Racial justice issues have been recognised as a key concern for our Union for many years, with the Racial Justice Working Group being set up at the March 1995 Council in response to the growing diversity of our country and churches.  Since then it has worked towards seeing, in our Union, the realisation of the vision expressed in Revelation 7:9 – ‘After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.’ 
 
Click here for more information about how the Racial Justice Working Group was formed.
 
Over the years of its work, the National Racial Justice Hub (as it is now known) has worked with others within our Union to encourage Associations, Colleges and churches to highlight racial justice issues and promote theological reflection on them.    Particular initiatives have included the development of racial justice training provided for all involved in Baptist ministry and now delivered through Colleges and Associations.
 
In November 2007, our Union passed an historic resolution to mark the anniversary of the passing of the Slave Trade Act abolishing slavery. The resolution apologised for our part in the transatlantic slave trade.  Click here to read the text of this Apology.
 

The Journey

In response to the Apology, the Racial Justice Group was commissioned to research the nature of racial prejudice and discrimination being experienced in all areas of our Union.  The research findings reported to Council in 2011 included five recommendations, known as The Journey, which have formed the basis of the work of the National Racial Justice Hub ever since:

• Building multicultural congregations
• Developing the leadership skills of black and minority ethnic youth 
• Training of ministers and church members for culturally inclusive ministry and mission
• Multicultural events that strengthen the participation of BME individuals in Union life and celebrate the cultural diversity within our Union
• Establishing culturally inclusive Union structures

 
The current members of our National Racial Justice Hub are:
 

	Gerard Goshawk – Minister, Six Ways Baptist Church, Erdington, Birmingham
	Wale Hudson-Roberts – Baptist Union Justice Enabler
	Mary Taylor – Regional Minister – Yorkshire Baptist Association

Current work

Their current areas of work include development of the Local Justice Hubs and a variety of resources to help churches to become truly multicultural.
 
Please click here if you would like to contact the National Racial Justice Hub.