Professor Patrick Vernon OBE Speaks at Black Inclusion Week
Professor Patrick Vernon OBE Speaks at Black Inclusion Week
Professor Patrick Vernon OBE is widely recognised as a principled and committed leader who has spent decades advancing equality and improving health outcomes for ethnic minority communities across the UK. His work spans public health, social care, cultural heritage, and community regeneration, shaped by a long-standing commitment to social justice and systemic change.
Across his career, Patrick has worked to bridge the gap between policy and lived experience. As a skilled communicator and coalition-builder, he has brought together civil servants, local councillors, health professionals, and grassroots organisations to pursue meaningful, long-term change. Central to his approach is collaboration, accountability, and ensuring that marginalised communities are not only consulted, but actively involved in shaping decisions that affect their lives.
Since 2010, Patrick has led the campaign for Windrush Day, advocating for national recognition of the Windrush Generation and their enduring contribution to British society. In 2018, his sustained advocacy played a key role in securing a government amnesty for those impacted by the Windrush Scandal, demonstrating how community-led campaigning can translate into tangible policy outcomes.
In recognition of this work, Patrick was awarded an OBE for his efforts to tackle health inequalities and later received an honorary PhD acknowledging his contribution to migration history and equalities. Alongside national campaigning, he continues to support refugee organisations and mental health charities, reflecting a consistent commitment to community wellbeing at both grassroots and strategic levels.
At Black Inclusion Week, contributions from voices such as Patrick Vernon’s underscore the importance of sustained advocacy, inclusive leadership, and collective action. His work highlights that progress is not achieved through one-off moments, but through long-term commitment, partnership, and the willingness to challenge inequality wherever it exists.
About Black Inclusion week
Black Inclusion Week is a UK-based annual initiative—taking place May 12–18 in 2025—designed to celebrate, support, and advance Black inclusion in workplaces and society. It aims to amplify Black voices, tackle systemic inequalities, and foster action-oriented change through events and conversations.