Lewisham in south east London is one of the most diverse boroughs in the country. It’s a fact that is reflected in every aspect of daily life. This cultural diversity is part of what, to me, makes Lewisham such a special place.

We have become the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary – a status granted by the charity City of Sanctuary for our pioneering work in welcoming and supporting refugees – and have a proud history of standing against injustice. But the pandemic has shone a light on the inequalities experienced by those from ethnic minorities. You only have to look at the disproportionate number of deaths from COVID-19 experienced by black, Asian and minority ethnic communities to appreciate the wider systemic biases people face across all areas of their lives, from accessing healthcare, to educational outcomes, to running businesses. As a society we cannot ignore that.