The Black Community Forum was dissolved in July following financial difficulties. Black Community Forum (BCF) was an affiliate body set up to be a voice for black voluntary sector groups in Sheffield. The aim was to put pressure on the Council to improve services to the black community, if necessary allowing the black voluntary sector to deliver these services.
The Messenger understands that BCF was in debt, in part due to the complexities of the European funding it was receiving which has to be spent upfront and claimed back. The loss of Forum House earlier this year tarnished BCF’s reputation significantly, as they were managing the refurbishment project, which was in debt to builders who were taking legal action. Money from the sale of Forum House to Burngreave New Deal for Communities went to pay off debtors.
Former member of the Black Community Forum, Abdul Shaif, who resigned over a year ago, told the Messenger:
"BCF did initially play a critical role in community development, but lost its way and direction in recent years. It could no longer function as a viable community organisation. BCF was dissolved because it hasn’t got any money and as an organisation it had lost its direction and lost contact with its affiliates and those it represents.”
A new start
I went along and attended the second meeting of the newly founded Sheffield Black Community Alliance (SBCA). The aim of the meeting was to discuss the way forward for the new organisation. The Black Community Forum was being moved into the history books with lessons to be learnt by the fifteen or so local black and ethnic minority volunteers and professionals present.
Ahmed Gurnah, Dr Abdul Shaif and the Chair of the Pakistani Muslim Centre chaired the meeting, all representing the organisation now calling itself SBCA. Darnall Councillor Mazher Iqbal and African-Caribbean City Councillor for Richmond, John Campbell also joined the discussion prompted by Aisha Special K, relating to the dissolving of BCF and wanting to be sure that lessons had been learnt and that mistakes weren’t repeated.
Aisha mentioned that she had heard about the meeting by chance and called to slow things down. “We must not allow ourselves to become misrepresented because we’ve moved too quickly. We must consult and allow all black people to become properly involved in SBCA, so this new organisation is inclusive from the start,” added Aisha and all present agreed.
Ahmed Gurnah presented a draft working constitution that had been tabled at the previous meeting. It was agreed to review the working constitution and to move towards forming a proper accountable, fully representative and fairly elected body that will reflect Sheffield’s black and ethnic minority communities.
"We want people to not just get involved, but to take a leadership role in the new SBCA. This new organisation will only succeed if it can truly reflect the nature of the community and create a new voice for the black communities. Fresh blood is required to give it energy and a fresh start, with clear direction,” said Abdul Shaif.
by Rob Smith
