Ealing Council has announced 12 commissioners for the borough’s new independent Race Equality Commission, selected from a range of backgrounds and ages, to reflect the diversity of the community.

The commissioners’ first meeting took place on Thursday, 21 January to discuss how inequality can be addressed in education, employment, crime and justice, health and housing.

Chairperson Lord Simon Woolley said: “We had an excellent first meeting: Full, frank, but nevertheless, ambitious. Above all the Commissioners like myself want to engage and deliver an action plan that will bring people together, unleash talent, and break down persistent barriers. The work starts now.”

The commission will report its initial findings to the council later this year.

A call for evidence

You are invited to share your views with the commission over the next few months to help them with their work.

It is seeking views on experiences of inequality and what the impact of race inequality has been on you, your family, your friends or on others.

This will allow the 12 commissioners to collectively carry out a review to understand the impacts of racial inequality in the borough and how it can be reduced.

See below for details on how you can get involved.

Meeting the 12 commissioners

The commission is led by chairperson Lord Simon Woolley, and vice-chairperson Councillor Joanna Camadoo-Rothwell, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for community safety and inclusion. Lord Woolley was appointed first.

A further 10 commissioners have been appointed from within the borough’s diverse community:

Ami Kourouma
Youth commissioner

Lawand Omar
Youth commissioner

Edmund Akeju
From West London Equality Centre, working on hate crime project and dealing with general case work, especially housing and family matters.

Nicola Flash
Local secondary school biology teacher, passionate about racial equality and combating racism.

Rev Mark Poulson
Former secondary school teacher, vicar of St John’s Church, Southall, and adviser to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Convenor of Southall Faiths Forum and has lead responsibility for inter-faith awareness training in London.

Denise Charles
Head of Curriculum for Service Industries, West London College and member of management committee for local charity Descendants who work with children and young people (4-16) primarily of African and Caribbean descent.

Edmund Yeo
Chairperson of the Chinese Information and Advice Centre in central London.

Mohan Luthra
Public policy consultant with experience of working in the voluntary sector in Ealing, national and local government.

Laura Forrester
Laura is a local government lawyer specialising in adult social care and a director of a community interest company. She is passionate about the principle of equality and fairness to all.

Callum Anderson
Chairperson of Dormers Wells Learning Trust and governor at both Dormers Wells High School and West London College. He works as a government relations manager for a FTSE 100 company.

‘I’m really excited to be involved’

Youth commissioner Lawand Omar, 19, who lives in Northolt, said: “I’m really excited to be involved in the Equality Commission for Ealing. I plan to make sure the voice of young people in Ealing is heard. What I really want to bring into fruition is the experience of young people in the British education system, and to have real conversations about racism. I did a bit of research into other race commissions. I also looked at the Lammy report and I really want to bring the youth aspect into the commission.”

‘We have a dynamic set of commissioners’

Councillor Camadoo-Rothwell said: “We have a dynamic set of commissioners, including Ealing residents from a range of backgrounds and young people, who reflect our diverse community. Collectively, they have a strong balance of experience and skills which will ensure a robust assessment of local, structural inequalities and how these can be tackled. 

“Combined with the unrivalled expertise of the independent chair, Lord Simon Woolley, the Race Equality Commission will be instrumental in developing a new understanding of race inequality in Ealing and transforming residents’ lives.” 

Get involved

Write to the commission at raceequalitycommission@ealing.gov.uk
or by post:
Race Equality Commission
Perceval House,
14/16 Uxbridge Road,
Ealing
W5 2HL