Dr Varina Michaels’ Post

I've been involved in the arts since the 1980s as an actor, DJ & artist and went onto producing, directing & writing by the 1990s. It was during this time that I began race equality and audience development work within the arts, health, education and voluntary sectors. In 1999, the Macpherson Report in response to the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence was published. A key finding labelled the Metropolitan Police as "institutionally racist". This had ramifications on the wider public sector. Theatre also began to address institutional racism in its’ own sector. Following the Eclipse Conference on developing strategies to combat institutional racism in theatre in 2001, Arts Council England published the Eclipse Report in 2002. The reports recommendations focused on: Governance; Audience Development; Employment and Training; Equality of Opportunity; Positive Action; Programming of Black work. At this point I was appointed as an audience development consultant to work with Arts Council England. And that's what I have been doing over the last 24 years - through policy, strategy, staff training and recruitment, artist, programme and audience development - working towards a more equitable, inclusive and diverse sector and the work is on-going. I have seen the evolution of the 'diversity' conversation in the arts, as well as being aware of the context in which my work sits - from the report, ‘The Arts Britain Ignores' in 1976 by the late Naseem Khan to the Black Arts Centre proposal to find a home within Roundhouse, Camden in the mid-1980s. And there are plenty more examples. These are not new conversations. They go back decades. I mention all this as the arts sector struggles with amnesia or in some cases, the erasure of past anti-racism or diversity work, as there is little to no evidence of it available. This lack of evidence or awareness of this work means that we are consistently revisiting old conversations, recycling efforts and not progressing as much as we should have. I have the evidence and have first hand experience of this work since the 1990s. So the response to the 'Black Lives Matter' protests and the recent riots fuelled by racism and Islamophobia by many in the arts sector feels like empty gestures, as many like me have heard these calls of solidarity before, but we don't see significant change when it comes to leadership, investment and representation reflecting the diversity of England. It sometimes feels like 'performative allyship'. I continue to work with brilliant and committed people (of all ethnicities) in the arts sector, so that's not the issue. The issue is that when the arts sector does not reflect its' communities in its' power structures - we will continue to see limited progression. It's also important to put recent and current 'diversity' and 'race equality' conversations into historical context, so to stop a repetition of past efforts whilst recognising those who have contributed to this work in the past.

📚 Why do Black female artists still have to fight for respect in Hollywood? 🌟 💪 Despite their immense talent and contributions, Black female artists continue to face systemic barriers and marginalization in the entertainment industry. This article explores the ongoing struggle for respect and recognition in Hollywood. ✨ The representation of Black female artists in film and television remains disproportionately low, with limited opportunities for lead roles and authentic portrayals of their experiences. This lack of representation can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and reinforce existing biases. 🚀 The article highlights the importance of diverse storytelling and the need for industry leaders to support and champion Black female artists. By dismantling institutional biases and fostering inclusive environments, Hollywood can truly embrace the talent and perspective these artists bring. 🔍 The article calls for increased accountability and proactive efforts to address the systemic issues that hinder the progress of Black female artists. Recognizing their achievements and amplifying their voices will not only benefit individual artists but also contribute to a more representative and diverse entertainment industry. 👩🎨 Black female artists have long been at the forefront of pushing for change and challenging the status quo in Hollywood. Let's join their fight and ensure they receive the respect and opportunities they deserve. #BlackFemaleArtists #RepresentationMatters #DiversityInHollywood Link:https://buff.ly/48Gl3yT

Despite growing awareness, racial bias stubbornly persists within professional settings, manifesting through both subtle and overt discrimination. These biases not only undermine the professional contributions of black individuals but also perpetuate an environment where racial disparities thrive unchecked. Beyond professional hurdles, black professionals grapple with the emotional toll of navigating racial dynamics, balancing the pressure of representing their race with the pursuit of individual achievements. This dual burden often goes unrecognized, adding an invisible layer to their professional journey. The path forward requires us to support systemic change actively and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of black professionals. By taking actionable steps—both individually and organizationally—we can foster a truly inclusive environment where progress transcends paradox, allowing talent and ambition, rather than race, to define professional success. Let's stand together and support our black colleagues in their professional journey. #BlackProfessionals #Inclusion #Diversity #SystemicChange

