Black History Month 2024
Arts at NUH and the BAME network have partnered to celebrate NUH staff during Black History Month with a special exhibition on North Corridor at City Hospital.
The exhibition can be viewed at City Hospital on North Corridor (close to maternity) from mid-October and will stay up until early 2025.
Staff answered questions around the theme of 'Reclaiming Narratives' You can read their answers and view the images in the exhibition on the links below:
Lovelyn Umeloh
Matron for Community Engagement and Innovation
Nigerian/British
Reclaiming Narratives to me is a movement of cultural challenges towards inclusion and equitable global representation by shining a brighter light on all the positive stories that show who we are.
Adejoke Ogunsolu
Project Support Officer
Nigerian
I felt empowered when I moved to the UK for my master's. Navigating a new culture, I shared my experiences with colleagues, challenging stereotypes and assumptions. This journey helped me embrace my identity fully and inspired others to value diverse perspectives and take control of their own narratives.
Linda Ebeh
Project Support Officer (EDI)
Nigerian
Reclaiming narratives to me means taking control of my own story and experiences. As an international staff member working with the NHS and from a Black African background being able to share authentic experiences and perspectives to counteract dominant narratives that may be inaccurate or incomplete.
Chricy Kainga
Assistant Divisional Nurse Lead for People Workforce and Education
Malawian/Black British
To me, reclaiming narratives means a commitment to take control of correcting historical inaccuracies of black heritage and showcasing the untold success stories and challenges faced by black heritage and honouring our heroes.
Chantal Augustin-Griffith
Clinical Educator
St. Lucian
Persons from my country are generally friendly and helpful and I have always tried to embody that. I’m usually the first person who will reach out with a greeting and I really want to know if you are doing ok, it’s not just saying the words. My culture has also pushed me to be an independent thinker but also team worker.
Aquiline Chivinge
Assistant Director of Nursing
Zimbabwean/British
My culture and community have provided me with the tools to successfully navigate a high-pressure and dynamic work environment. Values such as perseverance, adaptability, and collaboration were instilled in me from a young age, allowing me to approach challenges with resilience and foster positive relationships in diverse professional settings.
Emmanuella Iyo
Staff Nurse
Belizean
I cannot articulate a moment when I truly felt empowered. It may be when I graduated with my nursing degree. Or when I answered NUH’s call to come to England and reduce the shortage of nursing staff. It could be when I held my first born (premature son) and felt the enormity of the responsibility and love. As a Christian, pacifist, and humanist, these values have played a crucial role in shaping my journey. I await the empowerment with a calm expectation.
Kevamae Sobers
Diabetes Specialist Nurse
Barbadian
The positive values which have been instilled in me from growing up in my country Barbados have played an integral role in the person I am today and my choice of profession. My cultural heritage is uniquely founded on my country’s motto ‘Pride & Industry’. This motto remains a constant guide in all of my daily actions.
