Unlocking Opportunities – A Recap of The Black Society Assembly

Unlocking Opportunities – A Recap of The Black Society Assembly 

The Black Society recently hosted an inspiring and informative Assembly, uniting Black-led organizations and community leaders under one roof to discuss scaling, funding, and collaboration. Here’s an in-depth look at the event, key takeaways, and the powerful discussions that took place. 

Welcome Address and Vision 

The event opened welcoming attendees and setting the tone for the day. The assembly served as a space for learning, collaboration, and inspiration for organizations tackling critical community challenges in areas such as youth development, health, wellbeing, and food poverty. 

Samuel Glean emphasized the importance of representation and collaboration among Black leaders and organizations to scale impact and showcase the power of diverse leadership. He also underscored the value of the event’s format, encouraging networking and shared learning to overcome challenges in scaling and funding. 

Meet the Host and Panelists 

Host: 

Antoine Allen, ITV News presenter, brought his energy and expertise to guide the panel discussions, ensuring each session was engaging and insightful. 

Panelists: 

1. Bayo Adelaja MBE – Founder of Do It Now Now, focusing on training and funding for Black-led charities and enterprises.
   

1. Joevas Asare – Managing Director of Ark Group International, blending grant and private finance to support growing businesses. 
   
   

1. Alice Morrell – Multi-award-winning entrepreneur specializing in private business funding and CICs. 
   
   

1. Sam Bosede – Director of The Wickers Charity, providing holistic support for young people and their families.  
   
   

Key Themes and Discussions 

1. Advice for Fundraising Beginners 

The panel shared actionable advice for those starting their funding journey: 

• Focus on Resources: Bayo emphasized leveraging existing resources before seeking funds. 

• Understand Your Structure: Alice advised choosing the right framework—CIO, CIC, or social enterprise—and building a roadmap with clear goals. 

• Keep the Mission First: Joevas reminded attendees that fundraising is a means to solve a problem, not the ultimate goal. 

2. Barriers to Funding for Black-Led Organizations 

The discussion highlighted systemic barriers, such as shifting funding priorities and implicit bias. 

• Stay Informed: Bayo encouraged attendees to read sector news and connect with grant managers early. 

• Collaborate: Alice stressed the importance of sharing resources and working together as a community. 

• Think Big: Organizations were urged to aim high and stay resilient when faced with challenges. 

3. Understanding and Leveraging Blended Finance 

The panel explained how combining multiple funding sources—grants, loans, and investments—can be a game-changer: 

• What is Blended Finance? Joevas described it as a strategic mix of concessional funding and private finance to de-risk projects. 

• Flexibility is Key: Bayo shared the importance of maintaining diverse funding streams to avoid dependency. 

• Education: Alice emphasized the need for organizations to learn about options like grants, trusts, crowdfunding, and loans. 

4. Scaling for Success 

Scaling was another hot topic, with panelists sharing their insights: 

• Governance Matters: Sam highlighted the importance of governance and team readiness when transitioning from small to medium-scale operations. 

• Data and Vision: Bayo encouraged organizations to strategically increase reported income, which directly correlates to their ability to secure larger funding. 

• Team Building: Alice underscored the need to invest in the right people and branding to ensure sustainable growth. 

5. Collaboration in the Black Community 

The panel concluded by discussing the value of collaboration in strengthening the funding landscape for Black-led organizations: 

• Build Relationships: Sam pointed out that networking and partnerships can help organizations overcome trust barriers with funders. 

• Consistency is Key: Alice emphasized collective and consistent efforts to achieve long-term impact. 

• Share and Learn: Bayo encouraged attendees to adopt a mindset of transparency and humility, as sharing ideas often leads to unexpected opportunities. 

Audience Q&A: Accessing Resources and Knowledge 

Attendees sought advice on staying informed about funding options. Panelists recommended tools like: 

• Third Sector News newsletters for sector updates. 

• Platforms like Charity Excellence for insights into grants and finance. 

• Courses offered by Good Finance for knowledge on social investment. 

Funding

Joevas Asare recommends…..

Blended finance resources

(I cc’d you on an email to Joevas who will be sending the following:

case study on blended finance in practice in Sierra Leone (published by ODI Global)

toolkit about risk allocation (published by Rockefeller Foundation and IGC)

b) ARK’s website – www.arkgroupint.com

c) The Real Payoff of a Grant Book – www.arkgroupint.com/book

d) For office hours at ARK to pick their brains about fundraising, send Joevas Asare a message on LinkedIn and he will point you in the right direction for this.

Mavis Amankwah recommends…..

Unlock Funding Opportunities with Our Free Grant Contact List!

Discover how you can access a share of £16.5 million in grant funding. We’re offering a free list of 10 grant contacts to help you take the first step toward funding success.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with resources that can transform your projects and ideas into reality.

The event wrapped up with an encouragement to connect and collaborate. Sam Ailey urged attendees to think creatively about economies of scale and consider how partnerships could enhance efficiency and impact. 

The Assembly provided an invaluable platform for sharing knowledge, building networks, and empowering Black-led organizations. As collaboration emerged as the cornerstone of growth, attendees left inspired and equipped with practical tools to take their organizations to the next level. 

How to Stay Connected 

• Sign up for The Black Society newsletter via their QR code to stay updated on future events and initiatives. 

• Explore partnerships with panelists: 

• Bayo Adelaja: LinkedIn | Do It Now Now Website 

• Joevas Asare: LinkedIn | Ark Group International 

• Alice Morrell: LinkedIn | Email: alice@marvelbgs.co.uk 

• Sam Bosede: Email: sam@wickers.org.uk 

Final Thoughts 

This Assembly exemplified the power of community and collaboration. By sharing challenges and strategies, Black-led organisations are better positioned to navigate barriers, secure funding, and scale sustainably. With continued effort and unity, the future looks bright for these change-makers.