A statement of intent from Stormzy

11 June 2020 - Press release

At #Merky we have always used our brand to elevate, support and amplify the issues and the voices of the black community.
 
To continue and expand upon our activism and philanthropic work, today, we announce that Stormzy pledges 10 million pounds, over 10 years, to organisations, charities and movements that are committed to fighting racial inequality, justice reform and black empowerment within the UK.
 
Stormzy and #Merky will forever remain devoted to improving and safeguarding the lives of those within the black community and this is just the beginning of our lifetime commitment to financially and wholeheartedly back these causes.
 
Stormzy’s states: “The uncomfortable truth that our country continuously fails to recognise and admit, is that black people in the UK have been at a constant disadvantage in every aspect of life - simply due to the colour of our skin. I’m lucky enough to be in the position I’m in and I’ve heard people often dismiss the idea of racism existing in Britain by saying “if the country’s so racist how have you become a success?!” and I reject that with this: I am not the UK’s shining example of what supposedly happens when a black person works hard. There are millions of us. We are not far and few. We have to fight against the odds of a racist system stacked against us and designed for us to fail from before we are even born. Black people have been playing on an uneven field for far too long and this pledge is a continuation in the fight to finally try and even it.”
 
Stormzy and #Merky will be releasing additional information on the pledge in due course and we urge others to join us in pledging.