Reclaiming Narratives – Celebrating Black Voices
Our recent Black History Month event brought together colleagues from all our partner organisations to engage in thoughtful reflection on identity, cultural representation, and resilience. Guided by this year’s theme of “Reclaiming Narratives,” the event featured a series of inspiring sessions led by passionate speakers from our partner organisations, who shared insights and personal experiences that encouraged powerful discussions on inclusivity and the importance of diverse narratives.
The day began with an introduction from Wilson Muleya, Head of the Department of Social Work and Social Care at Kingston University, who welcomed attendees and set the tone for deep reflection and dialogue on the impact of storytelling and representation.
The first session, “Reclaiming Narratives: Your Reputation, Your Legacy – Celebrating Black History with Power and Pride,” was led by Ms. Ngozi Onwuanibe, Workforce Development Consultant at Croydon Children’s. Quoting Warren Buffett: “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it,” she shared how this idea, first encountered in a management training session 15 years ago, marked the beginning of her journey in shaping her personal and professional identity. She invited attendees to consider the significance of their own reputations and legacies.
Following this, Tiffany Green, Practice Development Lead at Merton Children’s, presented “Reclamation,” a series of poems that explored reclamation from both global and personal perspectives—ranging from cultural identity to reclaiming time and parenting styles. Through poetry, Green offered an evocative look at the ways individuals reconnect with and redefine their heritage and personal narratives.
Next, Shungu Chigocha, Associate Director of Quality Assurance and Practice Improvement at AfC, led the session “It Starts with a Single Story – Changing the Narrative.” She emphasised the importance of untold stories and diverse perspectives in challenging historical omissions and broadening our understanding of Black history. Her insights inspired attendees to think about their roles in promoting a more inclusive and multi-dimensional view of history.
The event concluded with a reflective session, where attendees were invited to contribute insights, stories, and reflections that aligned with the ethos of “Reclaiming Narratives.”
This open dialogue fostered rich exchanges, allowing participants to connect and share perspectives that added depth to the day’s discussions. Wilson Muleya brought the event to a close by thanking all speakers and attendees for their meaningful contributions to a truly memorable celebration of Black History Month.
We invite all colleagues to continue these valuable conversations by joining our “Black Voice of Social Work” discussion groups on the following dates:
Thursday, 14th November 2024
Thursday, 16th January 2025
Thursday, 20th March 2025.
After a brief presentation from facilitators, participants will discuss topics in small groups, with an opportunity to share insights and learning that could support organisations in strengthening their anti-racist commitment. Anonymised themes from these discussions will be shared with the Cross TP Equality, Diversity and Inclusion group to promote positive change across our partnership.
More information can be found here.
Recommended Resources:
– “The Danger of a Single Story” – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (TED Talk)
– Notes From My Exorcisms by Tiffany Green
