Viana Maya FRSA’s Post

Every October organisations devote significant resources to programming events for Black History Month in order to recognise their black talent and demonstrate their continuing commitment toward race equity. As we enter another BHM we ask: how valuable is it? Earlier in the year we met with representatives from our Signatory organisations to explore the current value of BHM in supporting the experiences of black talent and the business strategy of each organisation. In particular, we wanted to understand what is done well and valued by staff, and what could be considered more thoughtfully. The discussions yielded a number of insights including: 🔸 A struggle to adequately address the complexity of the global black diaspora, spanning any number of complex categorisations.  🔸 A lack of strategic direction from leadership as to what themes would best justify investment that supports the business objectives of the organisation.  🔸 Where there is a ‘bottom up’ approach toward Black History Month, a concern that work is driven by passionate, but often more junior, staff, who may become disillusioned by a perceived lack of support and prioritisation. 🔸 Where organisations are unable to allocate budget to a dedicated programme, it falls to minority staff to drive conversations. Black colleagues may then feel a pressure to become the champion and educator on race.  🔸 White leadership and other colleagues who are not of black heritage can feel that it is not their place to attend events, particularly when there are discussions about the need for safe spaces to discuss sensitive issues 🔸 Events can be a valuable opportunity for the small number of senior black leaders to have visibility with junior staff.  🔸 It is hypocritical to celebrate black colleagues, whilst not establishing corresponding pipelines for their progression within the organisation. 🔸 Black History Month is not the right vehicle through which to drive cultural change.  It places too much strain on a single month and on black colleagues.  Head over to our website to read the full article and our recommendations. https://lnkd.in/e-yZawTr

While this post is meant to be satirical, it reflects a reality many Black employees face in the workplace during Black History Month. For many, the arrival of October brings anxiety about awkward conversations, subtle or even overt microaggressions, and the pressure to relive and amplify past traumas. Let’s be clear: Black History Month is NOT... ❌ A time for Black employees to take on extra work ❌ Diversity and Inclusion Month ❌ An excuse to ask people to work for free ❌ A month to focus on trauma and racism alone Black History Month should be an empowering experience for Black people and an opportunity for everyone to learn, celebrate, and reflect. Too often, the responsibility to carry out the meaning of Black History Month in the workplace falls on the shoulders of Black employees. And all too frequently, there’s a push to generalise the focus from Black issues to “People of Colour” (POC). While there are intersections, the issues Black people face are not always the same as those experienced by other POC. Black History Month should be about centring Black experiences, history, and contributions. Let’s be mindful of what this month is not, and aim to reach a point where such a designated month is no longer necessary because Black lives are valued, respected, and celebrated 52 weeks a year. Credit: @thejcharm

The month of October is Black History Month in the UK. The theme this year is Reclaiming Narratives. To take control of the stories of black history, honour the heroes and shine a light on the diverse and profound impact of Black individuals across various fields. Here are a few things you can do in your business to celebrate Black History Month. Remember to bring this conscious inclusion through to the rest of the year as well. ⭐️ Check up on your suppliers 🕵️♀️ Make sure that you are using consciously inclusive and diverse suppliers throughout your business. 💫 Take your team for lunch in a black-owned restaurant. Spending cash in black-owned businesses is a great way to support the black community. 🌟 Research and discuss ‘unconscious bias’ with your team. Everyone has unconscious bias, and this chat is bound to make people feel uncomfortable. But, it's important for everyone to learn to identify, recognise and avoid this, especially in the workplace. I would love to hear what you are planning to do to celebrate this month 😀🤩

This year’s Black History Month was a great opportunity for us to honour the contributions of Black communities. First celebrated in the UK in 1987, BHM was created to spotlight the achievements of Black Britons and recognise those often left out of mainstream narratives; a chance to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and work towards a more inclusive future.   This year’s theme of ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ focused on empowering Black voices to share their own stories, challenging stereotypes, and ensuring authentic representation of Black experiences. To complement this topic, we invited renowned spoken word artist Jay Chambers to perform several powerful pieces focused on identity, culture, and storytelling. His poetry left us all reflecting on the importance of owning our stories, breaking free from stereotypes, and celebrating the richness of Black culture. As always, we couldn’t celebrate BHM without some delicious food, welcoming Dookies Caribbean Catering back to the La Fosse offices for a fantastic feast including jerk chicken and tasty side dishes…we all went back for a second helping! Sharing his personal journey as a Black professional, La Fosse COO Glyn Blaize discussed leadership, identity, and how ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ resonates in a chat with our Proud2Be network ambassader Eli Dingwall. It was a unique opportunity to gain insight and learn more about navigating the corporate world as a Black leader, with key takeaways such as: “If you’re in the room, it’s because you deserve to be there. It’s good to be grateful when you’re in a leadership position, but don’t minimise the fact that you got yourself there through merit”. Thank you to everyone who helped organise these inspiring and valuable events, and to all the teams across our global offices who approached this year’s BHM celebrations with an open mind and willingness to learn. We’ll continue to talk about these important topics and reflect on our commitment to diversity and inclusion. To find out more about La Fosse’s commitment to DEI, visit https://lnkd.in/eZuFTBPP.

