S2 Episode Nine: Change gonna come
In this episode we are joined by Hackney Councillor Carole Williams. We discuss the challenges and rewards of working in local government, the importance of getting involved in local politics, why diversity matters, the perils of the “Strong Black Woman” trope and why political representation is so vital.
Carole Williams has been a Hackney Councillor for Hoxton and then Hoxton West Ward since 2002. In 2016 Carole became Hackney’s first ever Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Human Resources. She is also the lead Member for Equalities and in 2019 became the Lead Member for Hackney’s response to the Windrush scandal – and the first lead Member for Windrush across the country.
Carole is at the forefront of efforts to increase diversity across the public sector, and plays a central role in delivering on the Mayor’s priority of tackling inequality in the Borough. Carole also leads on Hackney’s Ways into Work job brokerage service, promoting and securing apprenticeships for young people; maximising job opportunities for residents and working to deliver flexible working to support parents to enter the workforce and progress their own careers.
Email: Carole.williams@hackney.gov.uk
Twitter: @carolewilliams
Resources
Jubilee Debt Campaign: Parliament to Discuss Household Debt (7 July 2021)
Ethnicity Pay Gap: Why mandatory reporting is important (27 July 2021)
Local Government Association – Be a Councillor
Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I A Woman? speech
‘Ain’t I a Woman?’ speech by Sojourner Truth Maya Angelou analysis
