Birmingham is proud of its long history as a city shaped by migration, solidarity and shared endeavour. From Irish labourers who built its canals and factories, to Caribbean and South Asian communities who helped rebuild the city after the war, and more recent arrivals from Africa, Eastern Europe and beyond, generations of people from across the world have made this city their home. Each has contributed to Birmingham’s culture, economy and identity, creating a place defined not by a single heritage but by the diversity, resilience and collective energy of its people.

In recent months, Birmingham has come under attack for the very values that make our city what it is - our diversity, our openness and our shared commitment to fairness and inclusion. We have witnessed a rise in racism and hate, including assaults on women and hate-motivated acts targeting schools. These acts seek to divide our communities and undermine the unity that has long been Birmingham’s strength.

Last year, the Birmingham City Partnership Board agreed a shared vision to make Birmingham one of the best places for young people in Europe and a world-leading anti-racist city by 2035. This vision was shaped through a wide-ranging consultation, Shaping Birmingham’s Future Together, and reflects contributions from partners across every sector of the city.

We believe that realising this vision depends on standing firm by our city’s values and standing up to those who seek to sow division, racism and hate. We call out the rise in racism and the fear it has generated within and between communities. We condemn those seeking to tarnish Birmingham’s reputation and divide us.

As a partnership, our role is to provide leadership and foster cohesive dialogue between communities, both by valuing every community’s voice and by responding meaningfully to the concerns people feel are not being heard.

We recognise that Birmingham’s diversity and its position as a global majority city are its greatest strengths. Our continued growth and success, regionally, nationally, and internationally, will be realised only through inclusive access to opportunity for all.

Building on this foundation, we will work collectively with our communities and partners to address the heightened racial tension and to reaffirm Birmingham’s long-standing commitment to equality, justice and mutual respect. To this end, we will host Forward Together: A City Summit on Race, Cohesion and Belonging, creating space for open dialogue, shared understanding and collective action.

Together, we stand for a Birmingham that is proudly anti-racist, where every community belongs and where our shared future is built on unity, justice and hope.  

Signed by the following:

Councillor John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands

Thomas Joyce, Chief Superintendent for Birmingham, West Midlands Police

The Rt Revd Dr Michael Volland, Bishop of Birmingham

Brian Carr, Birmingham Voluntary Services Council

James Thomas, Birmingham Children's Trust

Jean Templeton, St Basils

Rajdeep Kandola, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Professor David Mba, Birmingham City University

Afzal Hussain, Birmingham Community Action Network

Mike Hopkins, South & City College

Professor Aleks Subic, Aston University

Erica Love, Culture Central

Parveen Chatha, Citizens Advice Birmingham

Conrad Parke, Birmingham Anchor Network

Jagwant Johal, Birmingham Race Impact Group