A GROUNDBREAKING Summit due to be held next week is a near sell-out, after a surge in ticket bookings from members of the business community.

Up to 250 people will gather for the Anti Racist Cumbria event, which will examine a host of issues linked to inequality, inequity and anti-racism in the county.

A line-up of top speakers will cover a range of issues, with author, activist, political commentator and lawyer Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu delivering the day’s keynote speech.

Janett Walker, co-founder and CEO of Anti Racist Cumbria, said: “This is the beginning of such an important journey and as a team at Anti Racist Cumbria, we are so happy with the way in which businesses have stepped up to play their part on the road to making our county an actively anti-racist one, by either sending senior delegates as attendees so they can learn more on how to do better and sponsoring the event so we can reach as many in our county as possible.

“Individuals are also throwing the weight of their support behind the event, making it clear they want to live and work in a county where everyone is treated equitably."

The Summit, to be held at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, from 9am until 6pm on Tuesday, November 2, will bring together a series of practical workshops, inspirational speakers, local topics and panel discussions.

Dr Mos-Shogbamimu will be joined on the roster of speakers by Lady Phyll, founder of UK Black Pride; Sonny Peart founder of Black Trial Runners; Billy Welch the Gypsy Leader (Shera Rom); Aneela McKenna founder of Mor Diversity, Fitzroy Andrew Senior Institutional Equity Officer at the University East London, along with a number of Cumbrian and national leaders.

Joining the speakers, panellists and the county’s business leaders will be members of the wider community along with students and young people from Cumbria University, Kendal College and two of our county’s schools sixth form year groups.

After the main summit ends, the focus turns to the after-party where the supremely talented K.O.G and the Zongo Brigade will perform a set.

Tickets to the after-party are available to all, including people unable to attend the Summit during the day.

Fewer than 20 Summit tickets (which include the after-party) are still available and can be booked at https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing?eid=21743&.