Jewellers of Colour - A proactive response to racism in the jewellery industry (podcast episode)
This week we’re joined by Banita Mistry the founder of @Jewellers_of_Colour an Instagram community connecting Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority Jewellers to share stories, resources and opportunities. This year there has been a real awakening about what is going on in the world and how we can move towards more positive change. I talk with Banita about the jewellery industry specifically and how we can move toward a better, more integrated future.
008: jewellers of colour - a pro-active response to racism in the jewellery industry
This week we’re joined by Banita Mistry the founder of @Jewellers_of_Colour an Instagram community connecting Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority Jewellers to share stories, resources and opportunities. This year there has been a real awakening about what is going on in the world and how we can move towards positive change. I talk with Banita about the jewellery industry specifically and how we can move toward a better, more integrated future.
EPISODE RECAP
Can you tell us a little about your background and the Jewellers of Colour Instagram account? (2:25)
Can you tell us a little about your experience and what it has been like? (8:47)
What you’re saying makes me think about the importance of role models - we see women in business, moms doing things. But how many ethnic or Indian or black jewellers do we see represented? Do you feel like that had an impact on you? (13:12)
It’s hard enough to do your own thing, start your own business, put yourself out there. It seems like it’s compounded if there are comments or an underlying structure that makes you feel like you can’t do it. Would you agree? (16:13)
That brings us to the idea of a ‘pro-active response’. What can people do that would help to move things forward and make this something that brings about real change? (19:21)
There are things even small businesses can do, and it’s nice to know everyone can contribute (23:04)
What are the goals of the Jewellers Of Color Instagram account? (26:08)
I saw something come up on your account that was a picture of fine jewellery and you asked - if jewellery wasn’t a primary white industry, would this be what jewellery looked like today? (28:37)
For me this has opened my mind to a lot of things and made me think about the industry in a different way. Is there anything else you’d like to cover? (31:30)
ABOUT JEWELLERS OF COLOUR
@Jewellers_of_Colour is an Instagram community connecting Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority Jewellers to share stories, resources and opportunities. Started by Banita Mistry after 8 years in the trade, she felt she had normalised to being the only person of colour in the room more often than not. She realised she could count the number of BAME jewellers she personally knew on one hand. During Covid-19, She saw tonnes of incredible resources from the trade hit her inbox and feeds and wondered whether news of these opportunities and resources were even reaching BAME jewellers as she saw so few at trade related events, classes and meetings.
Jewellers of Colour initially started as a quick, and visual way to bring together BAME jewellers with the aim of building a network to share our work and stories, and to inspire and help other BAME jewellers gain better exposure and representation in the industry. From seeing more hands of colour at the bench, to seeing BAME jewellers winning awards, teaching and learning.
Banita has been in the trade for about 8 years in a variety of roles, from a bench-worker to roles in operations and finance. She is finally putting together her first jewellery collection in about 6 years and it is really nice to be creating and making once again after so long! Following a few isolating experiences in the trade I started @Jewellers_Of_Colour to build a supportive community that can help tackle the lack of BAME representation. Hearing jewellers' stories, motivations, successes and lessons are things that I believe we need to see and hear more of to create a supportive and enriching community. The first step for all of us in helping to correct any system is to listen, read and then act.
Please follow @jewellers_of_colour and sign up to the mailing list for a monthly milk round. I post opportunities and resources in my bio and stories so keep your eyes peeled and please do get in touch if you have anything of interest for the community.
RESOURCES
Jewellers of Colour mailing list >
Instagram: @Jewellers_of_Colour
Goldsmiths Craft and Design Council
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Jess x