How I learnt Black History through entertainment

Akama Davies, Senior Director, Client Services at The Trade Desk guest writes for myGwork during Black History Month. Read on as Akama speaks on how film, TV and podcasts were essential in learning about Black history.

For the last ten years I’ve worked to build global employee resource groups, diversity councils, and programs to drive meaningful change within organisations. I’ve also had the honour to co-found We Are Stripes, a DEI consultancy that champions career progression for ethnically diverse talent, impacting thousands of professionals and transforming diversity practices in organisations like Google, Ofgem, and Disney.

From this experience I can say undoubtedly that understanding Black history is the foundation for understanding Black communities' contributions to global culture, politics, and business, while recognising the struggles they have faced. In recent years, the portrayal of Black history in media has become richer and more nuanced.

Films, TV shows, and podcasts have increasingly taken on the task of telling more diverse and inclusive stories, offering audiences an opportunity to learn about Black excellence, resilience, and heritage in previously overlooked ways.

Among the many great initiatives and projects I've been a part of in my career, two landmark pieces stand out as I reflect on Black History Month.

The first is Simon Frederick's portrait series Black Is the New Black and the second is Rene Germain's book Black and Great: The Essential Workplace Toolkit. Both highlight the stories of Black individuals and their significant societal contributions, making them powerful tools for education and inspiration.

Black Is the New Black – A Celebration of Black British Excellence, by Simon Frederick

Black Is the New Black, a 2016 BBC documentary series created by Simon Frederick, is a standout work that celebrates Black British achievements across various sectors. Frederick, an artist and filmmaker, sought to highlight the success and resilience of Black Britons, who have often been marginalized in historical narratives. The series brings together prominent figures from politics, business, culture, science, and religion, showcasing the breadth and diversity of Black excellence in Britain.

The portrait series and TV show features notable personalities like supermodel Naomi Campbell, veteran journalist Sir Trevor McDonald, and musician Jazzie B of Soul II Soul. These individuals have profoundly influenced British society, and their achievements serve as powerful examples of what Black Britons can accomplish despite the barriers they face. However, the true value of Black Is the New Black lies in situating these stories within the larger context of Black Britain's historical and contemporary struggles, making the documentary a celebration of success against the odds.

A central part of the work was the creation of an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London, which featured portraits of the icons from the show. This exhibition was notable for including the largest group of Afro-Caribbean sitters ever added to the gallery's collection. As someone who had the privilege of being part of the core team that organised the exhibition, I can attest to the immense effort that went into making it a reality. After over two years of hard work, we successfully curated a project that remains one of the museum’s most ambitious initiatives.

The exhibition itself provided a powerful space for education. Leading school tours, I witnessed firsthand the transformative impact that representation has on young minds. The children were deeply inspired by the exhibition, seeing Black figures who looked like them excelling in fields they had never previously imagined as possible career paths. It was a powerful reminder of how positive Black role models in media can be so transformative, instilling a sense of hope and optimism in younger generations.

Black and Great: The Essential Workplace Toolkit, by Rene Germain

Another beacon of inspiration for me is Rene Germain's book Black and Great: The Essential Workplace Toolkit: For Us, By Us. Rene is an inspiring figure whose vision and perseverance made this book a reality, and it serves as a valuable resource for Black professionals navigating challenges in the workplace.

The book features interviews and letters from some of the UK's leading Black voices in their respective fields, such as Beverley Knight MBE, Trevor Nelson MBE, Gina Yashere, Christine Ohuruogu MBE, and Professor Patricia Daley. To have my own contribution featured in the book alongside these remarkable figures was both humbling and empowering. The book provides practical advice on a range of essential career skills, from salary negotiation to overcoming imposter syndrome, while addressing the unique challenges that Black professionals often face in the workplace.

What makes Black and Great so impactful is its candid and supportive tone. It doesn’t shy away from the difficulties that come with being Black in professional environments but instead offers practical, empowering advice for thriving while embracing one's Black identity. The personal stories shared by over 20 successful Black British professionals make the book relatable and inspirational, providing readers with the encouragement they need to succeed.

Collaborative Efforts and Allyship

Over the years, I have been fortunate to work with colleagues who have demonstrated incredible allyship towards the Black community. One memorable initiative included creating interactive walking tours with the Migration Museum, which explored the historical and cultural impact of Black communities in Britain. Another was the production of a free, interactive course on Black history, developed in response to the UK government's refusal to include Britain's colonial history in the national curriculum, especially following the Black Lives Matter protests after the murder of George Floyd.

These collaborative efforts are a testament to how allyship and action can lead to meaningful change. Projects like these make it possible to bring Black history to the forefront and offer a more comprehensive understanding of Britain's past and present.

The Importance of Diverse Narratives in Black History

What ties together all these works – whether Black Is the New Black, Black and Great, or the interactive walking tours – is their commitment to presenting Black history and culture in all its complexity. Black history is not a monolith. It is vast and intricate, woven from countless stories of triumph and resilience. By showcasing these stories through diverse media, we ensure more people can access and learn from these important narratives.

In celebrating Black excellence, we honour the past and inspire future generations to dream bigger and achieve more. Representation in the media is not just important – it is essential to ensuring that every young person, no matter their background, can see themselves reflected in the world around them and believe in their potential to succeed.