🌟 Celebrating Black Excellence: The Gift of History and the Legacy We Create 🌟 As Black History Month 2024 ends, let's continue to recognize the indelible impact of Black excellence on our world. History isn't just a record of past events; it's a gift that offers us insights, inspiration, and a path forward. The stories of resilience, innovation, and leadership from Black communities serve as a powerful reminder of what we can achieve despite challenges. 🔍 The Gift of History History teaches us about the courage of individuals and communities who fought for justice, equality, and change. It shows us the incredible contributions of Black scientists, artists, educators, and leaders who have shaped our society. This legacy is a gift, enriching our understanding and appreciation of the diverse world we live in. 🌱 Creating Our History Every day, we contribute to the history being written for future generations. As I reflect on some of the activities I have engaged in this month in honor of BHM, I'd like to offer some tips on how we can all contribute to a legacy of excellence, inclusion, and positive change: 1. Be Informed and Share Knowledge: Take the time to learn about the diverse contributions of Black individuals in various fields. Could you share these stories to inspire and educate others? Thank you 🤗 2. Support Black-Owned Businesses: Economic empowerment is crucial to building a strong community. By supporting Black entrepreneurs, we contribute to a more equitable and diverse marketplace. 3. Promote Inclusion: In your professional and personal life, advocate for policies and practices that promote diversity and inclusion. Representation matters in creating a world that values everyone's contributions. 4. Mentor and Elevate Others: If you're in a position to do so, mentor young professionals, especially those from underrepresented groups. Your guidance can make a significant difference in someone's career and life. 5. Celebrate Achievements: Recognize and celebrate the achievements of Black individuals in your workplace, industry, and community. Acknowledgment is a powerful tool for fostering a culture of appreciation and respect. As we reflect on the gift of history this Black History Month, let's commit to being active participants in creating a legacy that future generations will look back on with pride. Let's continue to celebrate and elevate Black excellence, today and every day. #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackExcellence #Legacy #Inclusion

Celebrating Black History Month: Reflect, Empower, and Move Forward As we come to the close of another week on this beautiful Friday, let’s take a moment to reflect on Black History Month. This month is a powerful reminder to honor the rich heritage, achievements, and contributions of the Black community throughout history and into today. It is also a time to remember that the journey towards equality and justice continues. Black History is not just about remembering the past—it's about shaping the future, breaking barriers, and empowering the next generation to dream bigger, stand taller, and reach higher. Let’s continue to elevate Black voices, celebrate diversity, and embrace inclusion not just this month, but every day. Our workplaces, communities, and personal lives are enriched by the stories, talents, and perspectives we share. How can we honour Black History Month today? -Support Black-owned businesses and creators. -Amplify the stories of Black leaders and change-makers. -Reflect on how we can contribute to creating more inclusive spaces. Encourage learning and dialogue about history, culture, and progress. Happy Friday, everyone! Let’s move into the next week with a renewed commitment to making a difference together. 💼✨ #BlackHistoryMonth #InclusionMatters #CelebrateDiversity #Empowerment #FridayMotivation

