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.