Angelou Centre and Project Resist– July 15th, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
‘Insist, Persist, Resist’ Dr Claire Ogah
On July 15th, the Angelou Centre and Project Resist launched Stories of Colour, a powerful, survivor-led and anti-racist initiative which centres black, minoritised and migrant women’s experiences marking one year since the far-right race riots that shook communities across the North East. Held at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, this was not just an exhibition—it was a call to action.
Rooted in lived experience, Stories of Colour brought together survivors, artists, activists, and community leaders to confront the systemic racism and gender-based violence that continues to marginalise Black, racially minoritised and migrant women.
The host for the day was Odeth Richardson who is the chair of The Angelou Centre board of trustees.
The event was opened by Faty Kane, Executive Director at The Angelou Centre. Faty spoke of the impact the 2024 race riots had on black and racially minoritsed women and children and the legacy of fear and trauma it has left in it’s wake. She reiterated the need to include women in conversation, data gathering and solutions. Many of the initial community consultations met with male religious and community leaders further excluding the voices and experinces of women and children.
Faty said that ‘Stories of Colour was born in that moment of fear’ but looking around the room at the art, attendees and taking in the report with its firm focus on women’s voices, it’s clear the fear has been the catalyst for beauty, power, connection and an urgent call to action.
The Art of Storytelling
The exhibition unveiled at the event featured moving works co-created by survivors and women artists; Adah Reeve, Claire Ogah, Hira Asif, Parvin Abdur, Roohia Syed-Ahmed, and Padma Roa. Follow the Angelou Centre’s social media challenges to find out how to view the art which will hopefully be topuring North East venues.
Artist and activist Clair shared two spoken word pieces, and Odeth shared a poem ‘The Phoenix’ inspired by Maya Angelou.
‘Dr Claire Ogah’s written word poetry was stunning and hard hitting. The line ‘This is for the women who have been handed down fear as an heirloom’ was particularly poignant.’ Erin Parker Leonard.
Unveiling the Report: “Why Do I Have to Hide Away?”
A preview of the Angelou Centre’s and Project Resists’ forthcoming report, Why Do I Have to Hide Away?, was shared with attendees by keynote speaker Pragna Patel, Project Resist. Pragna spoke of the gendered nature of racism which has largely been ignored and the rise in ‘private misogyny’ alongside the rise in public acts of racism leaving women with less and less safe spaces. The report documents the lived experiences of racially minoritised women in the North East, highlighting the systemic failures that force many into invisibility. It calls for urgent reform and includes 5 recommendations on how institutions respond to racism, misogyny, and violence.
Voices That Demand Change
Three panels anchored the event, each amplifying voices too often excluded from mainstream discourse:
Survivor Narratives: Women shared their stories of survival, resistance, and healing.
Systemic Barriers: Experts and advocates examined the institutional structures that perpetuate harm.
Funding for Change: A critical discussion on the need for sustainable, survivor-led funding models.
Panel members included Janett Walker, Dania Thomas, Kiran Bishnoi, Padma Rao, Cris McCurley, Jasmine Mohammad, Claire Ogah, Sajda Nawaz-Bhatti, Ceri McGhee, Cullagh Warnock, Katie Beeching, Sukhivinder Kaur, each bringing insight, urgency, and a demand for transparency, effective policies and accountability. The three panels were expertly chaired by, Rosie Lewis, Yasmin Rehman and Steph Edusei.
Northumberland Police Crime Commissioner Susan Dunworth shared reflections on last year’s race riots. She talked about the work she has done with her team to meet and consult with the Angelou Centre to hear their stories and experiences. She spoke of being moved by the stores of two young sisters who asked, ‘are my white friends not my friends anymore’ and reiterated the commitment of the Northumberland PCC to centre black and racially minoritised women and children needs and experiences.
Represent Women Reflections
‘As we reflect on the day, one message is clear: we cannot afford to look away. The time to listen, to act, and to fund survivor-led change is now.
Something that struck me from today were the words of Angelou Centre’s Young Women’s Worker, Kiran Bishoi who spoke about her work gathering stories from young women at the project. She said, “the things they told me shook me to the bottom of my heart.” She urged us all to look deeper into young people’s eyes when they are telling us they are ok
During the funders session another important message was relayed by Sukhvinder who said, ‘by and for’s are working for their communities. Please find the women in your communities and come and talk to them’
Represent Women are committed to supporting the creation of an anti-racist region, advocating for policies that work for not against black and racially minoritised and challenging systematic and structural racism. We are continuously learning and adapting to ensure what we do supports this.’ Erin Parker Leonard
