Black History Month: Time to Ditch Tokenism and Get Serious About Change - A Grenfell Lesson

With Black History Month approaching, we need to have a real conversation. The lesson of Grenfell, laid bare in Lord MacDonald’s latest report, shows us that token gestures don’t just fail, they’re fatal. It’s not enough to pay lip service to diversity, inclusion, and equality, especially when people die because those with power refuse to listen to marginalised communities. The stakes are far higher than many want to admit.

Audacious leadership isn’t about waiting until October to churn out platitudes. It’s about dismantling the structures that allowed Grenfell to happen, the institutionalised neglect, the devaluing of Black and brown lives??????, the cozying up to a status quo that kills. If we aren’t confronting this during Black History Month, we’re not just failing Black communities, we’re complicit in their suffering.

What Are You Prepared to Do This October????

Black History Month isn’t a time for easy wins or half-hearted gestures. It’s time to get uncomfortable. The Grenfell inquiry has shown us the cost of systemic failures, of ignoring marginalised voices until it’s too late. The same power dynamics that led to that tragedy persist in our workplaces, communities, and government. So, ask yourself: what are you really going to do this October? Is it just another PR opportunity, or are you ready to confront the uncomfortable truths that power your privilege?

The Real Question: Who Gets Left Behind???

It’s time to face it, who are you leaving out? Who, in your organisation or team, has been trying to tell you something but has been silenced by bureaucracy, by the very systems designed to uphold white supremacy? Grenfell was a direct result of this silencing. Lord MacDonald’s report calls it “an atrocity borne of indifference.” What will you do to ensure that indifference doesn’t thrive under your leadership?

This isn’t just about Black history. It’s about justice??. It’s about reckoning with the uncomfortable fact that if Grenfell’s residents had been white and wealthy; they would still be alive. Are you ready to confront the real reasons these things keep happening?

Ditch the Performative Gestures - It's Time for Radical Actions??

Don’t kid yourself into thinking a few guest speakers or a diversity panel is going to cut it. The time for performative actions is over. If we’re not fundamentally rethinking our policies, practices, and the spaces we occupy, then we’re perpetuating the problem. Grenfell didn’t happen in a vacuum, it’s the product of a society that cares more about profits and property than people.

So, what can you actually do????

???? Learn the Hard Truths: Dive deep into the realities of race, class, and power in your sector. Grenfell happened because those with power refused to understand or care about the people their decisions impacted. Don’t make the same mistake.??

???? Support Black-Led Organisations: Not as a tick-box exercise, but as a long-term commitment. Integrate this into your everyday work. The people at the forefront of change need more than symbolic support—they need tangible resources and sustained investment.??

???? Audit Your Own Practices: It’s time to get real. How inclusive is your organisation, really? What barriers are you maintaining, consciously or unconsciously, that prevent Black people from thriving? Don’t wait until the next tragedy to start making changes. ??

Beyond Tokenism - Real Change Starts with You????

Grenfell is a stark reminder of what happens when we ignore the voices of marginalised people. If we continue to treat Black History Month as a PR exercise, we’re complicit in the same systems that allowed that tragedy to happen. Leadership—real, radical leadership—means more than just showing up when it’s convenient. It’s about breaking down the systems of power that harm Black and brown communities, every single day.

So, what’s your move? Will you lead with purpose, or will you hide behind tokenism??? Because if Grenfell teaches us anything, it’s that there are no more excuses. Black History Month is an opportunity to start something bigger, but only if you’re willing to do the work.

The time to act is now. Not when it’s fashionable, but when it’s necessary. ??

Ready to Create Real Change? Let’s Work Together! ????

Looking to make a meaningful difference this Black History Month? At Rockstone, we’re here to support your journey towards real change. Whether it’s addressing systemic inequalities or creating impactful initiatives, we’re ready to help.

Let’s have a conversation. Book a free consultation to explore how we can collaborate: www.rockstoneconsultancy.com/free-consultancy .

For more information, visit www.rockstoneconsultancy.com . ??