New Taskforce members sign up to help tackle race inequality across the West Midlands
Published: Monday 21 Mar 2022
People from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences have been appointed to the region's new Race Equalities Taskforce set up to find new ways to ensure all communities share the region's success.
The taskforce was set up by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board to advise on policy and launch action to ensure that all communities can reach their full potential and benefit from the investment in transport, housing, skills and jobs across the region.
Chaired by Yetunde Dania, who is partner and head of office at international law firm Trowers and Hamlins, the taskforce's full membership will comprise around 30 leaders from a range of different sectors, areas of expertise, communities and places across the West Midlands.
17 people, including community activists, charity and trade union executives, academics, entrepreneurs and leading professionals, were appointed to the taskforce following an open recruitment process.
The newly selected members will be joined by representatives from key public bodies across the region.
Yetunde Dania said: I am delighted to welcome our new members to the Race Equalities Taskforce; it is an exciting milestone following a competitive application process during which I have been inspired and humbled by the number of people prepared to volunteer their time to support the taskforce in its work.
My ambition is to make the West Midlands a national leader in addressing race inequalities so that everyone who lives in our region can have a fair start in life, the opportunity to reach their full potential and to flourish.
We are facing a huge and complex challenge however, I am confident that with our new taskforce members, and the support of all of the public bodies which make up the WMCA Board, we have a unique opportunity to bring about transformational and lasting change for our communities
Established by the WMCA Board, the taskforce will work with local authorities and other public bodies, businesses and communities to find new ways to address race inequality.
It will focus on the areas where the WMCA and its partners have most responsibility and impact, including the economy, transport network, housing, skills, wellbeing and, under the leadership of the Police and Crime Commissioner, the criminal justice system.
The 17 new recruits met for the first time recently for a virtual induction session.
New members of the Taskforce include:
- Alex Cole
- Annum Mahmood
- Arthur Tsang
- Cleo Stewart
- Daniel Cash
- Denise Myers
- Bishop Desmond Jaddoo
- Hannah Buckley
- Honey Ajuwon
- Julie Blake
- Josh Smith
- Manny Sandhu
- Mary Osuagwu
- Melvin Riley
- Ravi Subramanian
- Shani Dhanda
- Shakeil Hemmings