Black History Month: “Big up first gen – love and respect”
In the second in our Black History Month pieces, Director of Inclusion Clive Clarke pays tribute to his parents – and others in the Windrush generation – who helped create today’s NHS and laid the foundations for future generations.
“I am so excited by this year’s Black History Month and its theme, Reclaiming Narratives,” said Clive.
“As a Black man I have ‘stood on the shoulders of giants’; like others my age, my parents were invited to this country in the 1950s and 1960s to help rebuild the 'motherland' – my mum working in the NHS and my dad in the steel industry – but their welcome was anything but welcoming.
“My mum worked at the Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust as a nursing auxiliary, where I had the privilege of being the Acting Chief Executive Officer, working in social care and health for more than 40 years. I will always see her as my idol, always be grateful to her for what she did, and the sacrifices she and thousands of others made out of love.
“Reclaiming Narratives allows me to celebrate what the first generation did to allow us to work in this great organisation called the NHS, because without them, there may not be an NHS as we know it.
“Big-up first gen – love and respect.”
Director of Governance Gilbert George: Black History Month: “Have the fire in your belly to be the best you can be.” | Latest news | NUH