Black History Month is a time for us all to learn more about Black history, cultures and identities. It also provides us with an opportunity to reflect on current inequalities and consider the contributions we can make to solving them.
Throughout October, DWF's Race & Ethnicity Network curated content designed to increase understanding and inspire.
Our key event was a virtual webinar entitled 'How to talk about race'.
The event was inspired by work undertaken by three members of our Race & Ethnicity Network in London. Amanda Amorigoye, Verirty Wilson and Rebecca Watts have been regularly undertaking conversations about race with a particular focus on race in the workplace.
For Black History Month they wanted to share this with a wider audience.
Regarding their aims of the session, they said, "We would like to encourage and evoke meaningful conversations around: ally-ship, anti-racism, representation and awareness. We welcome productive and respectful conversations on how D&I can help spotlight, raise consciousness and contribute to a truly diverse and inclusive workplace that listens, acts and learns."
This powerful event was received extremely well with many attendees advising that the session had helped build their confidence in discussing race. Race & Ethnicity Network sponsor Daniel Pollick said "It was a privilege to chair this event and to learn from Amanda, Verity and Rebecca. We had fantastic attendance and lots of engagement after the event from those who attended - that's what it's all about isn't it - talking!"
Other activities conducted during UK Black History Month 2022 included the following:
- Black Women in Law – A look at the intersectionality of gender and race in the legal industry, profiling 14 Black women in law such as Baroness Scotland, Sandie Okoro and Abimbola Johnson, to raise awareness and inspire.
- Microaggressions Towards the Black Community - In the first of a series of planned articles, Race & Ethnicity Network members in Manchester created an overview on microaggression toward the Black community to raise awareness for what they are and the impact they can have.
- Poetry Showcase – DWF colleague Marcia Andrews shared examples of her poetry that have been inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.
- DWF Allies Overview on Race & Ethnicity – This 20-minute video was designed to build understanding of the terminology, challenges, and myths related to race & ethnicity as well as providing tips on how to be an active ally.
- 5* Futures Online & Speakers for Schools - In collaboration with the DWF CSR team, volunteers from across DWF and from our clients took part in two session focused on the importance diversity and inclusions, how & why we mark dates such as Black History Month, and how the next generation of talent can continue to create an inclusive working environment.
Find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at DWF including our Race representations targets and on-going initiatives such as our reverse mentoring programmes.