Legacy Centre of Excellence reposted this
This time last week I sat with our Legacy Centre of Excellence Board and Senior Management Team for a pivotal Strategic Away Day at the Park Regis Birmingham. I want to begin by thanking our Board and Senior Management colleagues for giving up their Saturday to do this work. Leadership is not always convenient and their commitment to Legacy’s future was evident throughout the day. And huge thanks to Harjinder P. our Governance Lead for facilitating the day so thoughtfully and brilliantly. The Away Day followed closely on from the launch of our Newtown Placemaking Strategy the week before. A vision rooted in cultural dignity, economic opportunity and long-term community voice. As an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, Legacy holds both creative privilege and public responsibility. We sit at the intersection of arts and enterprise. Culture and commerce. Creativity and community wealth-building. In a moment where cities are navigating economic pressure, political transition and global uncertainty, institutions like ours must provide steadiness. Legacy stands at the heart of predominantly Black and global majority communities in Birmingham: communities rich in creativity, entrepreneurship and resilience. Our leadership is not symbolic. It is structural. On Saturday, we did the disciplined work that underpins real impact: 👉🏽We examined our five-year growth trajectory. 👉🏽We interrogated risk honestly. 👉🏽We strengthened oversight and accountability. 👉🏽We aligned around purpose, not personality. Because thriving arts ecosystems require strong governance. And sustainable enterprise requires clarity of direction. Legacy is not just a venue: ✔️It is a civic anchor. ✔️A platform for Black and global majority leadership. ✔️A space where artists, entrepreneurs and community leaders shape the future together. The role we hold demands vigilance and discernment, but also care. 🖤Care for public trust. 🖤Care for cultural confidence. 🖤Care for the economic futures of the communities we serve. Last week, we strengthened foundations. 💪🏽Deliberately. 💪🏽Collectively. 💪🏽With conviction. In uncertain times, leadership is not loud. It is intentional. #ForwardEverBackwardNever 🚀 #LegacyCentreofExcellence #ArtsAndEnterprise #NationalPortfolioOrganisation #BoardLeadership #BlackLeadership #GovernanceWithSoul #Birmingham Keith Shayaam-Smith Laura Miele Blessing Mutamba Dr Angela Jeffery DPhil (Oxon.) Beverly Johnson Nana Akua Asuo Yaa Asantewaa MA Ian Ward Charlene Carter-James SABRINA STERLING BA Hons. Assoc. CIPD Sharon Thompson FIoL Charmaine Burton Merisha Stevenson Richard Parker Omar Buchanan