
You want a more Racially Equitable, Diverse & Inclusive organisation.
We are REDI to join you on your journey.
About us
We are two women of colour working towards anti-racism in the UK International Development sector.
A bit of history
BAME in Development, now REDI Collective, was formed in October 2019, and by ‘formed’ we mean Sanum and Melissa met for dinner in Pho and decided it was time to connect with black, asian and minority colleagues working in the sector. They wondered if sharing experiences and forming a network could go some way towards supporting fellow practitioners, celebrating our lived experiences and encouraging more people from minoritised groups to enter the sector.
The murder of George Flloyd led to a sector-wide reckoning of the systematic racism within the aid and development sector. Sanum and Melissa were ready to take things up a notch, meeting with EDI champions on a monthly basis and with allies- both essential to making our sector a more equitable and honest space. They made REDI a social enterprise and rebranded working towards racial, equity, diversity and inclusion, deepening their conversations with organisations and HR leads across the sector to get into the policies and processes that hinder anti-racism.
And that’s where we are now. Check out the REDI Collective Linkedin network if this sounds like a collective you want to be a part of.
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Events & Discussions
We hold monthly booster calls for D&I champions in international development organisations.
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Supporting Orgs
We work with organisations to design, implement and advance their EDI work within the global development context.
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One to One Mentoring
The best discussions happen in spaces that are safe, so you can then influence in spaces that are brave.
REDI to partner with us
Diverse workplaces are more innovative, happier and profitable. We work with organisations who appreciate that diversity has to go beyond box-ticking to real inclusion. Choosing to create an inclusive culture results in better employee wellbeing and engagement, attracts and retains top talent and gives organisations a competitive edge.
We know that every organisation is different and their EDI needs are too. From the recruitment, selection and interview process through to communications and process review, REDI Collective can support your organisation at any stage, whether it’s designing, advancing or implementing an effective D&I strategy.
Designing: We all have to start from scratch at some point. It can feel overwhelming but we’re here to help outline the best roadmap for you.
Implementing: Even the best laid EDI plans require an external perspective to ensure appropriateness. We can support through 1-2-1 mentoring, independent facilitation and monitoring.
Advancing: You’ve started on your journey through training and commitments. Where do you go from here? That’s where we come in.
We like to keep it practical through our collaborative four stage approach: listen, learn, link, lead. Talk to us to find out more.
Our services
EDI Health Check

Our review and assessment of our EDI KPIs will show you what your organisation is doing well now and where improvements can be made.
Workshops & Seminars

Facilitating safe, but brave conversations with staff across all levels of the organisation.
Mentoring

Whether they are HR directors, junior recruiters or D&I committee members, we coach your staff in their D&I efforts in groups or 1-1.
Strategy & Policy design

Taking big picture thinking and breaking down into achievable commitments that can be communicated effectively.
HR Processes review

Identifying the barriers to entry and progression of people from minority ethnic groups with an action plan to make processes fairer.
Meet the team

Sanum Jain
Co-founder
Sanum is an international development professional with 7 years experience across multiple areas such as start up social enterprise, programme management and global development.
Through REDI Collective, Sanum uplifts the voices of People of Colour within the sector, encouraging them to have brave conversations and lead from the front.

Melissa Nicholson
Co-founder
Melissa is a Risk and Compliance professional with 5 years experience in Global Development and also as a Secondary English teacher.
Through REDI Collective, Melissa supports organisations build strong policies and processes that leads to effective long term culture change.
Kind things our network has to say…
The REDI Collective have created a much needed and welcomed space in the development sector for people of colour and allies to support and engage with each other on work as it pertains to diversity and inclusion and anti-racism. It has been absolutely fundamental in supporting people of colour who are working on these issues over the last year to share lessons, challenges and opportunities. For me personally, the booster calls have helped me to take care of my mental health and well-being. Knowing you have a support system and not alone in the work is really important.
Trisha, Programme Manager in Global Development

About us
We help you achieve your Racial Equity Diversity & Inclusion goals.
News
Contact Us
REDICollective@gmail.com
We’re based between Reading, West Midlands & London