The Racial Equity Unit (REU), began as a sub-committee of DFEMA (Diocesan Forum for Ethnic Minority Anglicans), which was a committee of Bishop’s Council dedicated to gather, encourage and support Anglicans from the global diaspora. DFEMA officially closed in 2024 to focus on REU which now reports directly to the Bishop’s Advisory Forum.
The Racial Equity Unit is made up of volunteers who are passionate about improving racial equity in the diocese’s mission and ministry. It works to explore historic and contemporary, systemic and interpersonal racial discrimination, inequity and oppression that UKME/GMH Anglicans face within the life and structures of the Diocese of Leicester and beyond.
As an ‘action’ group, they are currently working on implementing the Diocesan Racial Equity Strategy which was formally adopted by Bishop’s Council in 2021.
In January 2024, Bishop's Council approved the Diocese's Racial Equity Policy which was developed by the REU.
REU Members:
Canon Chrispal Anand (Chair)
Chrispal is of South Indian heritage, and is committed to integrating people of Global Majority Heritage into the Church of England through his work as Chair of the Racial Equity Unit. Chrispal said: “I am delighted that the Diocese of Leicester is taking steps to embed cultural change and the work of Racial Equity Unit will play a pivotal role to introduce policies and set up processes to enable eliminating the racial injustice within its structures.”
Vanessa Li
Vanessa Li was born and brought up in Hong Kong and moved to Leicester in 2021. She is passionate about connecting cultures and bridging communities. She has a background in law and governance and is enjoying her newly embarked “slash life” as a community engagement worker, event organiser and translator.
Cecilia Adjadje
Cecilia is a curate at the benefice of Knighton. A Nigerian born who is passionate about intentional and continuous inclusion of people irrespective of their racial backgrounds, bearing in mind that when equity is upheld people flourish.
Jessie Tang
Jessie Tang as the diocesan Intercultural Ministry Director. Jessie is an Ethnomusicologist who has an interest in second-generation immigrants, intercultural worship and mission. She was born and brought up in the UK and loves to speak about how important diversity is in loving others and knowing God more.
Nathan Obokoh
Professor Ivan Browne - External Evaluator
Prof. Browne is the Director of Public Health for the City of Leicester. Born in Leicester, he is the son of two proud ‘Windrush generation’ West Indian parents and is closely linked to this local community as well as many others. Ivan has been in public service for over 30 years having worked within both local authority and NHS settings. Ivan is passionate about finding ways to tackle the significant levels of health and social inequality that are often prevalent within multicultural urban environments like Leicester.
Bishop Saju is also involved with the REU, and both he and Bishop Martyn are dedicated to improving racial equity across the diocese.