Faith in Black Lives Matter

Do you want to meaningfully walk alongside your neighbours, as an active and compassionate ally? If this sounds like you, join our Faith in Black Lives Matter Workshop Series and prepare for a journey of enlightenment and empowerment!

We’re eager to welcome you to the refreshed version of our cherished workshop series. A substantial amount of dedication and effort has been poured into enhancing this series, ensuring its responsiveness in today’s evolving social landscape. This is more than a single event—it’s a continuously evolving learning experience, just as crucial and persistent as the social issues it seeks to address.

During the workshop, you’ll delve into the core elements of allyship and community solidarity. Guided by our central query – ‘How can we respond, individually and collectively?’ – you will reflect on and ignite purposeful actions. Be energised by engaging discussions and the wisdom of our newly introduced special guest speakers.

Our esteemed OneSpirit ministers, Revs Malaika and Sue Cockerill, will continue steering these workshops, illuminating their experiences with the Black Lives Matter Movement, as well as in allyship and community activism. Our partnership with the Faith Network 4 Manchester brings a new dimension to our series. This organisation is a dynamic interfaith forum committed to fostering understanding, harmony, and unity among diverse faith groups. They’re dedicated to community growth and promoting interfaith dialogue. You can learn more here: https://fn4m.org/.

Together with such robust alliances, we’re evolving, challenging the norm, and bolstering our collective response to systemic and societal issues. Embark on this journey with us and make a tangible difference with each step you take.

Key Features

This workshop series is run in collaboration with Faith Network 4 Manchester.
You will have access to an online platform where preparation and reflection materials will be provided before and after each webinar.
In these four x 1.5 hour sessions, there will be an opportunity for reflection and prayer, to listen to human story books, group discussion to bring forward your thoughts, and ultimately working with healing and change and integrating anti-racism into ministry.
The fee for this workshop series is £25, and the full fee will be donated to Windush Defenders. This group was created at the height of the Windrush scandal to support individuals apply for legal documentation. They continue to work with and advocate for communities experiencing hostile immigration control.
Considering joining our workshop but want reassurance from those who have walked this path before you? Visit our blog post for additional testimonials from our prior participants!

Key Dates

Tuesday 6th February 2024, 7:30-9:00pm
Tuesday 13th February 2024, 7:30-9:00pm
Tuesday 20th February 2024, 7:30-9:00pm
Tuesday 27th February 2024, 7:30-9:30pm

All sessions will be held online via Zoom. We ask that those who sign-up commit to all four sessions to experience the full depth of development offered by the course.

Book Now!

“I was inspired by the honesty and openness of the facilitators. I am so glad I did this and the fact that I can’t say I enjoyed it is a compliment to the presenters. This is a meaningful course that offers the opportunity to change and behave differently but also to think and feel differently. I learned that it is important to stand up for the rights of others and not let things go because I’m embarrassed or unsure because this is the society, I live in.”

~ Joy, OneSpirit Minister

“Very inspirational, shocking and shaming at times. A very important topic. I was inspired by Malaika’s and Sue’s commitment and dedication to this work, all that they’re doing and all that they’ve achieved so far.”

~ Sylvia, OneSpirit Minister

“What a task. To take Black Lives Matter and co-create a four-week introductory course with awareness of spiritual practice and love. To design it so that information and experience deepen as the weeks go on, with links in between, culminating in a sense that I’ve now arrived at a junction. I have been held and challenged by two women who worked so well together. I was inspired by the courage and compassion of both Malaika and Sue.”

~ Lynne, OneSpirit Minister

Your Facilitators

Rev Malaika

“My own experience as a black British woman is driven by a desire to embrace our rainbow nation. I walk alongside people of all colours and creeds in an attempt to make the world a better place. I have faced racism in many forms and most recently at the hands of the police and it was this that spurred me to create a series of workshops through Faith Network where black professionals in the politics, faith settings, NHS, mental health, the police service, the armed forces, sport, and culture talked about their experience. They became human library books, lending their knowledge, experience, and life stories to bring a greater understanding of why Black Lives Matter is such an important movement. In these four sessions, we would like to share some of their stories and the learning we have gained from them.”

Sue Cockerill

“I have been on a journey with my black, brown, and white colleagues and friends here in Manchester and beyond to move, tentatively, from fear to love in addressing my role in racism. The journey had to start inside, looking at myself and will need to continue there. Exploring the white supremacist that lives in me and the privilege this has brought is where it had to begin. I also had to be prepared to take action in my own world, particularly my faith community. I know the way I have been perpetuating the suffering for my black and brown friends and colleagues and what needs to change. That is deeply shaming, and it is the place where I must begin. At this moment and at any moment we have an opportunity to make a difference and commit to change. To do that we need to acknowledge and step into, not away from, our fear and shame. Black Lives will only matter when we as white folk take this step.”