The Guardian has announced Chris Osuh as a new community affairs correspondent based in Manchester, covering Greater Manchester’s Black communities, alongside wider reporting on Britain’s Black, Asian and ethnic-minority populations and the issues that affect them. In addition, writer, performance artist and producer Keisha Thompson has been appointed as the Manchester-based programme manager for the Legacies of Enslavement project.
Chris is currently features editor at the Manchester Evening News, spearheading the title's long-form and brand content. An experienced leader writer, his campaigning journalism has seen him execute The Belonging Project to increase reporting of diverse communities and conduct an investigation into the Manchester Arena bomb. He managed the M.E.N's reporting into the death of toddler Awaab Ishak, which resulted in a change in the law, added the Guardian. He was previously the title's life editor and a news editor, after serving as the newspaper's court reporter. His previous experience includes work at the BBC, The Voice newspaper and Manchester Metro News.
Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief, Guardian News & Media says: “I’m delighted to welcome Chris to this important new role reporting on African- and Caribbean-descended communities in the north of England, as well as Britain's other ethnic-minority populations and the issues that affect them. The Guardian puts readers and their communities at the heart of so much of its journalism and was founded in Manchester, so it is particularly fitting we have someone based in the city to cover the urgent stories and issues that affect us today.”
Chris Osuh says: “I have always admired the Guardian’s dedication to covering Manchester and the north. I look forward to reporting on the lived experiences of diverse communities across the region and sharing my passion for storytelling about people and place with Guardian readers.”
Chris Osuh will join the Guardian in October.
The Guardian recently announced new correspondents in the Caribbean, South America, Africa and the UK and new hires to the race and equity team at Guardian US. The roles are part of the Scott Trust Legacies of Enslavement programme and will strengthen its overall aims by reporting on previously underreported regions and communities.
As part of the Scott Trust’s long-term commitment to raising awareness of the UK's role in transatlantic enslavement, the Guardian says Keisha Thompson will lead on community engagement and partnerships in Greater Manchester, helping to advance knowledge and understanding of the city’s connections to transatlantic slavery.
Keisha brings a wide range of experience working on arts-based social justice and anti-racism initiatives. She is co-chair of the Independent Theatre Council, a trustee of Olympias Music Foundation and recipient of the DARE Art Prize 2024. She is also the director of Contact Events Limited and was previously senior learning programme manager for The World Reimagined; a national arts education programme promoting racial justice.
Ebony Riddell Bamber, programme director of the Scott Trust Legacies of Enslavement programme, says: “I am really excited to welcome Keisha Thompson as our new programme manager based in Manchester. She brings a wealth of skills, experience and knowledge of the city, its residents and institutions that will enable us to accelerate our community engagement and partnership-building. The city, where the newspaper was founded in 1821, is an important focus for the project as we aim to highlight the history and continual impact of transatlantic slavery in Manchester, the north west, and the UK as a whole.”
Keisha Thompson says: “I look forward to working closely with the project team and engaging with communities and organisations across Manchester to help progress this important work set out by the Scott Trust.”
Keisha Thompson joins the Guardian this month.
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