In October 2024, FSP led an internal Black History Month panel discussion in line with this year’s theme on ‘Reclaiming Narratives’. We knew it was going to be a powerful discussion, but it exceeded expectations through and through!

This year’s national theme, Reclaiming Narratives, encourages the Black community to actively participate in shaping the way their stories are told. Our panellists delved into the intersectionality of their experiences, highlighting how different cultures, communities, and societal events have influenced their lives.

We were all moved by the compelling stories shared by several of our colleagues – Debie Stoute, Simba Thomas, Catrina Knight, Pauline Toussaint and Lukman Abdul-Karim. We are so grateful to them for sharing just a glimpse of their unique stories of their personal and professional journeys with us. Key takeaways included:

• Everyone’s narrative is completely unique. One person in the Black community’s story is not the same as another
• Intersectionality shapes the experiences of all individuals
• Educate with grace – have understanding and compassion that people almost always have good intentions and humans make mistakes, so be open to educating each other
• Should the Black community have to ‘reclaim’ the narrative?
• Stories should be told by the individuals themselves and events like this enable people to have that opportunity, rather than stories being told by those who didn’t have the experience first-hand

It was a very personal and emotional discussion that out of respect, we have kept between our speakers and those able to join the presentation. However, we have had so much positive feedback from those listening across all our locations – England, Scotland, Spain and India, that we will definitely be keeping the conversation alive over on our podcast channel!

At FSP, we truly believe in the power of authentic storytelling and the immense impact it has, both on an organisational and individual level. Hosting events, like this Black History Month panel discussion, allows us to create a space where people from all walks of life can share their unique stories and be heard. We will continue to provide a platform for diverse voices, ensuring that everyone feels seen, respected, and valued. The conversations sparked by events like these are an opportunity to learn and they inspire growth, understanding, and connection. Thank you so much to everyone who participated – your contributions are truly what make FSP such a special place and we couldn’t be where we are on our journey without you.

As said so eloquently by Simba Thomas:

“Ultimately, everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated for who they truly are, regardless of the spaces they occupy.”