Voices of Black History Month

Voices of Black History Month

Theodore Williams, Support Worker

In celebration of Black History Month, we’re speaking with Advance customers and team members to understand what the commemorative month means to them.

Here, Theodore Williams, known as Theo, shares his thoughts about Black History Month.

Theo is passionate about supporting people towards independence. Having previously moved to St Lucia to informally care for his grandmother, Theo became a professional carer back in London before joining Advance as a Support Worker in 2023.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

To me, it is about celebrating the great things that have gone before, where we are now and, ultimately, coming together and staying together to ensure a great future ahead of us.

It is all about community, shared core values, our culture, celebrating who we are, what our ancestors achieved and our own collective potential.

Why is it important to celebrate Black history in our communities?

As well as reminding us of our core values and celebrating everything that is great about our culture, it is also a time for reflection as a community. It allows us and new generations to learn from the past and take pride in how previous generations have overcome hardship to do great things.

Based on their shared history of oppression, I think Black people are so proud of their freedom, their health, being happy and being loved.

How does Advance make you feel included and valued?

I work alongside other Black colleagues, including two who have worked for Advance for 30-plus years. They are knowledgeable and supportive, people I look up to and who have acted as mentors to me.

That is very inspiring and makes you feel comfortable, being part of a group that is diverse, open and welcoming. It gives me the courage to give my very best in my work, knowing that they are my people and they’ve got my back.

What does inclusivity look like to you?

Never being left out or left behind. Striving to ensure that everyone is heard, their contribution is valued and their presence is respected. I think we all want that, at the end of the day.

How can organisations continue to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion all year round, not just during Black History Month?

All ethnic backgrounds and cultures should be represented in all aspects of life, from catering to the media, from social spaces to communications. For example, if you see a ‘Welcome’ banner at an event which includes that word in different languages it immediately generates an atmosphere of inclusion and warmth.

I would like to see more research into and education about specific ethnic groups and different cultures. As a Support Worker, the more information I have about an individual and their background, the better I can do my job.

I also think getting to know your neighbours is crucial to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion. It would be brilliant if communities held monthly street parties to encourage a sense of togetherness. The more socially integrated we are, the better we can support each other.

In schools, I think there should be more education around understanding and respecting different perspectives, to foster emotional intelligence and resilience. That would reduce conflict and encourage us to treat each other better, so hopefully we can all live together more harmoniously.