QBLMM: Connecting Black Lawyers with Senior Mentors for Progression

As part of our Black History Month celebrations, colleagues came together yesterday for an insightful conversation with Barbara Mills KC, Chair of The Bar Council of England and Wales. This special event was hosted by Chief Crown Prosecutor Lionel Idan, our Crown Prosecution Service Race Disproportionality Lead, in collaboration with the The National Black Crown Prosecution Association (NBCPA) and Attorney General's Office (UK). The hybrid event held at Petty France and streamed online provided an opportunity for colleagues across the CPS, Attorney General’s Office, and members of the Bar to hear directly from Barbara; the first Black woman elected as Chair of the Bar Council in its 131 year history.   With an introduction from the Attorney General, Lord Hemmer KC , he spoke of the need to address racial disparity. He reflected on the significance of the first Black Lord Chancellor being welcomed in by the first Black Chair of the Bar, while emphasising that “we should never be complacent and never think there’s not more hard work to do.” During the discussion, Barbara shared her remarkable journey in law, from being called to the Bar in 1990 to taking silk in 2020, and now leading the Bar Council. She reflected on her experiences as one of only eight Black women KCs in 2025, and as the first family law barrister to hold the Chair in more than three decades. Barbara spoke candidly about the importance of representation and resilience, highlighting how progress within the legal profession depends on creating spaces where diverse voices are heard and valued. She said that diversity is essential to ensuring the best people are in the job and reflected that many people with very real talent are being held back. Barbara also emphasised that Black History Month is not only a time to reflect on progress, but also to celebrate the contributions Black people have made to the legal profession and wider society. Her insights sparked thoughtful reflections among attendees, about how we can all contribute to building a more inclusive and equitable justice system. This event served as a highlight of our Black History Month programme, reminding us of the important achievements and contributions of Black people, and continuing the conversation on race and representation within our organisation and beyond. Lionel thanked Barbara for sharing her experiences and for her many rich insights and words of wisdom, noting that she was an extraordinary woman whose achievements continue to inspire the next generation of legal professionals.

Last week our very own Trainee Vambo Maswiswi was highlighted in Scottish Legal News for her interview with SEMLA (Scottish Ethnic Minorities Lawyers Association) as part of #BlackHistoryMonth. “Black History Month offers an opportunity to highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion within the workplace. It encourages us to have meaningful conversations that might not happen otherwise. It also encourages us to think creatively about how we can continue to promote genuine inclusion across the profession.” Hear more from Vambo Maswiswi as she speaks to her personal and professional journey in law, and what it means to be a young Black lawyer in Scotland: https://lnkd.in/epf2W6Sy

Too many Black professionals know the shift being praised at first, then suddenly “a problem.” This is the Pet to Threat phenomenon, and it’s exhausting and career-limiting. In this piece, I unpack how it shows up and how we can protect our confidence, careers, and well-being. Read and share: https://lnkd.in/ekdeQU3J

Black History Month 2025: Standing Firm in Power and Pride As Black History Month 2025 draws to a close, Partner and D&I Lead Emma Bartlett speaks with former Paralegal Anaya Price about the significance of Black History Month, the power of representation, and the journey toward greater diversity in law. Highlights include: ✅ The origins of Black History Month ✅ How the 10,000 Black Interns programme shaped Anaya’s career ✅ Overcoming stereotypes and building confidence ✅ The importance of visible role models 🎥 Watch the full discussion in the video below. #BlackHistoryMonth #DiversityAndInclusion

I'm delighted to share that SBA Consulting has been commissioned by the Black Equity Organisation (BEO) to design their Evaluation Framework. This work will involve co-designing a framework that strengthens how BEO captures, measures and communicates their impact across their six strategic pillars - from economic empowerment and justice to education, health, culture and representation. The framework will support BEO to evidence their contribution to systemic change, embed a culture of learning, and ensure that insights from programmes and partnerships inform ongoing strategy and advocacy. Black Equity Organisation is currently marking the anniversary of the 1965 Race Relations Act with a powerful campaign and short film premiere, reflecting on nearly 60 years of progress, and the inequalities that persist today. The film explores how, while legislation has evolved, the lived reality for many Black Britons remains shaped by bias and systemic injustice. Head to www.blackequityorg.com or their latest Linkedin post to watch the trailer!

