2025 Chair’s Reflections
This year has been one of celebration and challenge for BRIG – a year that highlighted both our progress as a city and the work that still lies ahead.
The celebrations have been profound. We started the year by creating the MX60 Collective to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Malcolm X visit to Smethwick on 12th February 1965. This being very much a reminder of the threat of racism then is still with us today and the need to organise across broad anti-racist fronts to combat it. Key highlight included the creation of the Malcolm X mural at the Ivy Push pub and heritage walk by Black Heritage Walks Network and the “Whose City is It?” intergenerational activists debate facilitated by Gary Younge.
The October launch of the Seeking the Pioneers exhibition marked a milestone in honouring the courage, creativity and tenacity of those who shaped Birmingham’s anti-racist story. Made possible with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, Seeking the Pioneers has brought communities together across generations to reflect on the city we have inherited and the future we must build.
The challenges, however, have been sobering. We experienced an unsettling moment in the city, prompted by the recent display of flags across parts of Birmingham. It served as a reminder of how vital it is to stay committed to building a city where everyone feels seen, heard and valued. Moments like this underline that creating an anti-racist Birmingham requires sustained commitment, honesty and a willingness to engage in difficult conversations.
Against that backdrop, BRIG has continued to strengthen its legitimacy and influence. In just four years since its inception, it has become recognised as a trusted voice—confident in speaking truth to institutions while remaining deeply rooted in the lived experiences of the communities it serves. This balance between accountability and lived reality is what gives BRIG its integrity.
BRIG’s growing appeal across generations, cultures and faiths are a testament to the inclusive, multicultural city we aspire to be. It continues to command respect as much in the corridors of power as in the streets of our neighbourhoods. It speaks directly to university professors, NHS chief executives, senior police inspectors and city council leaders, while remaining anchored in community insight and experience.
Its work this year reflects the consistency of purpose that defines BRIG: holding systems to account, empowering future generations, amplifying voices too often unheard, and catalysing the conditions for a fairer Birmingham.
My sincere thanks go to the Board, partners, associates, and the many volunteers whose energy and dedication have enabled BRIG to continue playing a vital and constructive role in the city's life.
Ranjit Sondhi
Chair