BUSINESSES and communities are coming together at inaugural Anti Racist Cumbria Summit event.

Anti Racist Cumbria is holding its first major event: The Anti Racist Cumbria Summit on Tuesday, November 2, at Brewery Arts, Kendal from 9am- 6pm.

The Summit is a day of expert led workshop sessions, panel discussions and conversations. Its purpose is to share their vision for an anti-racist county, inspire people and help them understand how they can play their part and crucially, provide practical ways for people and organisations to become anti-racist.

Joining leaders from Cumbrian organisations such as Cumberland Building Society, NHS, Cumbria County Council and more are nationally and internationally acclaimed speakers recognised for their activism.

Author, lawyer and activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu whose regular media appearances include BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and even international TV, is delivering the keynote address. Throughout the day other nationally recognised speakers and contributors include the internationally recognised founder of UK Black Pride, Lady Phyll; Billy Welch the Gypsy Leader (Shera Rom), Sonny Peart Co-Founder of Black Trail Runners, Sukhjeen Kaur founder of Chronically Brown, Aneela McKenna founder of Mor Diversity, Fitzroy Andrew of the University of East London, and Pran Patel of The Teacherist.

Working with Cumbria University and Kendal College has ensured keen students are also able to attend alongside business leaders and interested citizens meaning a wide range of backgrounds, heritages, ages and perspectives will be part of this special event.

CEO & Co-Founder Janett Walker said: “This is an exciting moment for our county and we are delighted to bring together national and local voices to discuss the vision for and relevance of anti-racism in our county.

"We hear so often that as there aren’t many Black and Brown people in Cumbria that there isn’t racism here, but anti-racism is very different to multiculturalism, anti-racism works whether or not Black and Brown people are present and it’s important to remember that racism isn’t just name calling on streets, racism is what means Black women are four times more likely to die in child-birth, racism is what means that just 6% of Black school leavers attend a Russell Group university.

"There is so much potential going to waste. Racism is a global issue and Cumbria can play its part in addressing it and it’s clear that it is ready to do so.

Summit tickets are available at: trybooking.co.uk/BGEH.