Black South West Network

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Black South West Network

BSWN is a Black-led racial justice organisation based in the Coach House, St Pauls, Bristol. BSWN supports the development of dynamic, independent, and strong Black and Minoritised communities, businesses, and organisations to flourish whilst challenging systemic barriers.

Since the summer of 2021, BSWN has been based in the Coach House in St Paul’s after signing a lease with Bristol City Council. The Coach House is an asset of much community value, history, and respect. The historic building is in the heart of Bristol’s African Heritage community and is becoming the focal point for BSWN’s work on economic development and cultural inclusion.

The plan for the building has been for it to become an innovation lab, business incubator, and cultural centre, and a space that is alive with the cultural heritage of Bristol’s African and Asian communities. The space will give rise to key projects but more importantly, be a platform for new ways of achieving sustainable community development and wealth creation.

written by Kat Garoës-Hill

BSWN has been embarking on an ambitious strategy to raise £3 million in capital investment to realise this vision.

Since May this year, BSWN have been using their new Black-led social enterprise incubator, the first of its kind in the city funded by the Local Access Partnership Programme. Their Programmes are designed to contribute to their mission of supporting the development of dynamic, independent, and strong Black and Minoritised communities, businesses, and organisations in the South West that navigate daily racial inequalities.