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Ali Abdi BEM

Lead Coordinator for National Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Youth Forum

Ali was appointed the National Lead for the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic National Youth Forum by Race Council Cymru following the 2018  Black History Month Wales celebration of Brilliant, Black and Welsh: A celebration of 100 African Caribbean and African Welsh people following his inclusion and award for outstanding contributions to the development of young people.

Ali leads on the partnership development between Cardiff University’s flagship civic mission programme Community Gateway, individuals and organisations within Grangetown with a focus on breaking down barriers between the University and the local community. He has expertly coordinated the widening access to study and employment at the University, raising awareness of career paths, facilitating co-produced research between academics and local communities, and leading role model and mentoring activities, particularly in terms of opportunities for young adults, girls’, while effectively raising awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion.

With Citizens Cymru Wales Ali Abdi identifies, develops and empowers residents in Butetown and the surrounding area into becoming active citizens and leaders ready to take action for greater equality and inclusion.  Ali has spearheaded and co-developed a Community Jobs Compact with local residents, which builds relationships between local employers and local businesses.  The Community Jobs Compact aims to bring local people and employers together to tackle poverty, unemployment and under-representation in the workforce. The Compact encourages employers in the area to commit to best practice in relation to pay, equal opportunities, job security and development. The first signatories of the compact have included ITV Wales, National Assembly, IKEA and CCHA to name just a few with more and more employers interested to put pen to paper to be leaders in tackling poverty, unemployment and under-representation in the workforce.

Ali has a passion for sport and very often uses the power of sport to engage young people in activities and programmes. He has facilitated and brokered the relationship between many notable Sport National Governing Bodies and Organisations with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities to address Health Inequalities and making sport accessible.

His role with RCC is voluntary and he has already managed to bring together large groups of BAME young people from across the country to engage with Senior Political Leaders and Welsh Government Officials.  The National Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Youth Forum meet quarterly however key leaders of the forum meet more often to discuss the greatest issues facing Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic young people across Wales.

Ali also supports our Welsh Youth Parliament Member Angel Ezeadum as a representative of RCC and Ibby Osman Advisory Member to the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Sally Holland.  Both young people hold important positions representing young people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and championing their concerns at various platforms.

Ali Abdi was recognised for his work with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in Wales and nominated to receive a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours List for 2020.