West Midlands hosts first roundtable of national Race Equalities Engagement Group to mark Black History Month

The West Midlands has hosted the national Race Equality Engagement Group's (REEG) first thematic roundtable to mark the start of Black History Month.

Mayor Richard Parker and Minister for Equalities, Semma Malhotra MP, joined Baroness Lawrence, chair of the REEG, and leaders from ethnic minority communities at the Legacy Centre of Excellence in Birmingham.

The roundtable focused on access to finance for ethnic minority entrepreneurs as well as the Police Race Action Plan. It is the first of many discussions to support plans to remove barriers to opportunity and tackle racial inequality.

Members met members of the West Midlands Race Equalities Taskforce (WMRET), set up by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to look at the specific issues facing under-represented communities to ensure that everyone benefits from the success of the region.

The Legacy Centre is the location of one of five business hubs set up by the WMCA, the WMRET, and Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) specifically to provide business growth support to entrepreneurs in some of the region's most diverse neighbourhoods.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: "The West Midlands is one of the most diverse regions in the UK, and I was proud to show the Race Equalities Engagement Group first-hand the action we’re taking to make sure no one feels their race, ethnicity or heritage is a barrier to getting a fair start, securing a good job, or having somewhere safe and decent to live.

“My Growth Plan sets out how we will go even further in raising living standards for everyone through better skills training, improved public transport, and the biggest social housing programme we’ve seen in decades.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, with Baroness Doreen Lawrence, left, chair of the Race Equalities Engagement Group, and Seema Malhotra MP, the government’s Minister for Equalities, and other members of the Race Equalities Engagement Group.

The REEG was established in March 2025 to further strengthen the government’s links with ethnic minority communities, enabling effective, two-way dialogue on our work to tackle persistent ethnic inequalities.

Also at the meeting in Birmingham were representatives from the Department for Business and Trade, the British Business Bank, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Avon and Somerset Police.

Seema Malhotra MP, Minister for Equalities, said: "No one should be held back or denied opportunities because of their race.

"I was pleased to join the first thematic meeting of the Race Equality Engagement Group where we discussed improving access to investment for ethnic minority led businesses and the Police Race Action Plan - two key areas in which we want to address persistent racial inequalities.

"I am committed to working closely with the group to remove barriers, strengthen accountability and help create a fairer society for communities up and down the country."

Baroness Lawrence, chair of the REEG, said: “Collaboration between ethnic minority communities and the Government is crucial in this current climate. The Race Equality Engagement Group is working to ensure ethnic minorities’ voices are heard having their say on the issues that matter most to them."

“I look forward to working with members to bring about real and lasting progress on race equality.”

Find out more about the work of the West Midlands Race Equalities Taskforce on the WMCA website.