Black International Construction Organisation
In the mid-1990s, Grant and others set up the Black International Construction Organisation (BICO), to bring together Black professionals active in building and construction, to unite and create agendas for projects for communities both in the UK and internationally. BICO had a crossover with the demise of the Apartheid system in South Africa, and was involved with Grant in fact finding visits to South Africa, to propose building projects for the welfare and development of the country’s Black populations. As well as community support in the UK and abroad, BICO was also invested in promoting the professional development of Black individuals in the built environment sector. However, alike to many other projects that Grant spearheaded, BICO was a voluntary endeavour, and battled against limited resources during its relatively short lifespan.
BICO pamphlet [BG_BICO_1_4] (1)
This BICO pamphlet outlines the mission and activities of the Black International Construction Organisation, a UK-based voluntary group formed by Black professionals to support sustainable development in the built environment, especially in African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries. It is useful for understanding Bernie Grant’s campaign as it highlights a commitment to social development, cultural diversity, and capacity building, reflecting themes of empowerment and global equity central to his work.
