FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 22, 2026 – Birmingham

West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative (WMRJI), which is committed to advancing racial justice by transforming church structures and communities across the region, are delighted to announce the appointment its new director.

Jennie Johnson [pictured] will start on February 9, 2026, joining us from the Diocese of Liverpool where she has held the role of Racial Justice Officer for the past three and a half years. In her role, she supported senior leaders to develop a strategy for the delivery of the recommendations in ‘From Lament to Action’ in churches, schools, and Liverpool Cathedral.

As the new director, Jennie will be collaborating with the West Midlands Racial Justice Regional Board to ensure that its strategic intentions are carried out in meeting the ‘From Lament to Action’ report aims and objectives, as well as working with the WMRJI operational team to ensure that day-to-day work delivers systemic change, engagement, and shares the success stories of racial justice work across our dioceses.

Jennie Johnson comments: “I’m excited to be joining a regional team with a passion for racial justice and a desire to support churches, schools and worshipping communities. The West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative presents a unique opportunity to collaborate, share resources, skills and knowledge for the benefit of all. Supported by our Bishops and the Programme Board, I’m looking forward to working with and expanding this dedicated team to create a long-lasting impact and cultural change. 

“I’m passionate about supporting leaders to thrive wherever God has placed them and interested in exploring how we can continue to support our UKME/GMH lay and clergy leaders in all six Dioceses. There are some great examples of racial justice projects across the region and plenty for us to learn from as we work together to dismantle barriers to participation and inclusion and create spaces of equity within our common life of faith.”

Dawn Brathwaite, Chair of the West Midlands Racial Justice Regional Board, says: “I am delighted that Jennie Johnson will be joining us at such a pivotal time in the life of this project.  On behalf of the Board, I extend a warm welcome to her, and we are excited for the next phase. This collaboration across six Dioceses, will benefit from her expertise in delivering initiatives that promote racial justice in the Church of England.

“I also want to thank our outgoing interim directors, Rev’d. Canon Douglas Machiridza and Rev’d. Canon Sarah Hayes, for the sterling way in which they have held this initiative  together and for their deep commitment to this initiative.”

Rev’d. Canon Douglas Machiridza, Interim Co-Director of WMRJI, says: “I am so excited that Jennie is joining us from Liverpool as the new director of the WMRJI – what a time to join the restructured and re-aligned project and programme that ‘ambitiously’ and ‘unashamedly’ hopes to challenge unjust structures, and enable collaboration between dioceses. In its developmental work it aims too, to accentuate the virtues of racial justice and inclusivity.

“Jennie is joining us at a very exciting time, where there is wholesome buy-in from all the six bishops in the West Midlands region representing the six dioceses. We wish her well and welcome her warm heartedly.”

Rev’d. Canon Sarah Hayes, Interim Co-Director of WMRJI, remarks: “I’m thrilled that Jennie comes with such expertise and skill to lead the West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative through the next stage of its growth and development.  I am certain that her experience of leading Racial Justice work within the Diocese of Liverpool will enable her to release and deepen energy and activity in each of the six participating dioceses. I am certain too that she will bring wisdom and insight alongside strong leadership to the WMRJI Team and that the Initiative will flourish under her leadership. Welcome Jennie!”

Together, the team remains dedicated to delivering meaningful impact for the communities it serves.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

Whilst initially qualifying as a Solicitor and working in the legal profession for several years, Jennie has been working in Christian ecumenical charities for the last 10 years of her career, supporting church leaders as they develop and deliver strategies that lead to long term cultural change. Jennie is passionate about encouraging the contributions and participation of marginalised groups into every part of church life so that we might get a small glimpse of heaven where people from every nation, tribe, people and language worship God together.

Based on the Wirral Peninsula, Jennie worships at Centre 4 Renewal – an Elim Pentecostal Church in Ellesmere Port. She loves meeting new people and chatting with friends; putting the world to rights until the sun comes up. If you can’t find her, Jennie is usually at the allotment, enjoying the slower pace of being close to nature.

About WMRJI

The West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative (WMRJI) was established to address and dismantle institutional racism within the Church of England across six dioceses: Birmingham, Coventry, Gloucester, Hereford, Lichfield, and Worcester. The project aims to amplify the voices of UK Minority Ethnic and Global Majority Heritage (UKME/GMH) clergy and laity and seeks to create a Church where racial equity is not an aspiration but a lived reality, embedded structurally and spiritually in diocesan life.

For media enquiries, please contact: hello@wmracialjustice.org.uk

For more information, please visit: www.wmracialjustice.org.uk