Roger Griffith MBE is a writer, social entrepreneur, and lecturer known for his contributions to cultural storytelling and community engagement. He is founder and CEO of Creative Connex CIC, social good organisation which specialises in amplifying cultural community stories of grassroots organisations.
He has been a diversity trainer and champion of race equality issues for over 30 years. An associate lecturer in Creative Writing at UWE Bristol, Roger has been instrumental in diversifying the university’s curriculum across various faculties and leading numerous community engagement projects.
His poetry and writing, including his book My American Odyssey: From the Windrush to the White House explores his family’s history within the Black diaspora and compares racial dynamics in the UK and the US. He is an award-winning essayist, respected pundit on racial issues, and a contributor to Bristol 24/7, Bristol Post. Roger is involved in many creative community projects, has sat on the Arts Council England South-West board and curates films with the Come the Revolution collective at Bristol Watershed.
Roger’s journey began in North London before moving to Lawrence Weston, Bristol, with his mother. Leaving school without qualifications, he championed lifelong learning, a principle that fueled his rise from unemployment to significant roles in local government and community organisations. In the 1980s, a period marked by high unemployment and racial tensions, Roger worked on building sites before taking English ‘O’ Levels at night school. His determination led him to CEED in St Pauls, where he began his career as a positive-action trainee housing officer at Bristol City Council.
Roger’s career flourished as he obtained management, counselling, and coaching qualifications, eventually becoming a Senior Housing Manager. He served as a race and equalities advisor on the Stephen Lawrence inquiry and various staff development schemes. In 2007, he joined Ujima Radio as a volunteer broadcaster and later became its Executive Chair for a ten-year period. Under his leadership, Ujima won several national awards and became a National Diversity Champion.
Roger co-founded the Black and Green Programme, connecting community members to environmental issues, and initiated the Windrush Generations Project, celebrating Caribbean elders’ contributions to British society. His efforts have earned him the Lord Mayor’s Medal in 2018 and an MBE in 2019 for his work in diversity and culture. Roger’s success is rooted in the support of his family, friends, and partner, Stacie, who have been vital in his journey.