A Historic Milestone in the Journey Towards Freedom Juneteenth, observed on June 19th, is a significant date in American history. It marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. This day is more than just a historical footnote; it is a symbol of the long and ongoing struggle for freedom, justice, and equality in the United States.   Historical Context To fully appreciate the significance of Juneteenth, it’s essential to understand the broa ..read more

The Pyramid of Hate The recent demonisation of Diane Abbott by one of the Conservative Party’s biggest donors expressed a level of racism in Britain that most of us would find unacceptable. Dehumanising language has been the precursor to racist violence, lynchings and mass murder throughout history. This hierarchal pyramid of discrimination illustrates how prejudice and discrimination can escalate to more severe forms of violence and oppression. Developed by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to help understand the progression of bias-motivated behaviour. The relationship between the most extrem ..read more

The Pyramid of Hate The recent demonisation of Diane Abbott by one of the Conservative Party’s biggest donors expressed a level of racism in Britain that most of us would find unacceptable. Dehumanising language has been the precursor to racist violence, lynchings and mass murder throughout history. This hierarchal pyramid of discrimination illustrates how prejudice and discrimination can escalate to more severe forms of violence and oppression. Developed by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to help understand the progression of bias-motivated behaviour. The relationship between the most extrem ..read more

What is Masking? Masks have been one of the many adaptations that enable us to survive and thrive, despite the stressors of the workplace or our external environments. At times, we all feel vulnerable, experience pain or feel afraid. And, feelings of dependency or inadequacy are often expressed in our bodies, psyche or through company culture. “Masking” specifically refers to when an individual hides or suppresses symptoms, behaviours, or difficulties they are experiencing. While masking can offer a temporary shield from judgment or discomfort, it can also breed feelings of alienation, disconn ..read more

Inspiring Inclusion #IWD2024 Inspire Inclusion encourages everyone to recognise the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalised communities. One of the key pillars of promoting and inspiring Inclusion is the promotion of diversity into leadership and decision-making positions. This International Women’s Day, it’s imperative to amplify the stories and achievements of Black women and create spaces where their voices are heard and valued. It is also a great time to demonstrate allyship or take action to amplify the voices of women ..read more

Breaking Barriers for a Brighter Future Human Resources, often hailed as the heart of an organisation, is facing a glaring dilemma – a lack of diversity. Despite being the driving force behind shaping company culture and ensuring fair practices, HR departments worldwide remain largely homogeneous, with women comprising a significant majority, particularly in the UK. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers. Women make up a staggering 68% of the HR workforce globally, a trend that spans across various industries and sectors. While it’s commendable to see women taking charge in this vital functio ..read more

Racial & ethnic groups the wider disparities Anyone working in healthcare will know among racial and ethnic groups there are always wider disparities…… Black mothers experience postpartum depression more than any other group and Black women are 4x more likely to die in childbirth than other groups. The release of the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework for Mental Health Trusts and Providers (PCREF) Is designed to address disparities in healthcare outcomes, access, and experiences. Like all frameworks, they aim to promote equality, eliminate discrimination, and improve the quality of ..read more

Always hypervisible! The idea that success is a ‘one size fits all’ approach and not trusting your instincts or that something can be done in a different way is harmful and exhausting. If like me you are highly emotionally sensitive to people and situations. One of the reasons for this is that being the ‘only one’ or the first one in a team or work environment will make you hyper-visible! This may show up as, and this list is not exhaustive; Always getting work DONE, even if it means no work-life balance. I never missed a deadline! Your inbox is immaculate and you will always respond in a ti ..read more

Kitchen ceilings As I rushed around, frantically grabbing the final presents. I couldn’t help but wonder why I always ended up in this chaotic situation. Every year, I promised myself that I would be more organised and avoid leaving everything to the last minute. But here I was, on Christmas Eve, stuck again in the dreaded traffic with all the other last-minute people like me! Just as I was about to pull out of the crowded car park, my phone rang. “There is water pouring through the kitchen ceiling,” came the panicked voice on the other end. I knew I wasn’t far from home, so I suggested go ups ..read more

Holding onto past hurts As humans, we often indulge in the practice of holding onto past hurt in the form of grudges. A grudge is the manifestation of harboured anger, bitterness, resentment, or other negative feelings that persist long after someone has caused us pain. However, the practice of nursing grudges is less about the person against whom the grudge is held, and more about the individual holding onto the negative emotions. Last week in Kinship, we explored how we could move into 2024 ‘Limitless’ without carrying some of the soul wounds within us. The psychological aspects of the uncon ..read more