Osborne Clarke's Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage (OC REACH) network hosted an evening at Bristol Old Vic centred around a performance of the play 'The Meaning of Zong' on 4 May 2022.
'The Meaning of Zong', written by Giles Terera, is a story that celebrates the power of the human spirit against adversity and the journey of our past to understand our place in the world. The poignant performance served as inspiration for how individual and collective action can drive unimaginable change.
Set two hundred years ago, the play is based on true historical events. Olaudah Equiano reads the harrowing reports of a massacre aboard the slave ship Zong, where 132 Africans were thrown overboard. Olaudah joins forces with anti-slavery campaigner Granville Sharp to publicly condemn these actions, helping set in motion events which led to the abolition movement in the UK.
The event began with welcome talks from OC Reach and the Bristol Old Vic's outreach programme. Clients, local businesses and community groups invited to the attend and enjoyed drinks and canapes.
Associate Director Robert Adjetey, said: "The Meaning of Zong was an incredibly powerful play. It would be impossible to watch it and not be moved by the story, made all the more poignant given that those tragic events really did take place, and not all that long ago. OC REACH was proud to attend the play with some of our supporters and members of the Stepping Up programme."
OC REACH aims to develop an inclusive and integrated environment for black and ethnic minority people at the firm. The network provides a platform which inspires, supports and encourages all employees, whilst also raising awareness and debating issues facing black and ethnic minority communities with all members of the Osborne Clarke community, whether they are from black or minority ethnic backgrounds or not.
