Black History Month: Celebrating inspirational Black women from The National Lottery Community Fund - Allyiah Walcott, User Research Officer

Black History Month 2023 offers a significant opportunity to celebrate inspirational Black women, their achievements and the contributions they’ve made to communities. Allyiah Walcott, User Research Officer, is just one inspirational Black woman from The National Lottery Community Fund. Allyiah shares her thoughts on Black History Month and the importance of empowering Black women to amplify their voices.

What does Black History Month mean to you? Why is it important to celebrate and commemorate it?

“I love to celebrate Black History Month but it has a bittersweet meaning for me. The fact it needed to be invented and fought to get recognition, and still isn’t observed in some workplaces, institutions and schools within the UK means there’s still a long way to go.

“Black history should be celebrated all the time but having a 'month' still means there is a way to go to ensure Black history is just seen as 'history.'?Without celebrating Black History Month I do fear we would not hear the many stories of Black women and men throughout history.”

This year also marks the 75th anniversary of Windrush – why is it important to celebrate and commemorate the incredible contributions made by Windrush pioneers?

“I am a proud Windrush descendent - both my maternal and paternal grandparents came over from the Caribbean to help rebuild Britain after the war. They left their family and friends, beautiful beaches and wonderful weather, knowing they may never come back. My Grandad has never returned since leaving Barbados despite wanting to return soon after he arrived in London. The Windrush generation were met with abysmal conditions, overt racist behaviour, subject to racist attacks, and their salaries and living conditions were nowhere near what they had back home.?

“It's important to celebrate the contributions made by Windrush pioneers because they withstood everything thrown at them and are still here smiling and enjoying life the best way they can. The NHS, transport services and many other organisations were held up by the thousands who came over from the Caribbean from 1948 - 1971. It's sad to think that many people hadn't heard of the Windrush generation until the scandal, but it's good to see that there is now finally much more of a spotlight on the many contributions they have made.”

What can Black women do to advocate for themselves and each other both in the workplace and in their personal lives??

“I'm proud to work at The National Lottery Community Fund because there are so many hard-working members of staff who truly want to improve the lives of communities.

“Black women have always been advocating for themselves simply by being themselves. Wearing our hair in natural styles despite being told it’s not beautiful or professional, pushing to be represented, making sure our voices are heard… The list goes on. Us being ourselves is enough. However, there is a need for more spaces which make us feel confident and allow us to feel heard and represented.

“I would love for all Black women to be themselves wholeheartedly and unapologetically as much as they can and feel justified in doing so. It is the systems, institutions and people upholding them that need to unlearn all the biases causing harm to Black women and limiting our voices.”

What small action could people take today that would make a big difference in empowering Black women and amplifying their voices?

“Creating spaces which allow Black women to feel celebrated and comfortable to be their authentic selves. All people can expand their knowledge and awareness of the differences between the lives of Black women in the workplace (representation, feeling comfortable to be themselves) this will ensure there is more thought when creating safe spaces.

“Differences should be celebrated because once we understand and can embrace difference we can truly make everyone comfortable. When we pretend differences don’t exist, we deny the experiences of people who are truly feeling outside of the created space and we move further from an equitable inclusive future.”

Learn what Black History Month means to other Black women from across The National Lottery Community Fund and their vital roles in the voluntary and charity sector: https://ow.ly/TvXo50PXEu7