Black History Month at Progress Housing Group
A round-up of our Black History Month campaign at the Group this year
They say all good things must come to an end, and sadly we must say goodbye to our celebration of Black History at the Group for another year.
The theme for Black History Month this year was Time for Change: Action, not Words, and with our Roots Network launching Black History Month at the Group with a fantastic in-person 'launch and lunch' event featuring guest speakers, a performance poet and Caribbean food, we really did embrace the theme.
Throughout the month, there were plenty of opportunities to get involved in different activities, ask questions, learn more, and take action to make a difference.
Black History Month launch
Our launch and lunch event hosted at Leyland House by our Roots Network on 5 October was introduced by our Chief Executive Jacqui De-Rose, followed by our Executive Director Tammy Bradley (SLT sponsor of the Roots Network).
We were delighted to welcome our special guests, Mushtaq Khan, CEO of Housing Diversity Network, and Mark Burnett from Riverside Housing Group, who came in his capacity as a Performance Poet with an incredibly powerful poem to really make you stop in your tracks and think about the meaning of Black History Month.
The event closed with attendees sampling some delicious Caribbean food provided by Miss B's Caribbean and English Catering, which got rave reviews from our colleagues.
Our friends from Radio Leyland were on hand throughout the event to capture interviews, speeches and soundbites, and you can listen to it all on Sam Beattie's Radio Leyland breakfast show by clicking this link: Breakfast with Sam Beattie 26 Oct 22 (Guest PHG - Roots Network) by RadioLeyland | Mixcloud
A huge thank you to all our guests and to the Roots Network for organising such a fantastic event at Leyland House.
WATCH:
Radio Leyland
Throughout the last week of October, the Roots Network collaborated with Radio Leyland on their breakfast shows, featuring interviews with Progress Housing Group colleagues, information about our Roots Network and a curated playlist to celebrate Black music and history.
A huge thank you to Radio Leyland, Sam Beattie and the Roots Network for putting together such a brilliant week of interviews, information and music to celebrate and support Black History Month alongside the Group.
Quiz
A common misconception is that our Roots Network and allies will have all the answers and be Black History and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion experts but we're actually all learning together.
Throughout the month, colleagues took part in a daily quiz hosted by members of our Roots Network on our intranet to learn more about Black History Month and its origins.
Inspiring figures
Like last year, we've really enjoyed researching and writing about some Black heroes of ours and some inspiring figures from Black popular culture and history. Our 'Inspiring figures' this year included Black British icon Floella Benjamin, Paralympian and TV presenter Ade Adepitan, and American Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks.
Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who has engaged and got involved in our Black History Month campaign this year.