Black History Month 2023

One of our BDP Belonging project groups focuses on Race and Lack of Black Representation. The group's firsthand experiences play a pivotal role in shaping our action plans. This year, a significant action was the introduction of an additional mentoring programme for Black and minority ethnic employees, developed in collaboration with Built by Us to ensure it meets their unique needs.

The group has also played a crucial role in shaping our plans for Black History Month. Last year, our focus was on celebrating Black designers. This year we were delighted to invite Ayo Sokale, Bongani Muchemwa and Aisha Janki Akinola to join our panel discussion on how ethnicity influences and impacts design. It touched on their journey into the industry and career highlights. Aisha conveyed her enthusiasm for coming into the built environment with the opportunity to drive positive and meaningful change.

Key points from the discussion include:

- The importance of bringing your authentic self to work and how lived experiences can aid and enhance design to be more inclusive.

-The difficulty of understanding barriers until you face them, and therefore the necessity to have people from different walks of life and diverse perspectives to enhance the experience for the end user.

-How Designers must cultivate empathy and have a willingness to listen to others' perspectives

-Collaborating with a diverse team, each with distinct viewpoints and perspectives fosters creativity and innovation.

- The industry needing more role models from different backgrounds who can champion the space and inspire younger generations to consider joining the industry.

-The need for Leadership to acknowledge biases and actively work to address them. Mentorship is pivotal for guiding, supporting, and inspiring employees.