8a Intentions in Motion: Reflecting on 2024, Focusing on 2025
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Happy New Year to you ALL.
Welcome to Bridging the Years, the first episode of ARMOUR or OURARM for 2025. As we step into this new year, we pause to reflect on the lessons, triumphs, and growth of 2024. What did the past year teach us? How did it shape who we are today? More importantly, we’ll set our sights on the year ahead—exploring the power of intention and the possibilities it holds.
This year, we’re inviting the entire ARM collective to join us in a special way: by choosing and sharing one word that captures their intention for 2025. Whether it’s ‘growth,’ ‘balance,’ ‘resilience,’ or something deeply personal, we believe these words have the power to inspire and guide us as a community.
So, settle in as we take a thoughtful journey through reflection, intention, and the collective wisdom of the Anti-Racist Movement.
Let’s start 2025 with clarity and connection.”
7b Breaking the Silence: ADHD, Leadership and the Black Woman’s Experiences – Shantel and Laurelle
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In this deeply moving season finale of ARM-OUR, Laurelle and I hold nothing back as we delve into the intricate intersection of neurodiversity, leadership, and identity. As Black women navigating the dual worlds of executive leadership and ADHD (and dyslexia), we explore the layers of complexity, resilience, and vulnerability that come with breaking stereotypes and challenging expectations. This conversation is a raw, honest reflection on the highs and lows of our journeys—offering insights, solidarity, and a reminder that we’re never alone in the struggle or the triumph.
Laurelle Brown is CEO of the award winning Laurelle Brown Training and Consultancy which helps systems, leadership & practice work better for racialised children; Co-founder of Kijiji -The community for Black safeguarding children professionals and a proud ADHD-er.
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a joyful and prosperous 2025!!! We appreciate all your support thus far!!!
7a Championing Change: A Conversation with Dr. Beverley Barnett-Jones MBE
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Welcome to this special episode, where we have the privilege of sitting down with the extraordinary Dr. Beverley Barnett-Jones MBE. With decades of experience in social work and child protection, Dr. Barnett-Jones has dedicated her life to improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families. A trailblazer in her field, she has not only transformed social work practice but has also influenced policy at a national level.
In this candid and inspiring conversation, we delve into her personal journey, exploring the experiences that shaped her passion for social justice. From her early days as a frontline social worker to receiving her MBE for her contributions to the profession, Dr. Barnett-Jones shares invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of her career.
Whether you’re a social work practitioner, an advocate for change, or simply curious about the human stories behind this vital profession, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the life and work of one of the most respected voices in the field.
Join us as we celebrate resilience, compassion, and the profound impact of a life devoted to serving others.
NB: This episode was recorded over the summer and was the 1st in a series of 1-2-1 conversations with key players doing great work in the space.
6a Dear Daughter … An exploration of the experiences of African-Caribbean women as mothers in the UK.
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Welcome to another episode of ARM-OUR or OUR-ARM, the podcast hosted by me, Shantel Thomas, founder of the Anti-Racist Movement (A.R.M.). Today, we have a special one-on-one conversation with Shirleecia Ward—a remarkable woman with an incredible story and purpose. Shirleecia is an African-Caribbean mother of two daughters, a dedicated researcher, and a senior lecturer at Leeds Beckett University.
Her passion lies in amplifying the voices of Black women and ensuring that their lived experiences are represented in academic literature. Shirleecia’s groundbreaking research focuses on giving Black mothers the space to share their personal stories about raising children in a racialised society.
In this episode, we’ll explore her work, which delves into the hopes, concerns, and wisdom these mothers have for their children. We’ll also discuss how her research aims to bridge the gap between personal experiences and professional practices by sharing these valuable insights with communities and practitioners who work with children and families.
Get ready for a heartfelt and enlightening conversation with Shirleecia Ward—this is one you won’t want to miss!
NB: This is one of three episodes recorded during the summer 2024.
Weekes, A.P., Ward, S. and Mguni, M. (2024) “Beyond tokenism: activism, resistance and rebellion,” Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-
5a Building on Legacy: Black History Month and the ICU Conference Preview
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Recorded at the end of October 2024, this episode again features some of the core members of A.R.M talking about their individual and collective contributions to social activism over the past months. This years theme for Black History Month is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ and we reflect on the milestones and resilience that has shaped History and our ongoing fight for racial justice. We also look ahead to the upcoming ICU or ‘I See You’ Conference and 2nd Anniversary Celebrations for the Anti-Racist Movement in an attempt in ‘write our own story’. Join us as we discuss how this event aims to challenge us, push the conversations forward, inspire change and build on the legacy of those that have gone before us.
4a C-Our-Rage -“Courageous Voices: Leading the Anti-Racist Movement”
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In this episode – C-our-rage or See Our Rage – we focus on the interplay between courage and anger in light of the “Race Riots” of August 2024. Courage is the 4th of 4 core values of A.R.M and we explore how our collective anger against injustice becomes a source of strength, fueling our courage to confront racism head-on. We’ll examine the balance between rage, resilience and vulnerability, and how these emotions are essential to sustaining the fight for justice. Take a listen and leave a comment.
3a Compassion as the Core: Building Anti-Racist Communities
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Welcome to ARM-OUR, the podcast from the Anti-Racist Movement (ARM). In this episode, we continue to delve into our core values, with today’s focus being ‘Compassion as the Core’. We explore how empathy and understanding are essential in the fight against racism and discuss how compassion shows up across the life span. A key focus is on self-compassion, both inside and outside of social work. Step into our world, and we’ll meet you there and lets embark on this journey of compassion and action together.
2a Rest and Connection: The Heartbeat of Social Work
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In this episode, we delve into the heart of social work, focusing on the vital role of connection. We explore how taking the time to rest and rejuvenate can actually strengthen the bonds we build with those we work for and with. We share practical strategies, powerful stories from the field, and discuss the intersection of rest, connection, and social justice. Join us as we reflect on how rest not only nurtures us as individuals but also empowers us to forge stronger, more meaningful connections in our work. Let’s discover together how embracing rest can be a radical act of resistance and a cornerstone of effective social work.
1 Meet the Team – Courageous Connections: Nurturing Compassion in Our Community
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In this inaugural episode of ARM-OUR, you’ll have the chance to meet the six powerful women who form the nucleus of our community. Each of us bring a unique perspective, passion, and wealth of experience to our collective resistance. Focussing on one of the 4Cs that make up our values (Courage, Compassion, Connection and Community), we discuss our personal and professional journeys, reflecting on the role of self-awareness, intentionality, and supportive individuals in shaping our paths.