"Inspirational" event brings Black History Month to a close | Latest news

"Inspirational" event brings Black History Month to a close

A hundred people came together for an "inspirational" Black History Month celebration at Nottingham City Hospital.

Funded by the REACH staff network - Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage Network - the event featured inspirational speakers, networking, and an African/Caribbean sharing meal.

“It was an absolutely brilliant, thought-provoking, inspirational, celebratory event, and a fitting end to this year’s Black History Month,” said Vignesh Murali, co-chair of REACH and Deputy Divisional General Manager of Clinical Support.

“The event showcased Black history as ‘our History’. We celebrated that history and culture on the day through reclaiming narratives of people that work within NUH and external speakers doing inspirational work in the community.

“The energy in the room was great and it’s up to everyone that attended the event to carry the legacy of the event forward.”

Chief Executive Anthony May delivered the opening address. He said: “It was a privilege to open the Black History Month celebration organised by our REACH network.

"This year’s theme of Reclaiming Narratives provides the opportunity to showcase the untold success stories and complexities of Black heritage. Reclaiming authentic narratives preserves the richness and diversity of cultural identities, and encourages empathy and understanding, leading to a more inclusive and just society.

“I would like to thank colleagues for their efforts in organising the event and other activities throughout October.”

Linda Ebeh is equality diversity and inclusion project support officer for our staff networks, and one of the event organisers.

She said: “It was so inspiring and gave people a lot to take back and reflect upon and, most importantly, achieved the aim of retelling the black history and stories.

“The speakers were amazing and having our Exec Team really sent a positive message on the leadership’s commitment in ensuring NUH is an inclusive workplace.

“Having our white colleagues be part of the event showed a sense of allyship, and of them just wanting to be more informed and educated.”

“The event was an accumulation of a brilliantly engaging Black History Month,” said Andy Callow, Chief Digital and Transformation Officer and Executive Sponsor for REACH. “It successfully balanced recognition and amplification of Black people from history and celebrating their contribution with a challenge against complacency, in that discrimination is a very real experience for colleagues from the global majority.

"There’s still much to do and one thing that we can all do is get involved in our staff networks. I’d encourage all colleagues to get involved, regardless of if you self-identify with the group or not, as allyship is really important in developing the voice of our staff networks.”

Read our colleagues' thoughts on what Reclaiming Narratives means to them:

“Have the fire in your belly to be the best you can be.”

“Big up first gen – love and respect”

My parents are my rock – and my Mama ranks no.1 in my journey of inspiration

“We have the power to shape the narrative”

"I have seized every opportunity to challenge unhealthy behaviours"

“I am proud to be part of the wonderful NHS family”

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