West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative appoints new Co-Directors

The West Midlands Regional Racial Justice Board has announced the appointment of the Revd Canon Douglas Machiridza and the Revd Dr Sarah Hayes as the new interim Co-Directors of the West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative. They officially assumed their roles on 10 February 2025.

Following the departure of the Revd Dr Evie Vernon at the end of last year, the appointment of Sarah and Douglas marks a significant step forward in the continued efforts to promote racial justice and equity across the region.

Canon Douglas Machiridza, a passionate advocate for social justice and reconciliation, expressed his enthusiasm for the work ahead. He said: “Embracing this role, I look forward to collaborating with our communities to address racial disparities and create meaningful, lasting change.”

The Revd Sarah Hayes brings a wealth of experience in community engagement and advocacy, with a deep commitment to dismantling systemic injustices. On her new role, she said: “I’m excited to be part of a collaboration between six dioceses in the West Midlands as they work together to tackle the shared challenge of racial justice in such different contexts.”

The West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative is committed to challenging racism in the Church of England and advocating for systemic transformation. Under the leadership of Sarah and Douglas, the initiative will continue its vital work in ensuring racial justice remains at the forefront of public discourse and policy action.