As the Chair of the Black Employee Network at Capita, I’m honoured to kickstart this Black History Month by acknowledging the invaluable contributions of Black women to our professional space and the wider community.
This year's theme, "Saluting Our Sisters," encourages us to reflect upon and celebrate the remarkable achievements of Black women throughout history and today.
Black History Month is a significant opportunity for us to recognise and appreciate the indomitable spirit, resilience, and unwavering commitment of Black women in shaping our society. It serves as a reminder that Black women have played pivotal roles in not only driving positive change but also inspiring generations to come.
In the professional sphere, Black women are the least likely to be among the UK’s top earners compared to any other racial or gender group, according to a new LSE report. Researchers from LSE’s The Inclusion Initiative (TII) analysed pay over the past 17 years to establish who is among the top 1 per cent, 10 per cent and 20 per cent of earners.
They found that while all women experience substantial differences in pay, hours and representation in top jobs, it’s Black women, regardless of whether they are UK born, who have the lowest probabilities of being top earners. While 1.3% of UK-born White men are in the top 1%, it is only 0.2% of UK-born White women and less than 0.1% of UK-born Black women.
What are we doing?
At Capita, we acknowledge this problem and have ongoing plans to foster diversity and inclusion. We've seen positive changes in recent years, with an increase in the recruitment and promotion of Black women within our organisation. These advancements have not only enhanced our workforce's diversity but also enriched our collective experiences and perspectives.
What can you do?
To promote and support Black women in the professional space and the wider community, we require our allies. You can do this by actively listening to their voices, advocating for equal opportunities, and addressing the unique challenges they face. Mentorship programs, diversity training, and creating safe spaces for dialogue are some of the steps you can take to promote inclusivity.
In conclusion, Black History Month is a time to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Black women who have made and continue to make a profound impact on our society. Their achievements, resilience, and determination inspire us all to strive for a more equitable and inclusive world. Let’s use this month as an opportunity to uplift, empower, and salute our Black sisters, not only in our workplace but in all aspects of life. Together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone.
#BHM2023 #Wematter #Capita
Adebimpe Makinde
Chair of the Black Employee Network
Bim is a co-founder of the Black Employee Network (BEN) at Capita, a winner of the BEN Star Award 2021 and currently the BEN chair. She leads the executive arm of BEN, helping formulate the network’s strategies, working closely with Capita senior leadership. In her day job, Bim is an accomplished digital consultant and business analyst, skilled in achieving operational efficiency and increasing revenue, with experience of business change, process improvement, business modelling, requirement- and stakeholder management.
