Sir Lenny Henry Calls on Allies to Promote Racial Diversity in Media
Renowned British-Jamaican comedian and actor, Sir Lenny Henry, has urged "allies" to step forward and promote anti-racism and racial equality in their communities and workplaces. Speaking at the inaugural lecture at Birmingham City University’s (BCU) Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, he emphasised that diversity is "under real threat."
The centre, established in 2020, aims to improve representation and employment across contemporary British media. During the lecture, Henry issued a call to action for "brave allies" to challenge the cycle of exclusion, which he believes is leaving talented individuals "locked out, frustrated, isolated and broken."
As reported by The Independent, Henry reflected on watching footage of the VE Day celebrations, which marked the 80th anniversary of the Second World War ending in Europe. He noted that the concept of "allies" kept coming to mind, drawing parallels between the allied nations that helped win World War II and the need for allies to promote diversity and inclusion.
"We didn’t win World War 2 on our own," The Independent quoted Henry as saying. "We were helped by allied nations who joined forces to share their resources, expertise, and their bravery so that we could all be victorious."
He specifically called on straight, white, non-disabled men to use their privilege to promote change, stating: "Allyship is about talking directly to the people who have the power. It’s about challenging them, maybe challenging you to act."
Highlighting the global backlash against diversity programmes, Henry cited US President Donald Trump’s efforts to "attack diversity programmes" and companies in the US scaling back their official diversity and inclusion initiatives due to political pressure from the right.
"The war on diversity is now global, and it sends a terrifying message that at the first sign of political pressure, some companies around the world feel they have permission to roll back their commitments to equality," The Independent reported Henry as saying.
He emphasised that change only occurs when those with power open the door to opportunities, stating: "If you’re white, if you’re male, if you’re non-disabled, you’re already inside the room. You’re sitting at the tables where decisions are made. Budgets are agreed. Shows are commissioned. Careers are launched. You’ve got the keys, and we need you to unlock the doors."
According to The Independent, Henry acknowledged that allyship can be uncomfortable, requiring individuals to give up space, share the microphone, and use their privilege to promote change.
"Equality should never be optional," he said. "Inclusion isn’t some fashionable accessory you put on when it suits and take off when the political weather changes. It’s a duty. It’s a responsibility. So we need our allies, real, brave allies, who will stand firm even when the ground is shaking under their feet."
As a prominent figure in British entertainment, Henry has had a long and distinguished career, getting his break in 1975 on the TV talent show New Faces. He has worked on various TV shows, including Tiswas, OTT, Three of a Kind, and The Lenny Henry Show, as well as starring in the sitcom Chef!
In 2015, he was awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to drama and charity, and became a Doctor of Philosophy in 2018 for his research investigating the role of Black people in the media.
The Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity at BCU aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the media, and Henry’s lecture serves as a call to action for individuals to become allies in this effort. As The Independent reported, his message is clear: that promoting diversity and inclusion is a collective responsibility that requires bravery, commitment, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
