Kids of Colour is a project for young people of colour to explore ‘race’, identity and culture, founded in Manchester by Roxy Legane in 2018. Kids of Colour create spaces to challenge the racism that affects young people and their communities; building collective resistance and solidarity.

Our work with young people of colour involves running regular youth spaces where young people meet others, discuss and explore experiences, learn about their own and local histories – and have fun! We elevate young people’s experiences via our online platforms and at our community events and offer opportunities throughout the year for young people to celebrate and learn about their identities, cultures and histories – this happens through our free books scheme ‘The Bookshelf’, our Summer School and ad-hoc local trips/ events.

We work to inform society on the diverse experiences belonging to young people of colour and challenge the racialized, dehumanising narratives that uphold negative stereotypes. In our work we advocate for young people and actively challenge racism experienced by young people and families, mostly focussed on areas of education and policing. We create opportunities for the public to learn from young people, encouraging young and adult allies to reflect on the individual and systemic changes needed in society that they must be a part of implementing. This happens through our Introductory Anti-Racist Practise workshops with youth workers and educators, public community events and lead discussion based workshops with mixed groups of young people across Greater Manchester.

We co-lead a community campaign with the Northern Police Monitoring Project called No Police In Schools. In 2020 we launched our report Decriminalise the Classroom: A Community Response to Police in Greater Manchester’s Schools. The report includes research conducted across Greater Manchester, collating experiences from young people, youth workers, educators, teachers and wider members of the community.