Stories of Black Irish Women in Ireland

To amplify the voices of Black Irish women, Equity in the Workplace: Stories of Black Irish Women in Ireland examines their experiences within the Irish labour market. It aims to uncover the challenges they face and their perceptions of achieving equity in the workplace. Despite progress in gender parity, disparities still exist, with women being underrepresented in leadership roles and facing lower pay, poor working conditions, and instances of bullying and harassment. Black women often face more obstacles in achieving equity. In response to the “Embracing Equity” theme of International Women's Day in March 2023, the Institute of Anti-racism and Black Studies partnered with the Unforgettable Women's Network and 10 Black Irish women professionals to explore gender equity for Black women in the workforce. Join Dr. Ebun Joseph, Special Rapporteur for the National Plan Against Racism, and four of the book’s contributors for what promises to be a lively discussion. 

Dr Ebun Joseph is Special Rapporteur for racial equality and racism Ireland, CEO & founder, of the Institute of Anti-racism and Black Studies (IABS), and coordinator and lecturer of the Black Studies module at University College Dublin (UCD). She is also the founder & chairperson of the African Scholars Association Ireland, AFSAI (2018-2022). Dr Joseph held the position of Career Development Consultant at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (2017-2021), and was a Teaching Fellow at Trinity College Dublin, Training and Employment Officer EPIC (2007-2017). Ebun is an author, TV panellist, columnist and an equality activist. With a research focus on labour markets and race relations, she has presented at many business and NGO conferences. Ebun is a published author and contributes regular responses on contemporary issues of race and racism in Ireland. Her 2021 book is titled Racial Stratification in Ireland: A Critical Race Theory of Labour Market Inequality. She edited Equity in the workplace - stories of Black Irish women in Ireland (2024) and co-authored the book, Challenging Perceptions of Africa in Schools: Critical Approaches to Global Justice Education. Dr Joseph’s 2020 article won the IRJ Prize awarded to the paper adjudicated to represent the best original contribution to the journal in a given year. ‘Composite counter storytelling as a technique for challenging ambivalence about race and racism in the labour market in Ireland.’

Carline Thompson is a nurse, researcher, entrepreneur, author, and activist. She hails from a small island in the Caribbean Sea called Jamaica. She is a three-time alumni member of Trinity College Dublin (TCD). She graduated with both first and second-class honours. Her academic achievement includes a BSc in intellectual disability nursing, an MSc in disability studies, and an MSc in healthcare management. Her research interests incorporate racial discrimination, ethnic minorities studies, racial trauma, intellectual disabilities, dementia, social justice, and health and well-being. She is the owner of Jam-Ire, a home baking and pastry business that introduces a taste of Jamaica with an Irish twist. She has recently co-authored a book Building our Network. She is also an active member of several committees and community organisations here in Ireland.

Melissa Bosch is Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) at EY Ireland. She is an accomplished diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist with a proven track record in driving innovative and strategic interventions for various organisations. She is known for her behavioural change and social justice interventions, which focus on unlocking individual, societal, and organisational potential. She was brought up in South Africa and her ethos is seeded in the African philosophy of ‘Ubuntu’ and the belief that incredible things happen when people are seen, valued, empowered, and involved. With this deep-rooted passion for fostering inclusive cultures, her approach to DE&I has consistently triggered meaningful change. Melissa’s commitment and ingenuity in the field of DE&I have won her numerous accolades. These awards reaffirm her understanding of the unique interplay between individuality, organisational culture, and societal pressures. Beyond her professional achievements, Melissa is a fervent advocate for social justice through her charity and volunteer work. She holds a master’s of business degree in equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Eya Lawani is a Special Needs Assistant and is interested in researches that look at the impact of charity fundraisers on the lived experiences of Black Irish children. Passionate about counter storytelling and the power of framing reality through narrative, the challenge of negative mainstream framing of Africa and Africans is one of the passions that under-grids her work. Eya’s first degree in Political Science from her home country of Nigeria, served as a basis for post graduate studies in Conflict and Dispute Resolution at the Trinity College Dublin in 2009, as well as a Masters degree in 2022 in Equality Studies from the University College Dublin. She has lived in Ireland for over 24 years and is interested in Critical Race studies as a tool for challenging racial inequality. The hope of building an inclusive Ireland for her Black Irish Children motivates her advocacy daily.