https://lnkd.in/gBxTRMGU “Black Thriving in America: 2026” is the fourth installment of a 100-year research commitment. This year’s edition represents an evolution in scope and analytical depth. The report examines the wellbeing of Black Americans through decades of research and surveys. For the first time, the study places American findings within a global framework, comparing U.S. wellbeing data with Gallup’s World Poll across approximately 140 countries and territories. While the report’s headline finding offers encouragement — Black thriving has rebounded to 49%, narrowing the gap with other groups — the data reveal a more complicated story.

There are some experiences of being a Black woman in academia that you don’t always know how to explain. I’ve experienced being passed up for opportunities. There have been times when students have looked surprised when I’ve walked into a lecture room, moments that make you wonder who they expected to see when they walked through the door. And there are moments when you can be surrounded by colleagues, yet still feel alone. Not because there aren’t people around you, but because you’re navigating experiences that are difficult to explain to people who have never had to think about them. And sometimes, you just want a space where you can say: "You get it." This is part of why the Safe Space Initiative for Black Women in Academia is being created. I’m really proud to be part of the team creating this space. It has been really meaningful to hell bring this vision to life alongside Dr Ifeoma Dan-Ogosi, SFHEA , Olerato Ogotseng, PhD , CHINEDUM EKENE-SAMUEL BEng. , MSc, MNSE, PGCert LTHE, FHEA. And Dr. Tinkuma Edafioghor who believe that Black women in academia deserve spaces where they can connect, feel supported and have honest conversations about their experiences. On Wednesday 30 September 2026, we are officially launching the initiative at UWE Bristol , bringing people together to create opportunities for connection, support, honest conversation and community for Black women in academia across the UK. Come if you want a safe space for honest and inspiring conversations. Come if you want to connect with other Black women in academia. Come if you want to build meaningful connections and community. Come if you want to learn more about the initiative and what we hope to create. Come if you’re an ally who wants to listen, learn and discover how you can support. Come if you’re simply curious about what this could become. Come because you want to be part of the conversation. If you’re thinking, “I know someone who needs to be in that room,” tag them, share this post or send it to them. And if that person is you , I hope you’ll join us. Scan the QR code on the flyer to register.

Marcia Brissett Bailey is an award-winning author, informatist, educator and leading advocate for dyslexia, neurodiversity and intersectionality.  A Black British dyslexic woman of Jamaican heritage, she is the author of Black, Brilliant and Dyslexic and a Forbes featured writer whose work centres visibility, equity and lived experience leadership.   Brissett Bailey is a Registered Career Development Professional, multi award winner, Diversity Power List honouree, UEL Change Maker, Rising Stars Winner and recognised as one of the Top 50 Influential Neurodivergent Women in the UK.  She is Co Founder of BleND CIC (Black Leadership, Excellence and Neurodiversity), a community centred organisation amplifying Black neurodivergent voices and driving systemic change.  Her work spans education, careers coaching, public speaking and consultancy, with a focus on representation, intersectionality and authentic storytelling. Watch the full short film on Serendipity's YouTube channel today by visiting: https://lnkd.in/epvXundC Be a part of the project and celebrate your story.  For further information visit: https://lnkd.in/eYSjyvVj Making the Invisible Visible: Black Women 365 Days of the Year is an exciting initiative led by Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage. Each day will showcase a different woman, whose story has shaped Black British or global Diasporic history; many of whom remain overlooked or under-celebrated in mainstream narratives. This will take the form of a rolling programme of short films, released throughout the year to keep these stories in daily circulation and to create an evolving constellation of leadership, resistance, artistry and enduring impact.

What happens when two women who’ve spent their careers opening doors decide to build one of their own? Meet Michelle Sarpong and Shay Frederick , the women behind ECHO. Michelle has spent 18 years in UK media, from Campaign A List and Cannes Juror to Head of Activation at the7stars. She also co-founded Women in Trading and sat on NABS’ Finance Committee, championing spaces where others could have a seat at the table. Shay built her career in programmatic, progressing to Programmatic Director and founding WPP’s Black Employee Network. Oh, and she also won a silver medal for Great Britain in American football. Because why not? Two very different careers. One shared belief: community matters. They kept seeing the same gap. Lots of diversity panels. Not enough real community. Spaces where people could show up as themselves, feel seen and find belonging beyond a one-hour event. So they stopped waiting for someone else to build it. One conversation became another. Then another. And eventually, ECHO was born. Empowering Communities. Honouring Origins. Not another event. Not another campaign. A community for Black professionals who’ve ever felt like they didn’t quite fit. They didn’t build the community they thought the industry needed. They built the one they wish they’d had. 🎥 Watch the clip below. Meet the women behind ECHO and hear why it matters.

𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 We are deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Jason Arday and the events that led to his death. As an organisation constituted specifically to support Black scholars in academia, this particular story has resonated deeply within our community. We have taken some time to reflect and to have in-depth conversations with our community about the need for greater protection, care, and support for Black academics, both within and outside the UK. We affirmed the importance of protecting our mental health, individually and collectively, recognising that our wellbeing matters, as we are mindful of the wider constituency we represent as a network of Black-identifying scholars in the UK. We recognise the intense scrutiny that Black scholars across the world experience in their journeys towards success in academia. We therefore reiterate the call for institutions to provide informed, deliberate, and meaningful support, particularly for pioneers in their respective fields. We also advocate for diversity and inclusion policies that extend beyond tokenism and towards institutional structures that protect Black scholars from the kind of targeted scrutiny and attention that was levelled at Jason Arday. To the wider community of Black scholars, we recognise the depth of emotions that you may be experiencing at this moment. At Black Scholars Connect, we will continue to create spaces where we can process difficult moments together, challenge harmful structures, and support one another. We do not have to navigate these experiences alone.

How can organisations make their Black History Month events create conversations that last beyond October? In the lead-up to Black History Month, we’re spotlighting influential speakers who bring important perspectives, expertise and experiences to the stage. This week, we’re highlighting David O., an award-winning historian, broadcaster, author and Professor of Public History. Through his keynote talks, David explores Black British history, race and identity, connecting the past with the issues shaping modern Britain today. His combination of academic expertise and compelling storytelling encourages audiences to reflect, challenge perspectives and engage in meaningful conversations. For organisations planning their Black History Month programmes, David offers an opportunity to create an event that informs, engages and leaves a lasting impact. Discover more about David Olusoga and his speaking engagements through the London Keynote Speakers Agency. #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM2026 #DavidOlusoga #BlackBritishHistory #KeynoteSpeaker #LondonEvents

This is for the Black woman who is excelling in college and exhausted at the same time. You have felt it. Walking into a lecture hall, a study group, or a campus event and realizing you are the only one again. The quiet work of navigating spaces that were not designed with you in mind. The second-guessing. The bracing. The loneliness that does not always have a name. That experience is real, it is valid, and it deserves more than just pushing through. BLKGRL@PWI is a closed 8-week group for Black women navigating predominantly white colleges and universities, led by Dr. Bianca Busch, MD, dual board-certified psychiatrist and founder of The College Psychiatrist. This is a small, intentional cohort, not an open drop-in group, so real trust and real growth can happen. You will walk away with real tools for the moments that wear you down, language for the experiences that are hard to name, and a community of women who understand without explanation. Because you deserve a space where you can exhale. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gJHEd8AF

Rochester Institute of Technology - Saunders College of Business welcomes Jamel Catoe, a Ph.D. candidate from University of North Carolina at Charlotte , who will present his research on “An Exploration of ‘Work-from-Anywhere’ as a Pathway to Enhanced Subjective Well-being.” His research explores how work-from-anywhere (WFA) arrangements influence the well-being of Black American workers. 🔗 rit.edu/aes/ffcep

As Black History Month approaches, our Speaker Spotlight series continues, exploring voices whose work can help organisations engage with the histories, experiences and conversations behind the month. For the second instalment, we’re spotlighting Akala, an award-winning author, rapper, poet and social commentator. Akala is the author of the Sunday Times bestseller 'Natives: Race & Class in the Ruins of Empire', in which he examines the intersections of race, class and Britain’s imperial history, combining historical analysis with his own lived experience. These themes are central to Akala’s work on stage, where he explores how history, race, class and inequality continue to influence contemporary British society. His ability to connect the past with present-day experiences gives audiences the context to examine established ideas, consider perspectives beyond their own and engage with complex conversations around race and inclusion. For organisations, Black History Month can be an opportunity not only to celebrate, but to create space for education and open dialogue. Bringing a speaker such as Akala into that programme can provide a strong starting point for conversations that remain relevant beyond October. Discover more about Akala and his speaking topics through the Diversity & Inclusion Speakers Agency. #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM2026 #Akala #DiversityAndInclusion #RaceAndClass #BlackHistory #InclusiveWorkplace #KeynoteSpeaker

Before we get started, we’d like to introduce ourselves! We are Black Research White Researcher (BRWR), an inclusive initiative designed to transform how researchers engage and work with Black communities. Through a programme of webinars, workshops and events, BRWR aims to equip researchers with the knowledge, confidence and practical tools to cultivate cultural humility, challenge assumptions and biases, build authentic and equitable partnerships, and embed inclusive approaches throughout the research lifecycle. Look out for more updates coming soon!👀 #BRWR #PPIE #HealthResearch #PatientEngagement #PatientVoice #Healthcare #Research #Communities