International law firm Osborne Clarke hosted two The World Reimagined receptions in its Bristol and London offices as part of its Black History Month celebrations. During the events, clients and colleagues were able to reflect on our shared history and how to make racial justice a reality while hearing from artists and influential speakers.

The firm partnered with the ground-breaking UK-wide art education project, The World Reimagined, sponsoring two Globe sculptures, one in London and the other in Bristol. The project aims to promote a better understanding of the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans and its ongoing impact on society in order to make racial justice a reality.

At the London office, Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP spoke about racial justice and his views on how we can achieve a more equal society with racial equity. Whilst the following week at the Bristol event, social commentator, campaigner and political activist, Patrick Vernon OBE shared his insights on the contributions of Black people to today's British culture, reflected on his successful campaign to recognise Windrush Day and discussed the role the business community must play in shaping a more equal society.

Image: London World Reimagined Reception with key note speaker, David Lammy MP.

The World Reimagined receptions have been both a celebration of Black history, culture and art, and a reflection on the role we all have in tackling racial inequality. 

Lara Burch, Head of Osborne Clarke's Bristol Office said: "The World Reimagined receptions have been both a celebration of Black history, culture and art, and a reflection on the role we all have in tackling racial inequality.  The events provided a really positive opportunity for colleagues and clients to have open conversations around the challenging parts of our shared history and how we can fight discrimination in the workplace and society."

Image: Bristol World Reimagined Reception with Patrick Vernon OBE. Artists Oshii Rowan (left) and Emma Blake Morsi (right) pictured with their Globe artwork.

Artists behind the Globe sculptures spoke about the inspiration behind their artwork at each event, as the offices transformed into art exhibitions to display each of the ten globes on the London and Bristol public trails respectively.

In London, Sara Owusu (Expanding Soul theme), and Kione Grandison (Stolen Legacy theme) spoke about the inspiration behind their globe creations whilst in Bristol, Oshii Rowan (Abolition & Emancipation theme) and Emma Blake Morsi (Mother Africa theme), gave us a fascinating insight to their process of bringing the themes to life.