Celebrating Black History Month with myGwork and Swiss Re in London

Black History Month serves as an invaluable opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the rich and inspiring contributions of Black individuals throughout history. The London office of Swiss Re, a renowned global reinsurer headquartered in Switzerland, hosted a remarkable event embracing Black History Month in collaboration with myGwork, the global LGBTQ+ business community.

The event took place on the 25^th of October at The Gherkin in London and holds immense significance as it paves the way for fostering inclusion, educating and mobilizing individuals, and strengthening the bonds within the workplace community, bringing together people across both the Swiss Re and myGwork network.

This event celebrated Black History Month and included an anti-racism discussion with breakfast and networking. With tea, coffee, and pastries served alongside light-hearted networking, followed by a presentation and talk delivered by Em Lawton, an EDI expert, barrister, and keynote speaker.

Em is a Senior Associate at Inclusive Group and began her career in the education sector before going on to become an equality and discrimination lawyer. With her knack for storytelling and engaging audiences, Em is renowned for her ability to connect with others. Em has delivered anti-racism training sessions for a wide range of stakeholders and has spoken at conferences all over the world. As a recurrent guest lecturer at the University of Cambridge, she has appeared on several podcasts and has contributed to programmes on BBC Radio 4.

Em's presentation delved into the difference between being ‘not racist’ and ‘anti-racist’, allyship and intentional inclusion, leaving the audience with actionable steps they could take on their anti-racism journey. Reminding attendees that allyship is an ongoing active process, she invited them to lean into any feelings of discomfort instead of shying away from them – as that is often the area we need to unpack the most.

Radam Ridwan, Social Media & Community Engagement Manager at myGwork, opened the event – speaking of their own experiences and identity, they emphasized the importance of showing allyship within the LGBTQ+ community to one another.

The event offered a platform for dialogue, education, and empowerment. By creating an open conversation and a safe space to ask questions, participants were able to deepen their understanding of anti-racism work and how they can all be a part of dismantling biases and inequality. The event also helped attendees to better understand the challenges faced by Black individuals and the often unseen microaggressions taking place across workplaces.

Such events are crucial in breaking down stereotypes, biases, and prejudices. It provided an opportunity for individuals to appreciate the unique and diverse experiences within their own workplace community. Participating in Black History Month events also demonstrates a commitment to combatting systemic racism and promoting inclusion. By celebrating Black culture and achievements, companies like Swiss Re and myGwork send a clear message that diversity is embraced and valued. This paves the way for creating a workplace culture that is equitable, where individuals of all backgrounds feel safe, empowered, and encouraged to reach their full potential.