Woke up this morning, and yep- I’m still Black. Alright, alright, not exactly breaking news, I know. But now that Black History Month is over, it’s worth a reminder: Black voices and experiences don’t end with the calendar. We’re here, all year. In an old “60 Minutes” interview that resurfaces every now and then, Morgan Freeman called Black History Month “ridiculous,” asking, “You’re going to relegate my history to a month?” And he’s not totally wrong. Now, I wouldn’t go as far as to call Black History Month ridiculous, personally, but it is true- Black heritage, culture, and contributions deserve more than a calendar slot. Black History Month is valuable- it’s a time for everyone to celebrate, share, and understand. But it can’t stop there. For Black people everywhere, this isn’t just about being “included” in October. It’s about ensuring Black voices are active, respected parts of progress and decision-making all year long, across different spaces. Yet we also know that the systems and societal structures making it harder to belong- or even get there in the first place- are still in place. And I know I’m not alone in wanting change. We don’t need more statements about how organisations “celebrate Black colleagues all year round”. Let’s see that commitment in action, where Black people aren’t just brought into the room but are truly enabled to have real influence and space to drive change. So, let’s drop the ‘once-a-year’ mindset. Black voices, Black culture, and Black experiences aren’t a ‘limited edition’ feature. They’re essential, all year long. Make space, keep it going, and let’s make this commitment real. #BeyondBlackHistoryMonth #EquityAndInclusion #AmplifyBlackVoices

🌍 Celebrating Black History Month 🌍 As we enter the last week of #BlackHistoryMonth, it's important to reflect on the many contributions of Black individuals throughout history, and how their legacies continue to shape our society today. Here are some facts to inspire deeper reflection this month: 📜 A Rich Legacy: Black History Month was first celebrated in the UK in 1987, led by Akyaaba Addai-Sebo. It was inspired by the efforts of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who initiated it in the U.S. as a way to recognise Black achievement beyond narratives of oppression. 🏛️ Trailblazers in Mental Health: Pioneering figures such as psychiatrist Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller, the first African American psychiatrist, played a crucial role in early research on Alzheimer's disease, making groundbreaking contributions to mental health. 👩⚖️ Championing Justice: Many Black activists, such as Baroness Doreen Lawrence, have transformed the fight for justice and racial equality in the UK. Her work continues to inspire efforts to reform systems and address institutional racism. 📚 Learning from History: Understanding historical struggles and victories helps us shape a future where mental health services are more accessible and culturally sensitive to the needs of Black communities. This month, let’s take time to celebrate the history, resilience and contributions of Black people across all sectors, while reflecting on how we can continue to champion diversity and inclusion in mental health services. 🖤 #BlackHistoryMonth2024 #DiversityAndInclusion #MentalHealthAwareness

Reflecting on Black History Month I've often found Black History Month to be a time of performative actions that can feel disingenuous.   I’ve grown increasingly disillusioned with Black History Month, caught between a desire to disengage from the often superficial celebrations and a sense of outrage when organisations fail to acknowledge its importance. I find myself grappling with this internal conflict. It’s a complex tension, especially when considering the historical significance and the hard-fought battles that led to the recognition of Black History Month in the first place.   While organisations may schedule events and activities over this month, it's important to consider if these activities truly reflect the everyday experiences of Black staff and clients.   While it’s important to recognise and celebrate the contributions of Black people, I believe that true celebration and progress requires more than just a few events on the calendar.   Authenticity is Key Organisations often rely heavily on the efforts of Black employees to organise these activities, while leaders in positions of power have minimal involvement, engagement or participation. This can create a disconnect between the events and the day-to-day experiences of both Black staff and the communities they serve.   True racial equity requires more than just surface-level celebrations. It demands a commitment to creating inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and respected. 24/7.   Let's use this month as an opportunity to genuinely reflect on organisations' progress and take meaningful steps towards a more just and equitable future. #BlackHistoryMonth #RacialEquity #DiversityAndInclusion

If your company's Black Employee Resource Group has low participation it may be due to a narrow view of Blackness and a lack of executive support OR both. Not every melanated person feels safe self identifying as Black. Some are racially ambiguous - they are perceived to be European, Indian, Indigenous or identify as multiracial; others immigrated from societies where Blackness (Afro-descendants) was erased as a way to explain away racism (there's no racism where race does not exist), and similarly others do not see the value in identifying as a racial group (out of fear that the group is exclusive). To address these concerns Black ERGs MUST BE as diverse as the diaspora! We are a multi-lingual, multi-ethnic and multi-generational community. We represent a thousand shades of melanin. And our ancestors have inhabited every livable continent. ZERO FUNDS for diversity initiatives highlights the lack of value placed on employee well being. Where companies choose to invest is equal to where they want to benefit. And your Black employees understand the correlation all too well. Here's how to turn that around in your favour. Spend on training, reward success, invest in supports and allocate resources for engagement events. This is what diverse investing looks like in DEI. With BHM wrapping up, please share how this Black History Month changed your employee experience. And let's build a stronger community together. I hope you enjoyed my contribution, LeRoy Briggs Visible Majority Advocate and Black Talent Recruiter