Kids of Colour aims to challenge and draw attention to every day, micro aggressive and institutionalised racism experienced by young people of colour (Y-PoC) in the UK.

Mainstream society does not want to talk about race or admit that we are all part of (with many thriving from) racism. It is time to stop avoiding the deeply racist ideologies the UK is built on and challenge the prevalent beliefs that let Y-PoC down. Kids of Colour will shift false narratives (gang members, drug dealers, intruders, terrorists), instill empathy in society for an excluded demographic, and build a network of Y-PoC and White Allies across the UK to become advocates who challenge racist beliefs, approaches and institutional norms.

Organisations and the justice system across the UK frame racism as ‘hate’. Meanwhile, the silent racism that Y-PoC experience in their schools, workplaces, community and public continues to deepen divides. Their experiences show that any progress that society claims it is making is purely superficial. Much of what young people are experiencing is not hateful, but micro-aggressive, subtle, sometimes unintentional, but still racist – affecting Y-PoCs’ daily interactions and making them ‘want to be white’.

Society’s failure to humanize Y-PoC is fatal. They are missing from everyday thought, while every day they are being stabbed on the streets of London, tackling right to remain cases, suffering poorer mental health or living in poverty – all due to institutional racism. It is time everyone valued their experiences and viewed them as equal citizens. It is easier to lack empathy for those ‘other’ to society’s ‘default’. It is easier to take one-dimensional portrayals seen in headlines as fact.

Society does not understand, or promote, the everyday experiences and challenges faced by Y-PoC; it must be addressed. Having worked closely with young people in Greater Manchester since 2014, I have seen firsthand the daily challenges they face due to race. They know we do not live in a post-racial society. They do not see themselves represented or supported, and want to speak out, connect to each other, and inform wider society.

I have run Kids of Colour since February 2018. To date, it has collected stories for its YouTube channel , featured in The Voice, on BBC Five Live, and started an event series, as seen here:

In addition, I am currently creating a White Allies Network, and Kids of Colour Network through support from volunteers who have followed the project's progress.

However, this work is currently not funded. It is paid for through my full time job and has progressed thanks to in-kind support from wonderful people!

People have been asking where they can make donations. Until Kids of Colour is an official organisation, you are welcome to donate here and I will keep this page up to date with where your money is going! For now, any donations will go towards event/workshop costs and resources; ensuring young people who support can be paid or rewarded for their time; some filming equipment; and dependent on donations received, the cost of a filmmaker for a longer documentary.

Meanwhile, I will continue to apply for funding and hope that someone believes in the project's cause! I am grateful for any support given, and if you've come this far, thank you so much for reading and learning more about Kids of Colour.