Afrikindness Represents Community Voices at Leeds City Council Scrutiny Board on Digital Inclusion

Inspiring the world around us through acts of kindness.

< Back to News and Press Page

March 18th 2026

Afrikindness, an award-winning community-led charity, was honoured to attend and present at the Leeds City Council Scrutiny Board as part of organisations delivering the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) programme in partnership with 100% Digital Leeds.

The session provided a powerful platform to share frontline insights on digital exclusion, misinformation, and the real-life challenges faced by families within racially minoritised communities. The organisation emphasised that digital exclusion is now closely linked to safeguarding, education, and wellbeing, particularly for children growing up in an increasingly digital world.

Speaking at the board, Afrikindness CEO highlighted how the project empowered parents through five culturally responsive approaches, building their confidence to understand and navigate complex digital risks such as misinformation, phishing, and online scams. She shared how trained parents went on to support others within their communities – demonstrating the power of community-led learning, intergenerational learning and knowledge sharing. She also emphasised that this work will not stop here, as Afrikindness remains committed to continuing and expanding this vital support to reach more families.

The opportunity to contribute at this level marks a significant milestone for Afrikindness, strengthening its role as a trusted voice for communities often described as “hard to reach.” By bringing real stories, challenges, and solutions into decision-making spaces, the organisation continues to advocate for more inclusive, culturally responsive approaches to service delivery. The programme demonstrated that when families are supported with the right tools and understanding, they are better able to protect themselves and thrive.

Bunmi Owolabi, CEO Afrikindness, said:

“Taking our community voice into strategic spaces like the Scrutiny Board is incredibly important. It allows us to highlight the lived experiences behind the data—families who are trying to do their best but lack the tools, confidence, or understanding to fully engage in the digital world. Digital inclusion is no longer optional; it is essential for safeguarding, education, and long-term life outcomes for our children.”

🎥 Watch the full Scrutiny Board recording below:

Afrikindness extends its sincere thanks to:

100% Digital Leeds for their leadership, partnership, and continued commitment to digital inclusion across the city
Leeds City Council Scrutiny Board for providing a platform to amplify community voices at a strategic level
The dedicated volunteers and facilitators who supported the delivery of the digital inclusion programme
And most importantly, the parents and families who continue to engage, learn, and grow in confidence.

What’s Next

Building on this momentum, Afrikindness is pleased to announce that Digital Inclusion Workshop – Cohort 2 will commence in April, with registrations now open.

This next phase will continue to support parents and families with essential digital skills, online safety awareness, and media literacy—ensuring more communities are equipped to navigate the digital world with confidence.