"How to be a Good Ally" workshop, a Bristol Legacy Foundation panel ft. Michelle Gayle

This session explores the true meaning of allyship through the lens of anti-racism, abolition, and reparatory justice. Participants will examine where allyship begins, who sets the direction, and what meaningful contribution looks like beyond performative gestures. Using real-life examples of individuals who made personal and collective sacrifices in the fight for justice, this workshop invites reflection and challenges you to consider: What are you really standing for, and what are you willing to stand up to? BLF Chair, Asher Craig will share her experiences with allyship and equitable partnerships in the Bristol Legacy Foundation, while Michelle Gayle will share valuable knowledge from The World Reimagined corporate allyship training, offering a framework for building inclusive and equitable workplaces. Finally, Nils Agger will delve into his allyship efforts with Planet Action Repairs Education Revolution (PRALER) and broader international reparatory justice movements, highlighting strategies for impactful activism.Nils Agger is a co-founder of Extinction Rebellion (XR), a member of the XR Internationalist Solidarity Network and is serving as a liaison for the Planet Repairs Action Learning Educational Revolution (PRALER) in Bristol.Michelle co-founded The World Reimagined in 2019; a groundbreaking educational art project to transform our understanding about The Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans in order to create an environment for racial justice and harmony to thrive. The World Reimagined public art trails saw 3.7 million people engage with The World Reimagined globes, across 8 cities. Over 275 schools participated in its learning program and the charity awarded community grants to 80+ grassroots organisations. To date, it is the biggest art-education project in UK historyAsher Craig is a dynamic and highly accomplished political and community leader with a proven track record of motivating organisations to achieve real transformational change.As the former Deputy Mayor of Bristol, she demonstrated exceptional resilience and leadership in addressing some of the most urgent challenges urban cities face today. With her unique blend of political acumen, strategic vision, and grassroots experience, Asher empowers organisations to drive impactful change. Her diverse expertise inspires leaders and delivers lasting results for clients confronting today's pressing issues.