reflections on black history month UK

This year in terms of theme couldn’t have been more of a Leanne topic. Focussing on Black women. Yet, despite my excitement I decided to reserve my opinion until it was all over.

I have been lucky to have given keynotes at PGIM, Morningstar and Neuberger Berman just to name a few and what has been amazing is seeing the engagement, drive and clear focus on how to improve the workplace for Black women.

The shift that I have seen is in understanding that helping Black women will also help other marginalised and minoritised groups in the workplace. Creating a commonality in goal and understanding, but at the same time recognising that some internal structures and processes do not support the progress of Black women, even if it is unintentional.

Financial services as an industry influences the way we live and has the capacity to not only change the workplace for Black women but have an even broader impact, which is why I am so honoured to be a part of this important movement.

I want the workplace to be better for Black women, but I also know that it’s a collaborative effort to get us there.

My forthcoming book Closing the Gap: How To Include Black Women in Any Gender Equity is designed to help Black women and allies alike to recognise organisational barriers and to work together to dismantle them.

To bring it back to collaboration, I can’t thank all the Black women who gave their time to complete our Closing the Chasm report. Without you,I wouldn’t have the insights that went into my book.

As November begins, the question is ‘what next?’ And I hope each one of you has an answer. Whether it’s getting a copy of my book to start your learning journey or starting to create a strategy on how to retain Black women. Whatever you decide to do either individually or organisationally please do something.