The purpose of Bristol's Commission on Race Equality (CORE) and its members.

What is the Commission on Race Equality (CORE)

The Commission on Race Equality (CORE) has been set up by Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees to look at race and ethnicity discrimination in Bristol. 

Black and Minority Ethnic communities in the city experience significant inequalities in:

  • community and engagement
  • criminal justice
  • economy
  • education
  • health and wellbeing

View the current race equality statistics.

Economy (employment and enterprise) 

The economy group considers employment and enterprise in relation to race. It scrutinises the recruitment, retention and progression practices of employers from all sectors for Black, Asian and minoritised employees, and the importance of meaningful support for local businesses and business owners.  

Health and wellbeing 

The health and wellbeing group empowers the community to access and take full advantage of the city's (mental) health and wellbeing services, provisions and resources. It promotes the use of community-centred and community-led data in decision-making as an industry standard and best practice. It influences and interrogates the commissioning of health (including mental health) and wellbeing services, provision and procurement in the city.

Education 

The education task and finish group aims to address race disparity in the city relating to education. It focuses on:

  • academic achievement
  • special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
  • school exclusions
  • curriculum
  • representation
  • career information advice and guidance
  • social, emotional, and mental health provision

Criminal justice 

The criminal justice task and finish group was re-established in May 2021 to address race disparity in the city relating to the criminal justice system. It focuses on:

  • the Avon and Somerset Lammy Review
  • training
  • representation
  • community engagement
  • commissioning
  • strategic planning 

Community engagement

This group focuses on developing regular community engagement opportunities so that CoRE's accountability is maintained and checked as a substantively representational bridge between power bases, influencers, decision makers and our communities.

What the Commission on Race Equality will do

The Commission will:

  • increase the power, representation and influence of Black, Asian Minority Ethnic people in the city and work collaboratively with partners to effect change, where necessary, across Bristol and the neighbouring regions
  • ensure the effective engagement of Black, Asian Minority Ethnic communities in the life of the city
  • provide challenge to public, private and voluntary institutions and organisations in relation to race equality
  • engage with policy and strategy developers to inform processes to ensure that race equality is embedded into planning, delivery and outcomes
  • engage with organisations and institutions (regardless of their geographical coverage) whose operations impact directly on the Black, Asian Minority Ethnic communities of Bristol
  • provide independent scrutiny, including through collaboration with The Bristol Strategic Race Equality Leaders Group, Learning City Partnership, One City Partnership Boards, HR Race Strategic Leaders Group, Bristol Equality Charter Network
  • progress a strategic action plan to be reviewed annually

pdf Read full terms of reference (420 KB)

Find out more about the work undertaken by CORE since 2018. Read the pdf full council report (379 KB) .

Members of the Bristol Commission on Race Equality (CORE)

New commissioners and CORE chair: 

  • CoRE Chair: Museji Ahmed Takolia CBE
  • Abbigael Bainton: Assistant Principal & Science Teacher, Bristol Brunel Academy
  • Dr Adeela Ahmed Shafi MBE: Associate Professor in Education, University of Gloucestershire; Founding member of Bristol Muslim Strategic Leadership Group (BMSLG)
  • Enitan Aromolaran: Matter Support Paralegal at RPC
  • Zahra Kosar: Mental Health Coordinator at Bristol Somali Resource Centre
  • Margaret Simmons-Bird: (Vice Chair), Education Consultant and Executive Lead for School Improvement at Wellsway Multi Academy Trust
  • Marie-Annick Gournet: Senior Lecturer and Director of Part-time Programmes at University of Bristol
  • Fatima Mohamed Ali: Teacher at Cotham Gardens Primary School
  • Jane Khawaja: Head of Research Development at University of Bristol
  • Zain Shaffi: Investment Consultant and Lead in Black, Asian Minority Ethnic Financial Inclusion CSR Group at Hargreaves Lansdown
  • Forward Maisokwadzo: Inclusion Advisor to the Mayor's Office
  • Euella Jackson: Engagement Producer and Talent Manager at Rising Arts Agency
  • Maya Kate-Cole: Senior Service Coordinator at Golden Key Partnership Programme
  • Marcus Walters: Senior Associate at Burges Salmon LLP
  • Jendayi Serwah: Convenor of the Afrikan ConneXions Consortium

Anyone working for or with the Bristol Commission on Race Equality will have to follow  pdf The Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles) (175 KB)

Contact us

If you have any questions about CORE, email bristolcore@gmail.com.

For more information about CORE, go to CoRE Bristol — Black South West Network.

CORE meeting minutes

You can download our CORE meeting minutes: