About Kinfolk Network CIC
What is Kinfolk Network CIC?
Kinfolk Network (KIN) is a London-based Community Interest Company that brings Black activists, organisers, and campaigners together from across the UK to collaborate, strategise, and support each other. Per the homepage: "Over the last seven years KIN has created a hub of solidarity, thought and restoration for Black activists and organisers... A flourishing, nourishing and sustainable movement for Black liberation in the UK with healing, joy and solidarity at its heart."
KIN was co-founded in 2017 by Ayeisha Thomas-Smith (also co-Executive Director of NEON — the New Economy Organisers Network — and presenter of the Weekly Economics Podcast, Economics with Subtitles for BBC R4, and The Why Factor for BBC World Service), Zahra Dalilah (queer Black feminist from Lewisham, South East London, with a background in climate justice and land-based activism), and Kennedy Walker (founding member of Resourcing Racial Justice and Covid Mutual Aid UK).
KIN's programmes include an annual multi-day convening, workshops, social spaces, reflection spaces, internationalist digital spaces, and the seasonal online Town Hall for Black activists and organisers. The organisation also collaborates with partner organisations on research, reports, training, and co-facilitation.
KIN is funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmee Fairburn Foundation, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, Tudor Trust, Disrupt Foundation, the Civic Power Fund (in partnership with Oxfam), and Friends Provident Foundation.
Where will I work?
KIN is London-based with flexible remote-friendly working. The team operates a hybrid model supporting work from anywhere.
What is the KIN team like?
KIN's core team of six is led by Gillian (Gee) as Executive Director ("organiser, strategist, builder, and multi-disciplinary artist... My work is grounded in love and Black Feminist praxis"), Dee as Programme & Kinship Director (also founder of the Black Feminist Bookshop), Natasha as Communications Lead and Events Producer ("I am practicing leisure and slowness"), Gin as Executive Assistant (with a specialist focus on Neurodivergence), Katherine as Operations Manager ("operations is not just logistics — it's political, relational, and transformative"), and Hannah as Operations Support.
KIN's Circle of Support includes Nikita and Sarah (MoneyPad — finance), Vanessa (A Little Bit of HR — HR Director), Multitudes Co-operative (branding, design, tech infrastructure), Camille Sapara Barton (consultant), Rivers Coaching, and Briana Pegado (governance). The KIN Board includes the three co-founders plus Samie (social/climate justice facilitator), Liz Chege (curator/critic in Glasgow + Nairobi; Salzburg Global Seminar Fellow, Acumen Fellow, BAFTA Scotland member, James McCune Smith scholar at University of Glasgow), and Laura Barker (facilitator, youth worker, writer, carer, community orchardist; Obsidian Foundation poet alumni).
Work-Life Balance
KIN's ethos centres interdependence, joy, healing, slowness, and Black Feminist praxis. The team approach (verbatim from Katherine): "build and sustain systems that centre Black organisers' dignity, enable staff to work with ease and trust, and ensure operations align with our core principles of interdependence, joy, and accountability." Natasha: "I create nourishing spaces for people to gather, dream and rest. This work is rooted in love, knowledge-building and care." Holiday allowance is in line with UK employment practices (28 days plus UK public holidays per DB).
Perks and Benefits
- Flexible and remote-friendly working aligned with KIN's "ease and trust" operational principles
- 28 days holiday plus UK public holidays
- Mentoring + collaborative learning + Black Feminist praxis development
- Operations explicitly designed for staff dignity, ease, and trust (per Operations Manager Katherine)
- Mission-driven work supporting Black liberation, healing, and joy across the UK
- Funded by major foundations (Paul Hamlyn, Esmee Fairburn, Joseph Rowntree, Tudor Trust, Disrupt, Civic Power + Oxfam, Friends Provident) — stable funding model