth admire England’s innocent until proven guilty judicial ethic; England’s 1000-year free critical speech tradition, and England’s precious Magna Carta freedoms.
However, I am under no illusion.
Just because my African-Caribbean ancestors have lived under English colonial rule in Africa, and the Caribbean, and now live in today’s England.
I know, and understand that English people, their political parties, and their public, and corporate institutions, prefer to welcome people who share their Caucasian physical characteristics-Caucasian-skin, Caucasian-hair, Caucasian facial features.
Liking people of your racial-heritage is perfectly natural.
Whilst I live in England, I know I am not wanted.
The 2018 illegal exiling of senior aged Caribbean men and women, displayed to the world, the degree to which African-heritage people are not wanted, or welcomed by Labour, or Conservative political parties.
42,000 English people opened their homes to welcome Ukrainians in 2022; whilst Caribbean people; whose grandparents died in their hundreds to save England during both of England’s European wars, are barred from entering England; since Labour’s 2003 financially punitive Visa requirements.
When will African-Caribbean women, and men, comprehend, and understand, that we are not welcome in the English Country of our birth?