International law firm Osborne Clarke is partnering with one of the UK’s largest art education projects for racial justice by sponsoring one of its 10 large globe sculptures in Bristol.
The World Reimagined, which launches tomorrow, aims to inspire pride in what it means to be Black and British, with the globes playing an integral role in helping people travel through a journey of discovery. 
It is also promoting a better understanding of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and its ongoing impact on society in order to make racial justice a reality.
Osborne Clarke, which was founded in Bristol in 1748 and today employs more than 700 people in the city, is sponsoring the fourth globe of Bristol’s trail, created by Bristol-based visual artist Oshii Rowan and located in Castle Park.
The artwork, pictured, shares the story of the Campaign for Abolition, its key events, heroes and allies.
Bristol, a city with much of its wealth linked to its role in the slave trade, is one of seven hosting a trail.
The 10 globe installations will present an opportunity to bring to life the reality and impact of the trade in enslaved Africans and explore the ways in which the cities’ past, present and future can be reimagined through a journey of discovery.
The nine themes of this journey are represented by the designs on the globes while a 10th in each city has been designed by an artist in collaboration with local community groups.
The trail, which runs until 31 October, includes themes ranging from ‘Mother Africa’ and ‘The Reality of Being Enslaved’ to ‘Still We Rise’ and ‘Expanding Soul’
It invites people across the UK to come together and engage in complex conversations around who we are as a society, stimulate dialogue, raise consciousness and create social change.
As well as Bristol, Osborne Clarke is sponsoring a globe in the trail in London, where it also has an office.
Designed by Sarah Owusu and installed in Fenchurch Street Station, the globe celebrates the spirit and culture that has endured in the face of incredible suffering and found expression across the world in music art, food and more.
Head of Osborne Clarke’s Bristol office, Lara Burch, pictured right, said: “The World Reimagined is a trailblazing project that encourages us to confront some challenging parts of our shared history.
“The art trails will provide a platform to open conversations, with our colleagues, our clients and our communities, around racial injustice and the role we all have in fighting discrimination.”
The firm’s head of inclusion and corporate responsibility, Bola Gibson, pictured below, added: “There is so much history wrapped up in the struggle for racial justice – there is no quick fix. 
“We’re on a journey and supporting The World Reimagined is another small step we’ve taken towards educating and challenging ourselves to tackle racial inequality.”
Osborne Clarke, which is shortly to relocate its Bristol office from Temple Quay to the new Halo showpiece building at Finzels Reach, is investing in programmes that support the progression of racial and ethnic minorities.
It was an early supporter of the Stepping Up programme and is working with the 10,000 Black Interns initiative.
Its race and ethnicity employee network (OC REACH) provides challenge and support to the firm, giving actionable insight and encouraging education and understanding around the challenges affecting minority communities.
The firm became a signatory of both the Race Fairness Commitment and the Race at Work Charter and has also published anti-racism and racial equality resources for its employees, launched a reverse mentoring programme and conducted an independent review of its recruitment practices.
It plans to publish a full race action plan for the firm in the autumn.
For more information on The World Reimagined, visit www.theworldreimagined.org
