Equality and Diversity in Public Appointments – ReachOut! Supports the Call for Action

Bonnie Greer, Reanna Fagon and Frances Blackwell at Lancaster House

Privileged to be in the company of world-renowned playwright Bonnie Greer, Reanna Fagan (Year 9 star of ReachOut!’s Soccer School in Hackney) and I attended the Ambassadors for Public Appointments Network launch, this month. A truly inspirational event.

Greer’s eye-opening address gave a glimpse of her early life as a child in the US, at the time of racial segregation. She spoke of being unable to attend the 'white only' local school, and later being persuaded to quit her university Law course - by a professor who stated that “women did not belong there”! Fortunately for charities like ReachOut!, she overcame these barriers to lead the way for black women in public appointments the world over.

Greer’s shocking stories clearly showed how far we have come in recent years, towards improving equality in our everyday lives. However, we are still not quite there. At

ReachOut! we are striving promote a culture of respect for others, no matter what our differences, as well as to encourage the young people we work with to go for their goals and achieve their ambitions. Reanna and I both enjoyed ReachOut!’s first experience at Lancaster House - definite food for thought, entertainment and huge inspiration (topped off with some delicious canapés!).