Alan Rudge Cllr
Councillor

The Equality & Diversity Division on behalf of Birmingham City Council is proud of its association with the National Black Womens Network.

The City Council is working tirelessly to promote community cohesion and equality of opportunity for all and has found a good ally in the National Black Womens Network. The Equality & Diversity Division, along with its strategic partners and stakeholders, are continuing to develop policies and practices that lead to successful outcomes for Birminghams diverse communities.

We welcome the opportunity to work with the National Black Womens Network and be part of the journey.

Simon Hughes MP
President, Liberal Democrats

Its great to find the energy of the National Black Womens Network and its busy agenda for reaching the wide spectrum of women across all communities and at all levels and which other initiatives are not reaching.

There is huge potential in the black community, particularly amongst black women in business. Many of them just need a little more help or a little more encouragement and practical advice and support to develop ideas and really take off to start and grow a business.

Liberal Democrats need to work on joint programmes to engage all party activities with the network, not just in London but throughout Britain. The more black women who become involved in taking on business opportunities, the more successful black people will be in the Britain of tomorrow.

Theresa May MP
Shadow Leader of the House and Shadow Minister for Women

It has been a pleasure to work with Sonia Brown and the NBWN which is a really exciting and effective network.

Over 300 NBWN members participated in the regional Lets Talk Business Roadshow and shared their views with the Shadow Cabinet, senior Conservative MPs, Councillors and Assembly members.

We are now moving forward on a project to encourage NBWN members to consider standing for election and to join us at the Conservative Party Conference in the Autumn. I wish NBWN every success.

Harriet Harman
Minister for Woman and Equality

We congratulate the National Black Womens Network for the unique and important contribution it makes to the business community and to public life.

Sonia Brown and the Network do a tremendous job of supporting women to run their own businesses and take on decision making roles, as well as making sure that the concerns and needs of entrepreneurial women particularly black and Asian are heard by Government.

The Network has many highly successful and inspirational women among its members. These women, many of whom have set up their own business, recognise that being their own boss gives them control and allows them to balance their work and family life. But men are almost twice as likely as women to start a new business. We are determined to close this gap not least because the UK needs the huge economic benefits that more women entrepreneurs would bring - which is why the Government recently announced a range of measures, including a £12.5 million Womens Investment Fund, to support and encourage more women to take the plunge