From Allyship to Action: Building an Inclusive, Anti-Racist Future for Nursing
An in-person event for North West members from multicultural backgrounds and their allies.
22 Oct 2026, 10:00 - 16:00
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Book onto our celebration for Black History Month.
Join us for a full day at the Friends' Meeting House in Manchester to celebrate Black History Month!
Open to all North West RCN members, you are invite to join us in celebration, to listen to speakers, to ask questions and join in with the discussions and workshops. This year we will be exploring the theme: From Allyship to Action: Building an Inclusive, Anti-Racist Future for Nursing and has been organsied by the member-led North West Multicultural Group.
Agenda:
09:45 -10.30 - Registration and Refreshments
10:30-10:40 - Welcome & Introduction - Olanike Babalola, (Chair)
10:40-11:05 - Estephanie Dunn, Non-Executive Director of the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN)
Estephanie will discuss exceptionalism and how intentional and unintentional actions can negatively impact equity, inclusion and belonging in healthcare. Her session will encourage reflection on bias, challenge inequitable practices, and promote more inclusive workplaces for all.
11:05-11:30 - Temitope Babajide, General Practice Nurse
Temitope Babajide, General Practice Nurse, leader, and creator of both the General Practice Nurse Starter Manual and a separate nursing-themed colouring book, will share her inspiring journey in primary care. Her session will recognise and celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of Black nurses, while showcasing the achievements, leadership and influence of Black nursing professionals in the Northwest and beyond.
11:30 -11:45 – Comfort Break
11:45-12:10 - Patricia Hughes, Associate Director RCN: Nursing Practice Nursing
The session will also focus on equality, leadership and career progression, encouraging greater representation of Black nurses in senior and decision-making roles.
12:10-12:15 - RCN President Bejoy Sebastian (Video)
Bejoy will provide a brief reflection on the importance of allyship and inclusive leadership in nursing. He will highlight the valuable contributions of Black nurses across health and social care and encourage attendees to champion equality, inclusion and belonging within their workplaces
12:15-12:35 - Networking. Do you know...? Get to know... facilitated by MCG member Susan Owen-Naz
Name, RCN member or not, role, where they work, come from today, what they love to do at their spare time and who or what inspires them?
12:35-13:35 - Lunch
13:35-14:00 - Anandi Ramamurthy, Professor of Media and Culture, Sheffield Hallam University; Principal Investigator, Nursing Narratives: Racism and the Pandemic; Co-Editor, Anti-Racist Nursing and Midwifery: A Resource for Students, Practitioners and Activists.
Anandi will discuss the Anti-Racist Nursing and Midwifery book, the Nursing Narratives research project, and the film "Exposed" ()
14:00-14:15 - Creative slot: Spoken word poetry workshop led by Faridat Ibidun
"Finding Our Voice": identity, belonging and community in nursing.
14:15-14:45 - Workshop: The Allyship in Action Challenge
Facilitator: Alan White, RCN Senior Officer and NW Lead for EDI
This interactive workshop will move participants from listening to action, providing an opportunity to develop practical solutions that promote allyship, inclusion and anti-racist practice within nursing and healthcare settings.
14:45-14:50 - Comfort Break
14:50-15:45 - Panel Discussion: From Allyship to Action - Real Conversations on Race, Career and Belonging in Nursing
Panel members will explore lived experiences of racism, career progression, representation and what meaningful allyship looks like in practice, followed by audience questions and final reflections
PANEL MEMBERS
- Estephanie Dunn: (Non-Executive Director of the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN)
- Mark Keegan; Corporate Director of Nursing & Workforce Education, MFT
- Racheal Okungbowa; Lead Advanced Clinical Practitioner, GIT Medicine & Surgery, Manchester Royal Infirmary Oxford Road.
- Melissa Moyo: Nursing Associate Apprentice
- Jeremiah Maina: RCN Rep
15:45-16:00 Closing Remarks & Reflections
Simon Browes (RCN NW Regional Director)
Book now to avoid missing out!
This event will take place in person and is open to all North West RCN members and we welcome nursing staff who are non-members on this occasion.
A sandwich lunch is provided.
For further information regarding the aims and objectives of the NW Multicultural Group, please visit our webpage.
Olanike Babalola
Olanike.Babalola@reps.rcn.org.uk
6 Mount Street
Manchester
M2 5NS
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Page last updated - 20/10/2026
