BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise sponsored two community gatherings in Leeds last week which brought together more than 130 women to celebrate International Women’s Day through storytelling, culture and shared experience.
Organised by Ebony Milestone founder Beverley Brown and delivered in collaboration with Dr Khadijah Ibrahiim, the events created spaces for grassroots women to connect and reflect on their lived experiences.
The first took place at Unity Media Centre – one of three business centres operated by Unity Enterprise, the not-for-profit subsidiary of Unity Homes and Enterprise – where participants took part in a lunchtime conversation exploring the theme ‘Women Wear Their Stories,’ reflecting on clothing, identity and personal journeys.
The discussion included contributions from Dr Khadijah Ibrahiim, Women’s Whispers CEO Sunjeeda Hanif and Beverley McLaughlan from Petals & Stitches.
Later in the week, more than 90 women gathered at Moortown Social Club for an evening celebration. At the heart of the event was a fireside conversation featuring Gloria Hanley, Tarsem Wyatt, Black Heath Initiative Managing Director Tashi Brown and Rhiannon Oliver, representing Unity Homes and Enterprise, the event’s headline sponsor.
The panellists spoke candidly about identity, leadership and personal journeys, highlighting the importance of creating spaces where community voices can be heard.
This year’s theme, ‘Give to Gain,’ encouraged collective support and community empowerment. The vibrant and welcoming evening featured music, food from local caterers and stalls supporting small businesses, together with a fundraising element supporting women’s causes in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.
Speaking after the events, organiser Beverley Brown said: “’Women Wear Their Stories’ was created to bring women together in a meaningful way — to listen, reflect and celebrate the journeys that shape us.
“Seeing so many women gather across the two events showed just how powerful it is when communities create space for conversation and connection.”
Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “We were proud to work with Beverley as sponsor of both events, reflecting our shared commitment to community cohesion and empowerment in Leeds.”
