BHM: Panel at St Barnabus, Kensington

I recently had the pleasure of participating in a panel at St Barnabus Church, Kensington for Black History Month. Co-hosts Dr Lisa Adjei, Head of the Racial Justice Priority at the Diocese of London, and Duncan Dormor, CEO of USPG, created such a welcoming and engaging environment for both the panelists and audience.

The evening’s theme was ‘Removing the Eraser’. We each shared how we approached the re-centering of Black people and culture in our respective lines of work. Panel chair and Bishop of Willesden Luca Nsenga-Ngoy asked a resonant question about the connection between the past and Black futures. I shared my beliefs about the unquestionably vital role of Black people and the global majority in shaping Britain’s past and present, and that modern British culture wouldn’t be what it is today without the labour, culture, humour, fashion, and language of global majority communities. Our continued legacy and lineage in the future is, in the same way, untouchable. The USPG write on their website: The most compelling voice on the importance of history came from Odile Jordan who highlighted the enduring resilience of black communities throughout history.

Many thanks to Siân Harrington, CEO of Fulham Palace Trust, for connecting me and Lisa.