Black History Month
We’re celebrating Black History Month (BHM) and embracing the theme this year of Reclaiming Narratives.
Since 1987 BHM has been celebrated in the United Kingdom each October. BHM provides opportunities for people from all of our diverse communities to promote knowledge of Black history, culture and heritage; share positive Black contributions to British society and heighten Black people’s confidence in and awareness of their own cultural heritage. The term ‘Black’ includes anyone who identifies as part of the African diaspora.
Reclaiming Narratives is more than just a theme it’s an invitation to every member of the Black community to take part in shaping how their stories are told. It’s about ensuring that their voices are heard, their experiences acknowledged, and their contributions celebrated.
As part of this, staff from across the organisation have shared their narratives about what Black History Month means to them. You can read them below. More will be added throughout the month.
Hear from Natasha Bowen, Deputy Freedom to Speak Up Guardian
I’ve worked for the Trust for just over three years and whilst not all my experiences have been great, my early beginnings as a Clinical Admin Support gave me a platform to grow, learn, and develop my career. I’ve used my negative experiences to share awareness and enact changes that will hopefully improve the experiences of other staff members in similar situations that I found myself in.
Joining the EMBRace BME Staff Network and becoming a Freedom to Speak Up Champion enabled me to support others and educate myself in the importance of working together, learning from our mistakes, and driving forward change; we are stronger when we stand together.
Black History Month to me, means understanding Black history and learning about the contributions that many brilliant Black individuals have made to both British and global history, whilst celebrating and supporting Black achievements. My Granny came to the UK from Jamaica as part of the Windrush generation and worked incredibly hard throughout times of overt discrimination and racism. I believe that she would be proud of the woman I’ve become today, championing for inclusivity, openness, and equality for all.
Natasha Bowen
Deputy Freedom to Speak Up Guardian
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