At Alliance for Better Care (ABC), we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that celebrates the diversity of our workforce and the communities we serve. I’m proud to work for an organisation that actively invests in initiatives and champions open dialogue between staff and the community we serve. We believe that listening, learning, and understanding different lived experiences are essential in building a more tolerant and inclusive workplace.
We recognise the importance of awareness months such as Black History Month. These occasions provide us with invaluable opportunities to engage with one another, share our learning, educate, and raise awareness about the different cultures that shape our workplace and society. More importantly, they provide a platform for all of us to reflect on how we can contribute to making our environment more inclusive and understanding. Whilst Black History Month provides a focused opportunity for reflection and celebration, ABC has a commitment to equality and inclusion that extends far beyond a single ‘awareness month’, creating an organisational culture that embraces the fact that everyone has value to add and voices are heard.
Reclaiming Narratives: The Theme for Black History Month
This year’s Black History Month theme, Reclaiming Narratives, marks a significant shift in how we recognise and honour Black history and culture. The focus is on presenting the correct perspective on our stories and correcting historical inaccuracies that have omitted, created fictional accounts, or overlooked the full complexity and contributions of Black individuals, both here in the UK and around the world.
By “Reclaiming Narratives,” we challenge ourselves to look deeper into history. While considering the untold biographies of individuals is honourable, it leaves out critical moments in Black history that were not taught at school and does not redress the biased narrative about Black heritage in its entirety. It’s about taking control of our stories, correcting misunderstandings, and bringing attention to lives that have too often gone unrecognised. This theme is a powerful reminder of the importance of telling our own stories, honouring a true reflection of British history, the roles that certain Black people played in it, and challenging the narratives that have shaped perceptions of Black people and their history.
Project Embrace: Challenging Beauty Norms
A key initiative we’ve been discussing this month is Project Embrace, an organisation that creates positive media representation of Afro-textured hair. It challenges the misrepresentation of Black women and their natural hair in the media, workplace, and wider society. By being more accepting of the various ways beauty is represented, Project Embrace forces us to reflect on our own pre-conceived ideas about what constitutes a professional appearance and how those ideas may impact our colleagues.
This project prompts us to consider how we talk to one another, and whether we’ve been unintentionally judgmental or guilty of microaggressions when it comes to race and identity. I was proud to lead a session with colleagues highlighting how reclaiming our stories also means confronting biases and creating spaces where everyone feels valued and respected.
The 5-Day Challenge: Reflecting and Acting for Change
One of the most exciting opportunities to get involved this month is the 5-Day Challenge, recently undertaken by our Primary Care Network (PCN) team. Feedback from those who participated has been overwhelmingly positive, with many noting how useful and impactful it was to apply what they learned to real-life scenarios.
The challenge encourages staff to take five minutes each day for five days to reflect on a specific theme and put their learning into action. It’s a simple yet effective way to raise personal awareness, improve team culture, and contribute to a more inclusive workplace. Here’s a quick breakdown of each day’s focus:
- Day 1: Microaggressions – Reflecting on subtle, often unintentional, behaviours or comments that can have a big impact on others.
- Day 2: Different Cultures – Understanding and appreciating cultural differences and how they influence workplace dynamics.
- Day 3: Public Praise – Thinking about how we give recognition and ensuring it’s fair, inclusive, and encouraging for all.
- Day 4: Culture of Belonging – Fostering an environment where every individual feels like they truly belong.
- Day 5: The Big Promise – Making a personal commitment to implement what we’ve learned and promote inclusivity moving forward.
The Implicit Association Test
Another crucial part of our efforts to raise awareness and drive change is encouraging staff to take the Implicit Association Test (IAT). Developed by Harvard, this test helps individuals uncover their own biases across 18 different topics, including race, gender, and age. But we don’t just want people to take the test – we want them to be brave, reflect on the results with an open mind, and think about how they can use this newfound awareness to improve personal interactions, strengthen team culture, and share their learning with others.
Take the implicit association test.
Building a More Inclusive Future
Our ABC Inclusion Network is focused on enhancing our workplace culture by raising awareness about different lived experiences and reflecting on the ways in which we impact one another. We are committed to creating a more inclusive environment by providing opportunities for staff to engage in meaningful conversations, share their stories, and learn from one another.
We encourage everyone to get involved, whether it’s through joining the 5-Day Challenge, reflecting on the Implicit Association Test, or simply participating in discussions about what challenged you following the session or after taking the test. You could also watch one of the 2- or 3-minute videos as part of the 5-day challenge.
By working together, we can inspire meaningful change and continue to ensure that our organisation is a place where everyone feels valued and included.
Amanda Johnlewis
Inclusion Champion, Alliance for Better Care (ABC)
Find out about our Inclusion Network