Representation That Doesn’t Relate By Raymond Alford Managing Partner — Realford Holdings & Trust Founder — Pathways to Prosperity Initiative Across America, we talk a lot about representation. But we rarely ask a critical question: Does the representation actually relate to the economic interests of Black business owners? Too often, the individuals positioned as “voices” for Black communities are not business owners, employers, developers, investors, or policy strategists. They come from cultural influence, not economic experience. And the result is predictable: symbolic representation instead of economic representation. Why Black Business Owners Must Be Engaged in Politics Regardless of party affiliation, Black entrepreneurs must participate in policy-shaping environments. Wealth is influenced heavily by: • Tax codes • Contracting opportunities • Economic incentives • Workforce programs • Development approvals • Federal and state appropriations If we do not advocate in these spaces, others will make decisions that determine our access to capital, contracts, and economic mobility. --- Why I Vote Republican as a Business Owner This is not about party identity — it is about policy alignment. For Realford Holdings, our most accelerated periods of growth occurred during Republican presidencies, due to: • Lower taxes • Business-friendly regulatory structures • Stronger incentives for development • Favorable private investment conditions My focus is simple: Vote for the policies that build generational wealth. The Path Forward Black America needs more economic representation at the policy level: business owners, contractors, developers, financial leaders, and investors. Cultural representation is valuable. Economic representation is transformative. Representation is only effective when it relates to our economic reality. This is the principle behind the Pathways to Prosperity Initiative and the future of Realford Holdings.

What's been going on with The Black Apprentice Network (BAN) recently... Well...it's this.... We are thrilled to announce that we are partnering with TLT LLP to launch the “Beyond Boundaries” School-Leaver Diversity Access Programme. 🎉 This initiative is built for the next generation of diverse talent who are starting their careers in law. At BAN, we know that representation matters and can make a difference. Opening up opportunities early is vital for creating equitable access and through partnering with TLT, we can help shape a programme that can break down barriers and bring fresh diverse, incredible talent into spaces where they can flourish. We will offer: 👉 A tailored pathway into legal and professional services roles for school-leavers from under-represented backgrounds. 👉 Work-experience sessions at TLT, workshops to develop key career skills and mentoring. 👉 Access to insight and support to navigate application processes, assessment centres and what it really takes to thrive in law. Applications open on 10 November, for those in Year 12 who are eager to explore a career in law. We want to dedicate a massive thanks to Rebecca, Kerry, Kate and the rest of the TLT for their collaboration and commitment to making meaningful change. We’re proud to stand alongside a brand that doesn’t just talk about diversity & inclusion — but is prepared to act, evolve and invest in real pathways. So what are you waiting for? Join our community to make sure you are one of the first to be notified about a program dedicated to creating the new generation of law in the UK.

For Those Who Weaponise Whiteness Against Black Leadership at Pride in London You know who you are. You've preached "inclusion" whilst orchestrating exclusion. You've claimed "concern for the community" whilst attempting to destroy those who challenge your comfort. Where Your Racism Comes From: Entitlement so deep you don't recognise it. The assumption that Pride spaces should centre your comfort, your control. When Black leadership refuses to genuflect, you experience equality as an attack. How It Functions: Through whisper campaigns disguised as "concerns." Through procedural weapons—invalid board appointments, diluted ownership structures, manufactured investigations. Institutional violence with clean hands. Why It Persists: Because you've convinced yourselves you're the "good ones." You march at the front of Pride in London, post black squares, say the right words. Your rainbow flag shields you from accountability. Your "allyship" is contingent on our silence. The Work of Undoing It: Admit the truth—not your sanitised version. You saw Black leadership as a threat. You used systems designed by whiteness to protect whiteness. Your "concerns" were never about governance but control. Undoing it means: Withdrawing false claims Resigning from positions obtained through deception Publicly acknowledging harm caused Destroying systems, not those who name them But you won't. Because those who benefit from racism would rather destroy those who name it than the system itself. Your character assassination failed. I've kept receipts. Your masks have slipped. The question isn't whether you understand racism—you're experts at deploying it. The question is whether you'll ever stop.

#QuestionTime: Our keynote speaker, Alexander Walsh shares why the Black Excellence in Governance Awards is here to stay! Recognition of impact matters! 🌟 It is a powerful reminder that being celebrated does more than feel good. It builds confidence, visibility, and belonging for Black governance professionals across the industry. Let’s hear from YOU… 💬 How does the celebration of Black Excellence in Governance help promote Impact? 🤔 #BlackExcellence #CorporateGovernance #DiversityandInclusion #GovernanceForGood