In this episode Deborah, Jo, Monica and Orlene talk openly about the impact of racism from their personal and professional perspectives.

This conversation reaches to the heart of the podcast series. It lays bare the pain and trauma that remains everyday experience for Black people and that demands recognition and anti-racist action from individuals, communities and organisations.

Related resources

Tips for everyday living: racism and mental health, Mind

Healing from racial trauma, Therapy Today, October 2021

Contributors

Deborah Barnett

Deborah Barnett

Deborah is Anti Racist Strategic Lead for Hackney Children and Education directorate. She has played a key role in the directorate's drive to embed anti racism as a core principle and aspect of work and practice.

A former headteacher, school development manager and education policy lead, Deborah has worked in inner city schools with young people at risk of school exclusion and extra-familial harm. She has over 20 years of teaching, mentoring and pastoral leadership in various educational settings, with a focus on young people experiencing disproportionality in education, social care and the criminal justice system.

Jo Holmes

Jo Holmes

Jo is the Children, Young People and Families Lead at BACP, based within the policy team. Jo has a background in youth justice, youth work, extended schools and eventually school counselling. Jo leads on policy and campaign work linked to the provision of free at the point-of-access Government funded counselling in schools and other accessible community settings.

Monica Imbert

Monica Imbert

Monica is Interim Director of Outcomes Business Intelligence and Strategy at the London Borough of Hackney. She has over 12 years local government service specialising in leading key projects, programmes and operations, particularly in organisations delivering services to the public and undergoing significant change.

Orlene Badu

Orlene Badu

Orlene is an author and leadership consultant at Orlene Badu Consulting.  She's passionate about the education and personal development of all children irrespective of background, and specialises in building and sustaining successful leadership teams to drive ever-improving outcomes. She has previously worked throughout the education sector, as a headteacher, school improvement partner and system lead for Hackney’s Young Black Men’s project. She is driven by the education of black children and young people and ensuring access to opportunities for all.