THE second big event on the Migrants Forum’s Black History Month calendar was a conference titled ‘Beyond Division: Leadership, Truth and Belonging in an Age of Online Hate’.

Held in The People’s Café on October 22, the conference brought together several high profile figures who know all too well what it is like to suffer online abuse.

Among the panellists were Dr Ebun Joseph, anti-Brexit campaigner and activist Femi Oluwole, Chief Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission Alyson Kilpatrick, Michael McAvoy of the Department of Justice, Shannon Doherty of the Committee on the Administration of Justice and playwright and healthcare worker Elly Odhiambo. 

Together they examined the growing impact of online racism, misinformation and intimidation on Black and minoritised communities. 

Drawing on regional, national and international perspectives and lived experience, the panellists and contributors explored leadership and representation, institutional responsibility, community solidarity and practical policy responses. 

The overall aim of the conference was to spark a move from conversation to action by identifying practical recommendations for policy, institutional practice and cross-border cooperation. 

The afternoon of discussion was followed by lunch served in the newly opened People’s Café.