Saluting our sisters

To be honest I struggle with October and packing the contributions of black people into a single month.

However, any occasion that recognises and celebrates the invaluable contributions of Black people to British society

Especially, black women is an opportunity to salute my sisters and empower future generations.?

Black women have always been at the forefront of social justice movements, fighting against oppression and paving the way for change.

We have played a central role in British history for centuries even though we are often overlooked or forgotten.

And, we continue to shape society in fundamental ways, despite all the achievements which have gone unrecognised.

Perform or transform?

If you are doing EDI work in your organisation and want to make the biggest impact, celebrating black history month as a stand-alone event is barely even performative.

Any initiatives addressing race equity or justice must be anti-racist, which btw is impossible to transform teams or company culture for just one month of the year.

Black History is every month and Kinship meets every month to explore some of the challenges in career progression through the lens of race and gender.

Kinship is a place to share vulnerabilities, celebrate contributions and be in community. Over 1100 women have been through these safe spaces, 80% of whom are black women.

It is a space centred on us where our stories are not forgotten and contributions are counted! No shrinking back, code-switching or fitting in!

I recognise the struggles, race and gender bias are very real. But, this year I have tried to navigate away from trauma narratives, with a focus on personal development.

I think there is so much more we can celebrate and the media love to use trauma to spread hate and fear, as well as distract us from our valuable contributions

7? Remarkable Black Women to salute for their invaluable contributions

1. Baroness Doreen Lawrence : Known for her tireless fight for justice following the murder of her son Stephen , Baroness Lawrence has been a powerful advocate for racial equality in the UK
2. Mary Seacole : This Jamaican-British nurse played a pivotal role during the Crimean War, providing care for wounded soldiers. Despite facing racial prejudice, she persisted in her efforts, making significant contributions to medical care.
3. Claudia Jones : The founder of Notting Hill Carnival, Jones was a prominent figure in creating a sense of community and cultural pride among the Caribbean diaspora in the UK. Her efforts have left a lasting impact on British culture.
4. Diane Abbott : As the first black woman to be elected to the House of Commons, Abbott has been a trailblazer in British politics, advocating for social justice and equality.
5. Naomi Campbell : A globally recognised supermodel, Campbell has not only contributed to the fashion industry but has also used her platform to advocate for diversity and representation, breaking barriers for black models in the fashion world.
6. Lydia Amoh, The Black Pound Report, is the highly anticipated deep dive on the UK’s Black, Asian and Multi-Ethnic consumer spending power, untapped potential and profitability.
7. Reni Eddo- Lodge , Reni’s book Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race topped the British Book Charts – becoming the first Black woman to do so. Along with Malorie Blackman and Bernardine Evaristo, Reni has formed The Black Writers Guild to try and change the racial inequalities in the publishing industry.?

Our community is growing come and join us the First Friday of every month allies are welcome! We want to amplify your voices.

PS Carpet bombing of cities, towns, villages, or other areas containing a concentration of civilians is considered a war crime.

As of Article 51 of the 1977 Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions.

Genocide is NEVER OK!

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PS If you want to hang out.?Kinship is a Safe Space for Diverse Women. The First Friday of every month. Allies are welcome! Register here