Stand out from the crowd

Operation Black Vote have launched a unique Civic Leadership Programme to nurture the next generation of Wolverhampton and Birmingham’s future leaders. The aim of the project is to increase the representation of Black and minority ethnic individuals (BME) in all areas and all levels of civic and public life.  

Currently BME individuals are woefully represented in our public and civic institutions. Not only is this damaging to a healthy democracy, but the impacts of the lack of representation have detrimental consequences to the socioeconomic conditions which BME communities experience.

OBV will select 50 dynamic BME individuals aged 18 years upwards who live or work in Wolverhampton or Birmingham with a keen interest in positively contributing to their community. Through this project we aim to positively change people’s lives, civic institutions and their communities. Individuals will participate in a mixture of observation and training sessions across four broad categories of public life: politics, education, the criminal justice system and the voluntary and community sector.  

Francine Fernandes, Assistant Director of Operation Black Vote said,

“We are delighted to work in Birmingham and Wolverhampton to address the under-representation of BME communities in key areas of civic society. I'm convinced that from this innovative leadership programme a new generation of civic leaders, school governors and community organisers will emerge. There is a wealth of untapped talent amongst BME communities and this programme will provide a platform to nurture this talent for the benefit of all communities.”

The initiative will focus on giving participants firsthand knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of school governors, board members, trustees and other public life roles and an insight into the systems and procedures of public bodies. The aim is that upon completion, this leadership programme will equip and motivate participants to engage in public life.

Councillor John Cotton, Birmingham Council Cabinet Member for Social Cohesion and Equalities said,

“Birmingham is home to a vibrant and diverse array of people and communities. We need to ensure that diversity is reflected at all levels of leadership within our city. We have to ensure that we use all the talents within our city, if we want to meet the tremendous economic, social and political challenges we face in the future.”

Participants will also be encouraged to become community ambassadors, explaining and promoting the benefits of civic engagement and encouraging others to also become involved in community affairs.  


Councillor Roger Lawrence, Leader of Wolverhampton Council said,

“This project is important in Wolverhampton to get wider participation of people from all backgrounds in political & civic life. OBV provides another way to ensure all parts of all communities can have their say.” 


OBV has successfully run shadowing schemes for over 10 years covering a wide range of civic and political roles. Some graduates include political firsts such as Helen Grant MP, first African Caribbean woman to become a Conservative MP and nearly 100 other graduates have become Magistrates, dispensing justice in cities across the country. The success of the programmes has resulted in twelve political accolades which include the Local Government Chronicle Award and the Channel 4 Political Award.   

For your chance to make a difference to your community apply today.

OBV Staff Reporter