In October, ROTA hosted its Annual Conference and it was truly special.

Our theme, “60 Years Since the Race Relations Act: What’s Changed?”, invited us to reflect on the past, examine the present, and reimagine the future of race equality in the UK.

The discussions served as a powerful reminder that while there is still much work ahead, the efforts of those who came before us were not in vain. Their courage and persistence built a foundation rooted in community, solidarity, and hope, one that continues to guide our collective struggle against racism and division.

From 25 November to 10 December, the world marks the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

This campaign exposes the ongoing violence women and girls face - and this year, the theme “End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls” highlights one of the fastest-growing and least regulated forms of harm. 

At ROTA, race equity is central to everything we do. Violence against women and girls, especially online, is deeply racialised. 

Thursday, 29 January 2026

Some exciting news for all ROTA members and those interested in our work.

We will be holding a series of initiatives and events online as part of Priorities for Racial Justice 2026 - Make this year count!

One of the initiatives will be a series of quarterly online webinars to engage our members. 

Thursday, 5 February 2026

We are excited to announce the launch of the second report from the ROTA Community Research Partnership (RCRP).

The launch will be an evening of acknowledging the “Revolution of Rest “ Please mark your calendars for the evening of 5 February, from 5pm - 8.30pm for an in-person event in London (location TBC).

Between April and October 2025, our Brick-by-Brick Advisory Group journeyed through three powerful stages - Respond, Reimagine, and Resolve - to confront racial injustice in housing and reimagine what justice could look like when communities most affected lead the way.

Our outstanding team of community researchers have completed their research for the Nourishing Neighourhoods Project.

Over the Summer, we have been working with 50 families from Lambeth and Southwark to investigate the foods and drinks that our communities most enjoy, and how these can be made more healthy.

Race on the Agenda believes that the Autumn budget does introduce some positive changes that will support Black and Global Majority communities in Britain.

Measures like scrapping the two-child benefit cap will make a difference to all families that have been struggling with rising child poverty. We know that child poverty has had a disproportionate impact on Black and Global Majority communities. In 2021/22, 47% of children in Asian or Asian British households and 53% of those in Black households were in poverty after housing costs, compared with just 25% of those where the head of household was White. These changes are welcome.

When we look back at the images of Empire Windrush, we see that most of the passengers were young Black men. They were dressed impeccably, and they arrived full of hopes and dreams.

Their journey to ‘the motherland’ was for many an opportunity to build on their already happy and stable lives in the Caribbean. As my late Grandad said before he passed, ‘I did not have to come to England, I was doing well back home’. However, the constant adverts in Jamaica about supporting the motherland led to a journey to England that was driven by a patriotic love for Queen and Country as well as the dream to realise the lofty promises offered by Great Britain.

We continue our work on racial equity in housing post the passing of the Renters Rights Act.

We will continue to monitor and discuss its impact on Black and Global Majority communities across various platforms. 

Muslims are among the most targeted groups in Britain, yet they remain some of the least protected. Recent data shows that nearly half (45%) of all religious hate crimes were directed at Muslims. Anti-Muslim hate crimes also rose by 19% compared to the previous year.

The Singh Twins at Kew Gardens: Botanical Tales and the Seeds of Empire.  This extensive exhibition by two sisters, the Singh Twins, captured the role of botany in empire and trade.

Through beautiful and painstakingly researched images, it revealed truths behind the trade in commodities and plants from India, south-east Asia, the African continent, the Americas and the West Indies.

The notoriously exploitative East India Company, the slave trade, the textile and agricultural industries were depicted with no details spared of the deceit, plunder and disregard for human rights carried out by the expeditions. 

Looking for fresh ideas to raise funds and strengthen your organisation’s financial future?  

Join Voice4Change England, in collaboration with Buddle, for a free online event: Raising Money on Tuesday 9 December, 12–1pm GMT.  

This interactive session will explore creative and practical strategies to boost your fundraising success.

This is a unique opportunity to gain practical knowledge, share experiences, and leave with actionable steps to strengthen your fundraising efforts.

Who should attend: BME-led voluntary and community organisations, as well as non-BME groups seeking to diversify and grow their income streams.

Race on the Agenda
New Broad Street House
35 New Broad Street
London EC2M 1NH
United Kingdom

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Email: rota@rota.org.uk
Website: www.rota.org.uk

Patron: Lord Victor Adebowale CBE