Black Europeans was set up to address systemic racism post-Brexit; they describe their mission as follows: “an initiative was born out of the urgent need to address systemic racism and create long-term, meaningful change – not just in policy, but in the lived experiences of people of colour throughout the continent.”
May 2026
On 7 May 2026, Black Europeans convened the Landmark Social Diplomacy Summit in Bristol to raise urgent awareness among member states’ diplomatic missions about the difficult situation facing EU citizens who have been told by the Home Office that their EU Settlement Status was granted in error and will therefore not be upgraded. This has left individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK facing deep uncertainty, with the risk of becoming undocumented and without a clear alternative path forward. Representatives from the following embassies and consulates were in attendance:
- Austria
- Romania
- Portugal
- Ireland
- Spain
Representatives from the Independent Monitoring Authority and the Home Office were also present.
September 2026
The next stage took place on 10 September in London. Black Europeans brought together representatives from partner organisations, EU institutions, embassies and youth organisations for an event at the University of Westminster: ‘Bright Future: Racialised European Diaspora Youth Event.’ Held in partnership with the University of Westminster, European Movement UK and Young European Movement UK, it forms part of an ongoing effort to build closer relationships with EU institutions, embassies, and consulates.
Through this strategy, they aim to strengthen visibility, deepen engagement, and ensure that racialised Europeans are meaningfully included in shaping Europe’s future.
The event focused on the challenges facing European diaspora and the importance of diverse youth engagement in shaping the future of the UK-EU relationship and the wider European Project.
A packed programme of workshops and discussions highlighted the achievements and challenges facing racialised Europeans. Black Europeans CEO Aké Achi briefed delegates on the implications for European citizens resident in the UK whose Settled Status has been summarily changed by the Home Office. He referred to specific case studies as illustrations of the distress and confusion this has caused.
Representatives from Seraphus solicitors gave key information regarding the EU Settlement Scheme, including the effects of late application, grants in error and long absences from the UK.
Madeleina Kay of YEM introduced the children’s book ‘Faraway Friends: Robyn Robin Flies to France’, which she wrote and illustrated in conjunction with European Movement UK. The book is intended to introduce children to the value of cultural exchange with a EU country and will be available for schools to order.
The event highlighted vital topics and championed diversity in a political environment that all too often overlooks these fundamental subjects.
Workshop topics included:
- ERASMUS+ Programme – Opening access to European learning, mobility, and youth opportunities
- Black women in leadership: Diplomacy, Business and Social Justice
- European Diaspora Against Racism: Anti-Racism partnership
- Diaspora Diversity Ambassadorship mentoring programme – Creating pathways into diplomacy for racialised European youth
Gillian Cowell, Head of Gender and Inclusion at the British Council, explained how they will be spearheading the Erasmus+ Programme. There will be a huge range of opportunities for placements such as adult education, skills development and women-owned businesses. There will be a much stronger focus on diversity and inclusion, which was at the forefront for UK’s proposals for rejoining the programme, thereby encouraging people outside the main middleclass demographic.
Students attending the workshop on Black women in leadership will have been inspired by the speakers – young high achieving women who have all initiated activities to help other racialised Europeans. Look out for Khatija Bashar, Irish citizen, Founder of the Anti-racism Initiative, Deborah Okegbile, Irish citizen, Founder of AVBG (A Very Beautiful Girl), Ana Amona, Portuguese citizen, Europeers UK mentor, and Hielen Tekeste Berhe, Italian citizen, Founder of The Fair Grocer and Advocate for Black Europeans.
Sona Barbosa, Therapeutic Service Lead, Step Forward (young people Services), gave a sobering account of the difficulties faced by some racialised European young people in the UK whose status has been thrown into doubt by the Home Office withdrawing their parents’ Settled Status. The case studies highlighted the effects on their mental health due to their insecure immigration status.
Anja Fahlenkamp, Deputy Head for Culture and Education at the Embassy of Germany discussed creating pathways into diplomacy for racialised European youth. Aminata Sissoko, Policy Analyst, European Commission, highlighted issues facing Black women
in leadership roles; too often they are expected to justify themselves in a way that their counterparts are not.
There was welcome input from Gerry Wildron, First Secretary (Irish Community & Cultural, Embassy of Ireland, exploring how they can work with Black Europeans going forward.
Mike Galsworthy, Chair of European Movement UK, gave the closing remarks, confirming that the newly established association with Black Europeans is set to grow and expand.
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