Christine Wint, Lead Associate, BALI, The Staff College

Leadership, Legacy, and Lifting Others:  Reflections on Leading the Black and Asian Leadership Initiative 

Over the past two years, I’ve had the immense privilege of serving as the Lead Associate for the Black and Asian Leadership Initiative (BALI). It has certainly been an experience that has been both professionally transformative and personally rewarding. 

When I first stepped into this role, I didn’t fully appreciate the depth of opportunity it would offer to grow, to collaborate, and to help shape an initiative that seeks not just representation, but meaningful inclusion and leadership for Black and Asian professionals. I have had the chance to work closely with senior leaders and stakeholders, ensuring that our work is not just performative but positioned to create lasting impact.

Over the past 2 years we have delivered 7 national BALI programmes and 6 bespoke programmes. BALI is needed now more than ever given the societal changes we are currently seeing, where racism is sadly increasingly. The need to provide a safe environment to consider how personal and professional experiences of covert, overt and institutional racism have and do impact our global majority workforce has never been so important.

Creating Space for Others

One of the most rewarding aspects of BALI is the creation of a safe space and a platform for participants to shine. I have seen firsthand the power of visibility and connection with likeminded professionals. We championed conversations that mattered particularly around identity, bias, cultural leadership models, and career progression and turned those conversations into action through the development of personal commitments and development plans.

The feedback has been extremely positive with many participants stating the programme had a profound impact on them. Here are some of the comments made by participants

• “The course has empowered me, and I will go back with a different mindset”
• “It was liberating and comforting”
• “I thoroughly enjoyed this development opportunity and have never experienced this level of oneness, whilst being challenged and self-accountable”
• “I would highly recommend this to others and will be promoting it when I get back to the office”
• “I would do it all over again!!”

Many participants stated the programme was:

• Informative, Thought-provoking, Energising
• Insightful, Powerful, Encouraging
• Inspirational, Motivational, Boosting
• Motivating, Inspirational, Respectful
• Proud, Needed, Safe

Maintaining Connections

We now have over 850 BALI alumni, many of whom engage with our monthly BALI Network. The network provides an opportunity for alumni to connect and discuss important topics. This year’s network tackled topics such as racialised Trauma, Crafting Personal Journeys, empowerment & legacy for Global Majority professionals and Authenticity and Leadership, to mention a few. We were delighted to have Theresa Peltier, the county’s first black High Sheriff, as a guest speaker.  Allies are welcome to the network to create a shared space for learning and collective action. So do join us on the last Wednesday of the month. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Associates who delivered the BALI Network sessions this year.

Standing on Legacy

A quote that has stayed with me throughout this journey comes from the poet and activist Maya Angelou:

“I come as one, but I stand as ten thousand.”  This quote powerfully reflects what it means to lead within an initiative such as BALI. It reminds us that leadership is never a solo act. Every step forward carries the weight of those who came before us and creates space for those still to come.

Our wider inclusive offer has included supporting senior leaders to enhance their EDIE knowledge and inclusive leadership practice. We delivered a successful programme of work on anti-racist practice for The Association of Directors of Public Health, which has led to further requests for bespoke anti racism and inclusive leadership workshops across a number of public health teams across London.

We hope to expand our offer into other sectors and sincerely hope that the current political climate does not prevent organisations from commissioning this much needed programme.

Leadership isn’t always about being in the spotlight. Sometimes, it’s about holding the door open for others and realising that in doing so, you grow, too.