UK Black Comms Network x The Independent

Community. Celebration. Legacy

These were the three words that came to my mind on Tuesday (31 October) as I took my seat at the UK BCN x The Independent Black History Month lunch, in celebration of the second year of the companies’ partnership.

Here we were, over 50 Black people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds connected by our desire to drive change within and beyond our communities.

There were familiar BCN faces – like distant cousins with whom you can pick things back up where you left off. There were also new people to connect with: some working within the broader marcomms space, others leading the mission to uplift the Black British community through charitable and social causes. Organisations like  Mentivity, Milk Honey Bees, Swim Dem Crew and The Safety Box – four of thr eight Black-led initiatives The Independent is backing throughout 2024 as part of its long-term commitment to supporting Black communities.

That the event came on the final day of Black History Month felt significant.

A final hurrah before we return to our often ‘othering’ lives in which – at least in a socio-political sense – we are rarely centred. And one spearheaded by two Black female powerhouses: BCN Founder Kamiqua Lake and Nadine White, The Independent’s inaugural Race Correspondent. Given this year’s ‘Saluting Our Sisters’ theme, this too felt momentous.

Spending time with the legendary Diane Abbott MP was the icing on the delicious cake (shout out to Lovelay Bakery!) for me.

In 2006, I won the ‘Outstanding Achievement at A Level’ at the London School and the Black Child Awards – a youth recognition initiative created by Ms Abbott. The experience really forced me to acknowledge my talents to myself and others – I’ve never looked back!

To reconnect with ‘Aunty Abbott’ nearly 20 years later at an event where I was there in recognition of my leadership within the UK comms industry felt full circle to me. A testament to her legacy. And very much a cause for celebration.