Actions Not Words: Our Conversation with Clean Break

Hi all,

It's been a while since you’ve heard from us! We’ve had a busy year, and have been working hard to address structural and systemic inequalities in all the work we do. Thanks to the support, dedication, and commitment of our collective, we have moved the needle in big and small ways this year.

Our director, Amardeep Kainth, was recently invited to speak on the Clean Break podcast series for Black History Month. darvaja has worked alongside Clean Break over the past two years and we have undertaken a full cycle of work with them. We have seen their growth as an organisation and can truly see the impact of anti-oppression learning on organisations. 

Clean Break are a fascinating organisation, and they use theatre to keep the subject of women in prison on the cultural radar, helping to reveal the damage caused by the criminal justice system. Through their work, they aim to raise difficult questions, inspire debate, and help to effect profound and positive change in the lives of women with experience of the criminal justice system. To read more about Clean Break, click here. 

Amardeep spoke with Jacqueline Stewart, Head of Participation and Deputy CEO of Clean Break, in a special podcast for Black History Month. Their discussion centred on the 2022 theme for Black History Month; Actions not Words. The interview explores how organisations and individuals can move away from empty gestures and commit to action; what the experience of Clean Break and darvaja working together has brought; and the Black women activists from the past and present who inspire their practices. 

A transcript of the conversation can be found here.