Anira Khokhar, Director of GREAG has asked us to share the below update with the sector:
“GREAG is being hosted by the Gloucestershire VCS Alliance on a temporary basis whilst the Group builds its infrastructure to operate independently. GREAG will remain autonomous in its decision-making and engagement with the Black and Brown communities of Gloucestershire. This will be achieved through the recruitment of a steering group who will oversee the development of GREAG by ensuring that communities are represented, and their voices are heard. The principal areas of support envisioned by GREAG from the Gloucestershire VCS Alliance are strategy, funding/bids, administrative services, and oversight from an independent and unbiased lens”.
About GREAG
GREAG is currently being developed as an infrastructure organisation for racial minority communities to work with public sector commissioners, institutions, and leaders to bring about change. GREAG's goal is to overcome racial disparity and serve as the advocate for organisations run by black and brown individuals. Their focus is to collaborate with these marginalised communities and provide support, advocacy, and expertise to address racial inequalities.
GREAG identified the need for support from a local organisation who could host and assist the Group as they develop and strengthen their infrastructure. GREAG approached the Gloucestershire VCS Alliance to explore whether we could work together on a temporary basis while they focussed on the following areas:
- Strategy planning
- Exploring terminology
- Recruiting an advisory board for GREAG
- Community conversation consultations
- Community facilitation sessions
- Website and branding (co-produced with communities)
- Collaboration work with partners across Gloucestershire (this work will then be expanded within the region)
- Networking and relationship building
GREAG would like to continue to build their networks across the region. Please get in touch with Anira or Verona Vidal (GREAG’s Community Development Worker) if you would like to:
- actively listen and support Black and Brown communities to identify and address racial disparities and access opportunities
- ascertain and assist stakeholders in implementing system changes to ensure an inclusive and racially just environment
Please contact Anira by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Verona by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Meet the GREAG team
Anira Khokhar (Director) is an accomplished journalist with a wealth of experience working alongside globally renowned media outlets including BBC, Channel 4, Sky and CNN. Through her consultancy she specialises in delivering bespoke solutions to foster equitable and inclusive environments. A career spanning 23+ years, Anira's client base includes working with charities, local governments/authorities, and media institutions, specialising in Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, Business Development, Marketing and Branding, Climate Change, Biodiversity and Community Engagement.
Verona Vidal (Community Development Worker) has been actively working in the voluntary and community sector in various community roles for over 30 years. She has experience of working with communities at a grass-roots level and has always maintained an asset-based community development approach (ABCD). Verona is currently the chair of the All-Nations Community Centre, and co-ordinator of GlosJam which she is also one of the founders of.
Together, we can build a fair and equitable environment to meet the needs of underrepresented racially profiled communities in Gloucestershire.
