"Optically the right thing to do"

It seems that the BBC didn't make former head of creative diversity Joanna Abeyie feel 'included'. Indeed, in an article for BFI Sight and Sound Black Film Bulletin, Joanna, who left the BBC in July after 16 months, says it was because she didn't have "a psychologically safe working environment". 

“I loved my role at the BBC. It felt like I could and indeed was making headway. I left with confidence that several key stakeholders and commissioners were committed to making programmes with and for diverse talent and audiences.”

“So why did I leave? Unfortunately loving a role and being committed to its purpose isn’t always enough. A psychologically safe working environment is crucial in any role and especially important when levelling the playing field for underserved talent and audiences, which requires huge amounts of empathy and compassion. It’s not a role for the faint hearted and without that safety it’s incredibly troubling work.”

“These roles can become untenable when autonomy, influence and decision making is minimal to absent. When there is no sign of improvement and the role is created because optically it’s the right thing to do.”

"Essentially, if the role doesn’t provide the EDI [Equality, Diversity and Inclusion] executive with the true ability to change anything, they are alone in their pursuit of making sustainable changes which is almost certainly a shortcut to burn out.”

A matter of days ago, Joanna's former BBC colleague, Chinny Okolidoh, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, left after two years in the role. Apparently the BBC has decided it needs a Chief Talent and Inclusion Officer.