Introduction
My name is Frances Darkwa, and I have been at CACI for just over a year now. I currently sit within the Business Advisory team as a consultant. It’s a pleasure to contribute to CACI’s Black History Month this time round. As a new starter this time last year, seeing the company’s contribution to BHM was really important!
Why Black History Month matters more than ever
Over recent years, as the world and the nation becomes more polarised, BHM becomes more important than ever. My grandmother came to the U.K. in the early 60’s with the Windrush Generation (Africans were part of Windrush too!) to work in the textiles industry, whilst my grandad worked as an electrician fixing radios and televisions, at a time where “No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish” were plastered across business premises.
Having watched my family and neighbours work countless hours, studying for various degrees and juggling multiple jobs and children, the Black (and South Asian) communities have been the model of perseverance – a generational triumph. This is something I take into my stride, knowing I walk in the footsteps of those who overcame obstacles many of us will never understand.
A Generation of firsts: Breaking barriers for the future
As a second-generation Eastender, culture has been (and will always be) a core part of my identity. It has shaped how I interact with my community. In London, many newcomers find themselves in lower affluent communities, and having been a by-product of the those who overcame adversity since migrating to the U.K. – I sympathise. My background has taught me humility, compassion, and empathy, and in times like this, we need more of these than ever.
As a Black Brit, having come here on an economic back foot, we are a generation of firsts. Statistically, many are the first to go to Uni, first to get an office job, first to buy a home, and many more. This Black History Month, let us celebrate those who got to where they are now, despite the adversity, despite the setbacks, and the institutional obstacles, who were able to break the glass ceiling by standing on the shoulders of those who came before us.
What being Black and British means to me today
There aren’t many communities which can compare to the Black British community. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but we are relatively young. Unlike our friends across the pond, who have a different history, we’re the new kids on the block. Our young identity however makes it that bit more exciting to be Black British. Almost everything we do is new! New music, new dances, new cuisines, new art forms, new hairstyles, new fashion trends. To me, right now, to be Black and British means I get to join my community in creating a blueprint for future generations to follow. What an honour!
The role we all have to play
Honouring the Black Community is simple, it’s about thinking of the struggles that many of us and our bloodlines had to overcome so we can be sat here today, its about acknowledging the breakthroughs that we have made as a community, and most importantly, extrapolating what we understand from Black History to the those who are fighting for a safe place today. If there is one thing I ask to apply from this short commentary, its compassion.
Working anywhere as a minority always comes with its challenges, with many often wondering whether they “fit in” or “belong”. CACI is a place where expertise is valued, and working here means you will be judged by your contribution and not your background. The compassion amongst employees makes it easier to settle doubts and fears we inherit, and across the organisation it is essential that we ally around our POC colleagues and instil them with the assurances that they are supported and appreciated
