Black History Month Reflections

This post shares the collective thoughts of some of the members of the pro-manchester EDI Committee

As Black History Month draws to a close, I wanted to share with you some insights from a few of the EDI Committee on why Black History Month is important, what it means to them and what businesses could be doing better.

At pro-manchester, our commitment to fostering equity in the workplace remains unwavering. We strive to champion equality, diversity, and inclusion, aiming to cultivate an environment where EDI principles flourish within the broader business community.

I feel very lucky that I get to work with these wonderful individuals who give up their time and energy to join us in our endeavour to reshape perceptions, dismantle barriers, encourage dialogue, and address non-EDI behaviour in a secure, constructive, and respectful manner.

With many thanks,

Rachel Tetlow
Programmes & Events Manager

Michelle Brown – DWF

Black History month remains important because it reminds everyone about what they signed up to do and what they thought was wrong is unfortunately still happening. It reminds our allies to keep being champions to continue to speak out and make a difference. There is more momentum since the Black Lives Matter movement but many companies seem to only remember this in October and then return to business as usual. Black history month should be continuous in a company’s mind set so we can keep evolving. This month of celebrating and acknowledging black people’s achievements and highlighting injustices should remain on the agenda and not just be a tick box exercise. That is the only way this Black History Month stops being tokenistic and becomes an intrinsic part of a company’s values. I think DWF is a law firm that does this well and is successfully making a difference.

Donna Smith – Grant Thornton
For me, black history month provides another platform and opportunity to share stories of black heritage and celebrate achievements and be proud of the many influential black people who have trailblazed change and had a profound impact on the world.  It is more than a month or moment in time though, and highlights the need to recognise and celebrate achievements from a diverse range of backgrounds throughout the year. It is also a chance to pause and learn again from tragic and challenging events in the past that that we must never forget.

I think we are making progress as a business community and yet this is always so much more we can do. For me, it is about constant curiosity, listening and not being afraid to ask questions. At Grant Thornton we have been asking our black colleagues what is working well and what we can do more of, as well as what more needs to change to tackle systemic issues in relation to inclusion that still play out in our workplaces and communities. Sometimes for fear of not positioning something properly, we stay quiet and that is such a missed opportunity. My takeaway from this year is educate yourself, ask the tricky questions, and then learn from what you hear. There is also a lot to celebrate, so we should all look for opportunities to collaborate and share successes.

Obehi Alofoje – Aurora Inc.

Black History Month provides a unique opportunity for introspection and celebration. As a Black woman navigating a business in Manchester, I take this month to reflect on the challenges and blessings that come with the skin I’m in. It’s a time to acknowledge and recognise the incredible strides I’ve made and the barriers I’ve overcome.

This special month offers a glimpse of the achievements of other Black women and men across various industries, instilling hope and renewing my sense of purpose. It reminds me that I don’t need external validation to define my worth.

Furthermore, it’s a chance to connect with allies who’ve supported me on this journey and to encourage organisations to actively seek and nurture diverse talents beyond this designated month. Black History Month enables businesses to develop long-term strategies for equity, mentorship, and sponsorship, allowing them to track progress and report improvements year-round.

In essence, Black History Month is a time for self-discovery, appreciation of others’ achievements, and a call to action for businesses and organisations to foster diversity, equity and the inclusion continuously, rather than as a mere annual obligation.

Jennifer Smith – Forbes Solicitors

Black History Month 2023 – dig deeper, look closer think bigger.

In the UK, Black History Month happens every October, giving people the opportunity to share, celebrate and understand the impact of black heritage and culture. For 2023, people are being encouraged to find out more about the exceptional achievements of black women. Baroness Doreen Lawrence was immediately at the forefront of my mind.

Baroness Lawrence started her campaigning work in 1993, when her son Stephen was killed in a racist attack. Doreen Lawrence fought hard for justice for their son and brought attention to problems of racism in the London police force. Now sitting in the House of Lords (!) she has continued her work for racial equality, working with charities and the government to make change. I always remember the Home Secretary at the time, Jack Straw making a seminal statement at the time. I can’t pretend that I remembered the exact words but I have found them.

“I want this report to serve as a watershed in our attitudes to racism. I want it to act as a catalyst for permanent and irrevocable change, not just across our public services but across the whole of our society. There was only one reason for his murder. Stephen was black. Mr and Mrs Lawrence’s campaign for the truth has been pursued by them with huge dignity, courage and determination.”

I cannot imagine for a second the utter devastation that Baroness Lawrence felt when her son was murdered. When the temptation to hide yourself away and grieve for the rest of your life must be so high, to do what she has done is truly remarkable. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to do the same in the face of such adversity.

 Claire Angliss – Thales

To me Black history month is a way of elevating the discussion and celebrating the diverse world we live in. To celebrate and remember the pioneers and to educate ourselves and others in the part we all play in ensuring our businesses are attracting, supporting, mobilising and developing our diverse talent.

In today’s diverse and interconnected world, fostering inclusive leadership and encouraging leaders to lead as allies is paramount. Leadership development is imperative to all organisations, I truly believe that creating a safe space that colleagues can be their best starts with our Business leaders. Leaders need access to inclusive and innovative leadership development alongside that certain communities may have additional requirements to be considered so that our business can be more representative of our customer base and society.

This picture is of a panel discussion in my business that I recently participated in with our REACH network which supports the voices of our colleagues and their allies.  I am proud to be an ally of the network and am fully committed to ensuring all our talent gets the chance to shine!

Dr. Ope Aiyenitaju – MMU

The victory of Coco Gauff at the 2023 US Open reflected the power of a kindred spirit; knowing fully well that Serena Williams hit the limelight after a similar feat on the tennis court. The victory of Serena served as a springboard for the emergence of Coco.

As we celebrate Black History Month, we must continue to set standards for improved outcomes in our community. We must remember that we have what it takes to surpass our records and spur the community to go beyond her potential.

Kudos to Serena, her victory was the hope for a Coco to emerge. As we salute these sisters, we acknowledge the work of Sisters Kamala Harris and Olukemi Badenoch in government. We are assured that there is more to come from this community if we build on the victories of the past and do not lose sight of the possibilities of the future.