In light of recent events, in which a campaign around disability and chronically ill health featured no people of colour and in response to existing in a majority-led space, Cysters has decided to create and publish a Power List Of Chronically Ill Advocates. The group, founded by Neelam Heera, plans to showcase all people of colour within this space who have done remarkable work in their communities highlighting chronic illness and disability.
In a press statement, Cysters said, “People from BAME backgrounds are rarely given the same levels of representation, inclusion or care as their white counterparts when it comes to chronic illness and Cysters want to change this.
“The organisation is actively trying to dispel the myth around communities being ‘hard to reach’ or ‘unresponsive’ when it comes to recruitment for campaigns and opportunities for visibility. Cysters hopes that future organisations will refer to this list when it comes to including people of colour within campaigns, and they urge that, where possible, people of colour are paid for their contributions to this space. Lived experience is a tool that majority-led organisations don’t have and should be paying to access.
“Cysters decided to shine a light on the amazing work that is done within BAME communities, as they are tired of seeing them being and are representations of our community that deserve space. With this list, they hope excluded. That’s why this year, Cysters will be highlighting their first Chronic Illness Power List, consisting of people who have raised their voice, spread awareness despite their challenges that more campaigns will be able to spotlight people of colour within their campaigns. Cysters want to actively dispel the myth that communities of colour are “hard to reach” – this list is proof that with some research, you can find and be inclusive of all communities of colour.
They’ve appealed to everyone to share this with the relevant people so we can access people that Cysters wouldn’t usually see. The deadline for applications is 20th August 2021. After the deadline, there will be a selection process. For more information and nomination details please go to - http://cysters.org/thepowerlist/