Breaking Barriers: Black Superstars in Hollywood and Their Impact on Forbes Top Earners List Explore how Denzel Washington broke through racial barriers in Hollywood, securing his place among the highest-earning actors. Discover the significance of representation and diversity in the entertainment industry. #BlackSuperstars #HollywoodRepresentation #ForbesTopEarners #DenzelWashington #DiversityMatters #EntertainmentIndustry #BreakingBarriers #RacialEquality #HollywoodSuccess #CelebrityAchievements

Anti-Racist actions are destroying our institutions! Can we please stop with this race as a criteria. It is no longer an ideal for anything to be colorblind, character or merit based. In 2020 The NY Times lambasted the Berlin State Ballet, not for racism or treating minority members differently, but because they treated them the same! Anti-Racist groups are demanding that Juilliard rescind attendance violations of all black students, because it disparately affects black students. It demands that white students on probation for the same infractions remain under discipline. Museums, institutions that are always under financial difficulties, are now the target of these groups. The Art Institute of Chicago in 2021, shut down their Docent program. Docents are volunteer educators, that guide visitors throughout the museum and give insights to the displays. The Art Institute, released their 80 volunteers, and replaced them with 6 paid employees. These 80 volunteers were said to have given exceptional service, but were being let go because there were too many white volunteers. So now, an institution that constantly faces financial struggles now has to add extra costs to its operations, and receive less in return! THIS WORLD IS EATING ITSELF!

As a Black woman cinematographer, it feels like a slap in the face to attend events curated for Black women in Creative/Media Roles and not see Black women behind the camera. It has become a norm and a huge issue for myself, other women, and non-binary creatives to see the lack of representation at events for us. Before you comment, "It's who you know," "It's the references," or "It's the agencies we hire.”, do know that the excuses are unacceptable. With the number of different agencies and communities centered on getting women, specifically Black women with cameras, hired, it seems that these brands only think we are good enough to market to but not hire. What is the reason? Is it all a facade? How do you claim you are "For the culture and community," but your hiring seems to tell a different story? Let's talk about it. Also, let me shout out a few of my favorite organizations and production houses that have a goal of placing BIPOC women and non-binary creatives in these roles and can be a great resource on this journey. Feel free to share other organizations & production houses we should know about!✨ Black Women Photographers Made In Her Image third & wonder production house Ladibug Studios

As we celebrate Black History Month, I am using my platform to elevate important conversations that matter to me, which are racial equity and human rights. By using cinema and literature, I believe we can foster understanding, ignite conversations, and inspire action. My first recommendation is the Oscar-nominated documentary short film, "The Barber of Little Rock." This film tells the story of an African American barber in Little Rock, Arkansas, who is also a community activist fighting for racial equity. It provides a vivid picture of how everyday life intersects with activism, showing how ordinary citizens are often the unsung heroes in the fight for justice. "The Barber of Little Rock" is more than just a film; it's an essential historical document that showcases the power of resilience and community in the face of systemic inequality. It's a narrative that inspires us to look beyond the surface and recognize the profound impact that one individual can have on their community. Reflecting on the film's message, it's clear that we need to deepen our initiatives to bridge racial disparities in economic mobility and the acquisition of social capital. Achieving equity requires dismantling barriers in education, employment, and beyond. It demands that we question and redefine traditional routes to success, ensuring they are accessible to all, regardless of race. Please stay tuned for more recommendations, and join me in this crucial dialogue. https://lnkd.in/eN-kwXjz #BlackHistoryMonth #RacialEquity #HumanRights #SocialJustice #TheBarberofLittleRock #Documentary #OscarNominated #EconomicMobility #SocialCapital

Check out the latest issue of Watermark!

Little Black Girl, Do You Know Your Worth? Calissa Ngozi, CYC (cert) 's life started with a puzzle of identity. Adopted into a white family, she faced a unique challenge – reconciling her black identity in a predominantly white environment. Her story is one of self-discovery, race, and finding her worth against societal norms. A source of inspiration for anyone striving to embrace their identity. #SpeakerSlam #CalissaNgozi #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackAdopteeExperience #CulturalIdentity #BlackEmpowerment #BlackHistoryStrength #BlackInWhiteFamily #SelfIdentity #BlackHeritage #AdoptionStories #BlackHistoryEmpowerment #RacialIdentity #SelfWorthJourney #EmpowerBlackGirls #BlackGirlMagic