Bright Futures hosts inaugural REND Manchester to champion racial equity in education

Bright Futures Educational Trust proudly hosted the first-ever REND Manchester on Friday 13 February, bringing together educators, students and leaders from across the country for an evening of connection, reflection and action on racial equity in education.

Held at the Royal Nawaab – The Pyramid Building in Stockport, the Racial Equity Networking Dinner (REND) marked the movement’s first event in the city, building on its growing national momentum.

Founded by Sufian Sadiq, Chief Talent & Transformation Officer at Chiltern Learning Trust, REND has become a powerful platform for meaningful dialogue, courageous leadership and tangible change across the education sector.

The evening opened with vibrant networking and a live musical performance by Esther, a student from Cedar Mount Academy, Gorton, placing student voice and creativity at the heart of the event.

Jackson Ogunyemi (Action Jackson) welcomed guests with an impromptu rendition of ‘Lean on Me’, with the audience quick to join in, creating an atmosphere of warmth and unity. Setting the tone for the night, he invited guests to celebrate one another, reinforcing the event’s core themes of connection, confidence and collective possibility.

In her welcome address, Lisa Fathers OBE, Interim CEO of Bright Futures, spoke about “the art of the possible” and the Trust’s commitment to celebrating diversity in education. Reflecting personally on her father’s journey – arriving from Tanzania at 18 and becoming a teacher and later head teacher – she shared a powerful reminder that anything is possible. She also signposted the Greater Manchester Learning Partnership (GMLP) where school leaders across GM have worked together to develop a race equality framework built around five key competencies — Commitment, Culture, Communication, Challenge and Competence — supported by the Mayor and Local Authority leads as a free, practical resource to strengthen inclusion across the region. Lisa reinforced the message that children deserve to see themselves reflected in their teachers, leaders and education professionals.

Throughout the evening, Jackson Ogunyemi brought his signature E4 Method – Energy, Entertainment, Empowerment and Education – combining music, humour and heartfelt appreciation for educators. He paid tribute to the resilience and impact of teachers, reminding the room that those working in education do not always recognise the profound difference they make each day. Sharing stories from his workshops and assemblies, he described a Year 11 student who told him that day, “Sir, thank you so much for today. You gave me a wake-up call. My life is going to be better now,” prompting a standing reminder to guests: you are there day in, day out, changing lives.

Harroop Kaur Sandhu, Vice President of the Chartered College of Teaching, delivered a thought-provoking address on leadership progression and racial equity. She challenged attendees to move beyond individual incidents and instead examine the patterns that shape organisational culture. “Power shapes judgement, and judgement shapes outcomes,” she said. “Patterns become culture.” She emphasised that equity strengthens rigour and that improving racial literacy sharpens leadership judgement, builds trust and improves decision-making across organisations.

Artist and facilitator Keisha Thompson offered a powerful spoken-word reflection on identity, belonging and navigating education as a young Black girl in Manchester. She spoke about the encouragement of teachers who framed her words and coaxed her to write more, alongside the exhaustion of feeling reduced to data within a system that did not always feel designed for her. Through poetry, including her piece ‘Algebra’, she explored how “when you start to talk, things start to add up”, reminding the audience that voice and creativity are central to empowerment.

Student voice remained at the heart of the evening as Sreeja, a student at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, spoke candidly about her journey as a South Asian woman in Manchester. She shared optimism for the future and deep gratitude for the teachers who had acted as allies and champions. “Our cultures are our strengths,” she said. “Our perspectives will not and cannot be overlooked.” Her call for greater representation in leadership, particularly in one of the UK’s most multicultural regions, resonated strongly across the room.

REND Manchester joins a growing network of events across the country, reflecting a tangible appetite among educators to create equitable pathways for all students. Addressing the audience, Sufian Sadiq said: “We can either sit back and do nothing, or rally together and make change. The power of allyship, friendship and raising one another up is what truly makes the difference.”

The evening concluded with reflection, celebration and renewed determination to ensure the conversations sparked continue far beyond one night. REND Manchester was proudly sponsored by Steplab and Supporting Education Group.

With energy, honesty and shared purpose filling the room, the inaugural REND Manchester demonstrated that when educators come together with courage and curiosity, meaningful change is not just possible — it is already underway.

Click here to watch our REND 2026 video