Domestic abuse charity Sistah Space has temporarily closed due to safety concerns for its service users and staff, according to a statement on its Instagram page.
Ngozi Fulani, the charity’s founder, has reported receiving “horrific” online abuse after sharing on social media that she was repeatedly asked where she was “really” from at a royal reception two weeks ago.
Fulani, a Black British charity leader, said she felt “interrogated” by Lady Susan Hussey at the Buckingham Palace event.
Mixed feelings about yesterday's visit to Buckingham Palace. 10 mins after arriving, a member of staff, Lady SH, approached me, moved my hair to see my name badge. The conversation below took place. The rest of the event is a blur.
— Sistah Space (@Sistah_Space) November 30, 2022
Thanks @ManduReid & @SuzanneEJacob for support🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/OUbQKlabyq
A spokesperson for Prince William said “racism has no place in our society” and called the comments “unacceptable”.
Hussey, 83, resigned from her position as one of the ladies of the royal household and offered her “profound apologies” for any hurt caused.
Sistah Space advocates for women and girls of African and Caribbean heritage affected by abuse, and according to Charity Commission data for the financial year ending 31 March 2021, its total income was £363,506 and expenditure £163,298.
In a statement on its Instagram page on Friday night, Sistah Space said: “Thank you for the continued support and messages.
“Unfortunately recent events meant that we were forced to temporarily cease many of our operations to ensure the safety of our service users and our team.
“We are overwhelmed by the amount of support and encouragement and look forward to fully reinstating our services as soon as safely possible.”
Recent Articles
Edel Harris: ‘Certain assumptions are made about charity CEOs and their backgrounds’
Mencap’s chief executive discusses growing up on a prison officers’ estate, leading a social care organisation through a pandemic, and shifting the charity’s focus after 76 years.
What does the private school debate mean for charities?
Labour leader, Keir Starmer, has said that his party would look to remove tax concessions for independent schools, prompting debate across the charity sector.
