The Importance of Black History Month.

I am currently co-Chair to the REACH (Race,Equality and Celebrating Heritage) Committee at British Land.

October was Black History Month. Black History Month has always been very close to my heart. It is something that I always have been very passionate about. Throughout my school and college years, I took part in a wide variety of events, such as dances and poetry performances.

When I wasn’t taking part, I was in the background helping to facilitate these events.

Black History Month is both a celebration and commemoration of history, looking back at the achievements of black people.

Black History Month promotes togetherness and pride. The abundance of cultural heritage amongst black people has contributed throughout the years, to the society we live in now.

From the hard work of the Windrush generation, to Europe’s biggest street party Notting Hill Carnival. It's in the spices, it's in the music, the traditional attire is colourful, intricate, and pristine.

Black History Month is a joyous time for black people to be unapologetically proud of their roots, their culture, and their blackness.

Paving the way for the future generations to embark in more positive and meaningful change.

Black History Month allows black people to learn more about their culture and be proud of where they came from.

Black History Month also creates an environment for black people to be unified and look at the strengths within all their differences. All the different shades of melanin coming together as one. We all have different experiences and come from different backgrounds, but it is vital to know the history and be given the opportunity to openly celebrate it. Black History Month highlights the journey black people have experienced throughout the years, there have been battles, there has been pain. However there has also been love and happiness. 

This year has been a roller coaster ride, with a lot more downs than ups. There was a new normal, mass celebrations in person seemed a thing of the past. How would we celebrate Black History Month in a meaningful way? It all came down to the theme. This year was focused on uplifting, personal journeys, and activism.

I believe that is vital for companies to celebrate the richness of diversity that makes up their workforce.

It helps to highlight the wide variety of traditions and gives people the opportunity to learn more about other cultures.

The REACH Committee decided to host a series of webinars with both influential and inspiration speakers. Our launch event took people on a journey through the history of black activism with Yvette Williams MBE, who is the co-founder of the Justice 4 Grenfell Campaign and a founding member of Operation Black Vote - a national campaign focused on getting BAME communities more involved in the democratic process. This event was hosted by Octavia Findlay who is the founder of Ashley Azella ltd which specialises in advising on diverse ways to lead inclusive change. This webinar was positively received with an overwhelming high turnout and amazing feedback. The support continued through to our second event with Gamal Tawara who took us on his life journey as the first black man to come out as openly gay in London's Metropolitan Police Force.

Music is one of things that you find a lot of people have in common. They may not have the same taste but music helps to express feelings, it uplifts and for some, it is a way of communication. A Black History Month playlist was created to bring people together and take people on a journey on how black artists expressed themselves.

Hearing different perspectives is very important, it allows us to be more understanding and look at things from a different angle. A Black History Month podcast was the best fit for this. A few of the REACH Committee members came together, to discuss their experiences with Black History Month throughout their years and spoke deeply about why representation is important.

The close out event for The REACH Committee was the need for better mental health for black woman, with Rameri Moukam who chaired the first black mental health organisation and is currently a specialist Race Trainer for NHS. This event was also hosted by Octavia Findlay.

Mental health within the black community is something that is rarely ever spoken about, and some may even say it is taboo. Black women have carried the burden of the 'strong black women' stereotype for hundreds of years. In most cases they are silently suffering to avoid being treated as a pariah and having a stigma attached to them.

This webinar was received extremely well, with people requesting to have Rameri back as a speaker. She took us on her own journey and struggles with mental health. I think it is vital to raise awareness about mental health within the black community, and ultimately open the eyes to those who do not see it as a problem.This webinar was the perfect mixture of uncomfortable yet sensitive. It was thought provoking and it opened the floor up to further conversations around the topic of black mental health and wellbeing.

Black History Month is only a month. One of out of twelve in the year. It initially started to commemorate events and celebrate people. To me, it is much more than that. It is a period where I feel represented, supported and encouraged to truly be myself. It is much bigger than a month, it is not something with a deadline. It is something that is deeply embedded in the hearts of all black people. It does not stop on October 31st. The spirit continues throughout the year.

Be courageous, be triumphant and most importantly be yourself!

The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent the position, strategy or opinions of British Land.