Pride in Representation: Why Visibility Matters at Every Level

Pride in Representation: Why Visibility Matters at Every Level | Reflecting on the importance of Black people being seen and heard in leadership, PR campaigns and organisational messaging

Back in the late noughties when I was studying to be a journalist, I thought representation was simply seeing someone who looked like me on TV or sounded like me on the radio. My understanding of the importance of visibility of Black people in the media, writing the copy or producing the shows and content was relatively limited. I also had quite a narrow view of what corporate communications was and the value of professionals from diverse communities being present in it. As I have grown in my career my knowledge and understanding of why visibility at every level matters has too.

In 2020, Green Park released the ‘Colour of Power’ Report, which highlighted the disparity of ethnic diversity in leadership across the UK. Insight from the report revealed that just 52 out of 1,099 of the most powerful jobs in the country were held by ethnic minority individuals. At the time I was a corporate communications manager in the public sector and thought, ‘What does this mean for me and my progression within the sector?’. This was in the summer of 2020, a time which prompted so much conversation and change around creating a more equal, diverse and inclusive society and yet I still felt it was very difficult to see people from our communities progressing into senior roles, particularly within communications. Thankfully, there were some senior leaders who were willing to be involved in mentoring and reverse mentoring programmes, which helped to erode stigmas of ‘one type of leader’ and the importance of having diverse perspectives shaping strategies and campaigns.

In the past, my view has been that often the same figures of success from Black and Brown communities were highlighted as heroes for equality, diversity and inclusion within media and communications. I still applaud these trailblazers for the barriers they have broken down over decades in the UK, these figures often felt so far away from what I was doing day-to-day in communications, marketing or PR I struggled to see myself.

This is why the role of organisations like the UK Black Comms Network is so crucial. From the community it cultivates, to the research it generates. The ‘One Step Forward Two Steps Black’ Report from 2024 is a prime example of this. The statistic that stands out most to me is, ‘⁠⁠More than two thirds (68%) of Black and Mixed-Black communications professionals plan to leave the industry’. Visibility at every level plays a huge part in combatting this issue. Having clear paths of progression for new communications professionals, opportunities for mentoring and spaces to learn informally from experienced colleagues fosters a more dynamic industry, where Black communicators feel able to not only bring their whole selves to work, but also look up and around and see people like them thriving.

As I have progressed through my career into more senior roles, I always reflect on those quiet trailblazers I have seen within the industry. Black communications professionals who have taken up space, done an amazing job at delivering campaigns, crisis comms, public affairs and in doing so, made me realise that I can do it too. Often they have inspired me, without ever explicitly speaking to me about their own journeys - they have just done so by being their authentic selves.

As we navigate changes in the comms and media landscape, the value Black communications professionals bring to the sector has never been greater. Against a climate of so much division and tension in the UK the topic of representation feels so relevant. The need for better representation isn’t just at the top, it is at all levels. It is about getting into the DNA of the industry and better reflecting the world we live in through sensitive, authentic and evolving messaging. Organisations like the UK Black Comms Network provide a much needed platform to champion these voices and experiences for now and for the future. 

My hope is that the next generation sees communications as a space where they can thrive, because wherever they look, they’ll see someone who looks like them already succeeding.