BLACK LIVES MATTER

BXR Owners & Management recognises that following the appalling death of George Floyd, consequentially resulting in many notable events throughout May & June 2020, have been pivotal in highlighting the issue of racial injustice across the world.

We recognise that BXR; A high end boutique private members boxing club in the affluent area of Marylebone, along with many other similar companies in the fitness & wellness industry, may be seen as a predominantly white and privileged business. We believe that we all have a part to play in addressing racism and inequality as individuals, as communities and as organisations. We unequivocally condemn racism in sport and in society.

Whilst growing diversity and inclusion of participation in sport and exercise can only be achieved through the efforts of many organisations in the sport, we recognise that BXR has an important role to play. BXR’s Management and shareholders have therefore been actively and carefully considering how to act with positive, substantive effect.

Since BXR opened back in 2017, we have contributed in a wide range of programmes dedicated to enabling young people from a diversity of backgrounds to take up the sport about which we are so passionate. These programs range from supporting under privilege schools with free boxing classes, providing equipment to London based boxing charities or donating gifts to help support community-based projects. This work creates opportunities for young people to experience the benefits of our sport through a range of coaching, inclusion and health and fitness programmes.

Nonetheless, we recognise that we can do more to address issues of diversity and inclusion. Over the coming months, BXR will work to expand our initiatives in enabling more people to participate in boxing. Specifically, BXR will also seek opportunities to provide its support to initiatives and programmes which actively enable greater access to the sport for people of a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background.

BXR London is committed to creating a responsive environment which is culturally diverse, inclusive and a setting in which everyone is treated equally and with dignity and respect.

BXR is continually developing a community which values diversity and promotes equality and inclusion in all aspects of its facilities, services and members engagement. BXR pledges to carry out the following things:

• We will continue with our diverse recruitment practise – hiring individuals on merit and skill.
• We will continue to provide equal opportunities to all our staff within our BXR community.
• We will continue to run classes for community centres for young people from poor different socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.
• We have carried out a revaluation of our operations with regards to job progression, and social media exposure to eradicate any unconscious bias.
• We will be working alongside Anthony Joshua to support his initiatives in Watford. Assisting with a charity event for him to raise funds which would go directly towards construction of the centre he pledged to build. We will be liaising closely with his internal team on how best to utilise BXR, our platform and our facilities.
• In addition to raising funds from our members and followers, we would like to propose hosting classes for the young adults from minority backgrounds and give them access to training inside BXR – providing coaching and talks on how they can be successful in the wellness industry, if they choose to work within this industry. BXR will work with a selection of charities that aims to help make boxing more accessible to black and minority groups which will ranging from equipment donations, free coaching sessions and pop up classes for communities.
• BXR is also supporting and has signed a petition to; The Wellness Industry Charter for Racial Diversity, Inclusion and Access. www.mailchi.mp/wearewellspoken/diversitycharter
• BXR understands it’s Social Responsibility so we be providing our staff a list of relevant literature to help educate our team towards a better understanding of racism and the issues experiences by many individuals from ethnic minorities. We will also ensure an increase representation of black and minority groups in our marketing campaigns, social content and advertising.

How we support diversity

BXR strives to protect its staff and members against unlawful treatment based on protected characteristics by ensuring that all staff are aware of their responsibilities in relation to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy applies to all aspects of the staff’s journey including recruitment, admissions, academic learning, staff support, learning support, facilities. The Club takes discrimination, harassment and bullying seriously and has a responsibility to ensure that any student’s concerns are resolved as quickly as possible.

The Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 unifies and supersedes all previous legislation affecting equality and discrimination in England, Scotland and Wales, and establishes a focused approach to equality law. It includes regulations affecting employment, the provision of services, education and accessibility of buildings, websites and transport. Fundamentally, it defines several ‘protected characteristics’, and broadly extends the same rights and protections to members of all the protected groups.

Protected Characteristics

The Act defines the following protected characteristics. The discrimination, harassment and victimisation of a person, or group of people, who identify with any of these protected characteristics is unlawful, including institutional discrimination and failure to provide fair access through negligence:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender
• Gender reassignment (transgender/transexual)
• Marriage and Civil Partnership
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Race
• Religion and Belief (including no belief)
• Sexual Orientation

Religion and Belief

As a multicultural community, there are many religions, faiths and beliefs represented at the club, which contribute to the rich environment that we enjoy. People are supported and encouraged to express their beliefs openly and with understanding of others, who may have complimentary or contrasting beliefs.

Black Lives Matter

As part of BXRs new pledges on education to anti-racism we have listed a source of material which can help educate us in our endeavour.

Non-Fiction Books:

• Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge
• Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor - Layla F Saad
• Natives Race and Class in The Ruins of Empire - Akala
• The Good Immigrant - Nikesh Shukla
• White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism – Robin Diangelo
• Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging - Afua Hirsch
• Black and British: A Forgotten History - David Olusoga
• Slay In Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible - Elizabeth Uviebinené and Yomi Adegoke

Fiction Books

• Half a yellow sun - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Small island - Andrea Levy
• Queenie – Candice Carty-Williams

Articles

Films & TV

• 13th (Netflix)
• NYPD: Biggest Gang in New York? (BBC iPlayer)
• The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution

Series

• When They See Us (Netflix)
• Black Son (Netflix)

Films

• Selma
• If Beale Street Could Talk
• Queen & Slim
• Fruitvale Station
• Get Out
• Moonlight
• Mudbound
• Malcom X
• Fences
• WE ARE GEORGE FLOYD - A film by Julian Marshal

Podcasts & Talks

• New York Times: 1619
• NPR: Code Switch - RACE. IN YOUR FACE
• Women’s Hour: How to talk about white supremacy – Layla F. Saad
• TED TALK: An interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter - Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi
• Good Ancestor Podcast – Layla F. Saad
• Hoodrat to Headwrap: A Decolonized Podcast – iHartEricka
• About Race Podcast with Reni Eddo-Lodge
• Akala on Police x Protests
• Black Girls Livin’ Podcast