Moving on Up is Action for Race Equality’s flagship employability programme, geared towards improving outcomes for young Black men, aged 16 – 24 in London.
In March 2024, we’ll be celebrating ten years since its launch in 2014, where ARE was inspired by a BBC Panorama documentary by Sol Campbell, ‘Jobs for the Boys’ which highlighted the stark employment disparities affecting young Black men in London.
To recognise those who have been championing better employment opportunities for young Black men since then, we’re hosting the Moving on Up Awards in March with generous support from our funders Trust for London and City Bridge Trust, and WTW – one of Moving on Up’s dedicated employer champions.
There are a total of seven awards to celebrate outstanding achievements or efforts that honour both individuals and organisations alike.
These are:
Outstanding Impact
For young Black men who have demonstrated a positive impact in their roles/workforces
Best Job Outcome
For young Black men who have taken part in the Moving on Up programme in Newham and Brent
‘Real’ role-model
For young Black men who have been a real inspiration or role-model to their peers, and taken practical action to support other young people or to challenge an issue.
Outstanding Employer Leadership
For London-based employers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in inclusive recruitment to make a tangible difference to their workforces
Best Employer Mentor Programme
For London-based organisations that have developed impactful mentoring programmes for their Black staff, including for young Black men
HR Hero
For Human Resources professionals across London who have committed to inclusive HR processes which have driven positive change
Public Sector Champion Award
For individuals in the public sector who have championed getting young Black men into quality jobs.
Nominations are now open.
Action for Race Equality warmly invites those who may be eligible to come forwards or to nominate others for the relevant categories.
Each of the categories will be judged by a range of Moving on Up panellists from across the voluntary, community, and corporate sectors with considerable expertise in the area of diversity, inclusion, employment, mentoring, programme support and HR.
In many ways Moving on Up (MoU) is a unique positive action initiative focused on helping London’s employers to tap into the young Black male talent pool. Moving on Up is based on collaboration across the private, public and voluntary sector and I’m delighted employers have recruited over 600 young Black men since we started work in this area. This awards event will be a celebration of that we have achieved, learnt and shared. I want to urge employers to make nominations and join us for an evening of recognition and networking.’
Jeremy Crook, Chief Executive
Action for Race Equality
Over the last decade the Moving on Up programme has made a vital contribution to work being done to improve outcomes and opportunities for young Black men in the workplace. As a funder, we’re proud to have been able to support this work. We welcome this opportunity to celebrate the wide variety of organisations and individuals whose collaboration has shaped MoU, from employers and public sector bodies, to ambassadors and local community groups
Manny Hothi, Chief Executive
Trust for London
The key dates for the awards are as follows:
- Nominations open: 19th December 2023
- Shortlist announced: 6th March 2024
- Award ceremony: 20th March 2024
There will also be a special recognition ceremony to thank key individuals who have shaped the last decade of Moving on Up and for their wider work around improving employment opportunities for young Black men.
To discuss a nomination, or if you’d like to help ARE promote the awards, please contact: Victoria@actionforraceequality.org.uk.
Header Image by Luke Agbaimoni
