Black History Month

We are well in to Black History Month and whilst we are seeing a lot of corporate initiatives, we do wonder whether they will actually create change. It's so important to understand black history, as the history we were taught at school was so focused on the white perspective. And the ramifications of some key events in black history are still felt in our country and in the workplace.

I asked Derek what he thinks

What do you think of the black history initiatives you have seen this month?

"It's positive to hear from quite a few companies who are doing things for the first time eg. Hearts & Science and it is also positive that many are celebrating the career successes of black people across sectors while sharing the realities.

"I find it interesting that some people struggle to focus on Black history before slavery and colonialism, perhaps there's a knowledge gap?"

What are your top tips for companies wanting to do something to mark Black History Month?

"I would ask Senior leaders, especially non black ones, to not only sign off the budget for Black History Month initiatives but to show up, listen and learn. Don't dictate what it needs to be, think about who it is really for. It's a great chance to start sharing ideas about how it fits in to the wider strategy to move towards equality, more inclusion and better representation at senior levels for black employees.

"Attend my webinar 'Race, Progress & all that gets in the way... it's not Black & White'. It's on Wednesday 23rd October at 1.30pm and you can sign up here."

What would you like us as a team to do?

"Keep on challenging the stereotypes and clichè western narratives about Black History and the British Empire by doing some homework and asking questions. Be prepared to re-learn and be confronted with the facts. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

"Read books like Natives: Race & Class in the Ruins of Empire by Akala, and by historians and archeologists who have spent their academic lifetime studying civilisation, African history and colonialism. Let's then have a conversation about it and share. I'm still unlearning lots of things myself. Please don't just do it for this month either, it needs to be ongoing."

We then made the following commitments as a team -

Rox: "I am reading Purple Hibiscus which is by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi. It is set in post colonial Nigeria during the Civil War in the late 1960s and tells the story of one family's experience. There is a great emphasis on family relationships and cultural / religious ideals which is fascinatingly different, although what sits underneath it are the darkness, dynamics and secrets that haunt families across the globe."

Emma: "I am reading the poetry of Black poets like Audre Lorde, Derek Walcott, Maya Angelou and Elizabeth Alexander. If you read one poem this Black History month, read Coal by Audre Lorde, it is incredible. I’m also listening to ‘People of the Sun’ by Trinidad born, British poet and musician, Anthony Joseph in the background whilst I work."

Tanya: "I am reading Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge. Initially a blog post which was later turned in to a book to continue the conversation on race. The book opens with a chapter on the history of blackness in Britain."