Black History Month Blog: Carlie

To celebrate Black History Month we asked Elim colleague Carlie some questions about her heritage and what working in social housing means to her as a mixed-race woman…

What is your ethnic background and how do you celebrate your heritage?

I am mixed race, that is how I identify; this is personal to me and how I see myself.

However, I also identify as Black in a social context as I am seen by society as Black and have experienced racial discrimination due to the colour of my skin and ethnicity.

My grandparents on my mother’s side are Jamaican and my mum is Black British, first generation. My grandfather came to the UK in 1948 and was part of one of the first large groups of Caribbean people to come to the UK as part of Windrush Scheme. As the Caribbean was, at the time, a part of the British commonwealth, those who arrived were automatically British subjects and free to permanently live and work in the UK. My dad is white British; however, his grandmother is Anglo Indian.

I wouldn’t say I ‘celebrate’ my heritage, as this is who I am and I’m very proud of that. A term I would prefer to use is that I embrace and accept my heritage. I am aware of my Jamaican history and roots, and it is an integral part of who I am.

From an early age I have learned about my Jamaican history and the struggles that Black people have faced from early migration to the UK to present day. One of the ways which I do celebrate my heritage is to be aware of the rich culture and the contributions Black people have made to British society through, Music, Arts, Science, Sports, and Civil Rights Leaders.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

There’s no denying BHM is important, it’s an opportunity to highlight the hard work and achievements of Black people, but it can be a double-edged sword. Being so tied up with British history, it runs the risk of being tokenistic. Black history is intertwined with British history in a so it shouldn’t be just a month-long spotlight.

It’s important that it retains its message, and for me, this starts within the Education System which still very much focusses on African Colonisation and Slavery rather than celebrating the achievements of Black historical figures throughout history who contributed to Science, Music, Medicine, and Revolutionary Leaders. It is important that people are aware of Black historical figures, and this should be an integral part of the school system.

Although we are slowly moving in the right direction, there is still a long way to go.

Can you tell us about how you came to work in Social Housing?

After University, I was a single parent looking for my next challenge. My Stepdad who was the manager at a Citizens Advice branch, in Oxfordshire, said that I should consider volunteering at a local Citizens Advice in Bristol and train as an Advisor. I volunteered, which then led to a paid role as an Information Worker, involving signposting and triage on front reception as well as supporting and training volunteer Receptionists.

Six years later I was an Officer Administrator for a mental health housing organisation, I worked within a multi-disciplinary team and met residents daily who I was able to get to know and this sparked my interest in support work. I was able to train in mental health, dealing with crisis before deciding to go into a more support-based role working specifically with women with complex mental health problems and housing needs.

I saw a role at Elim Housing at Phoenix Place and decided to go for it, and that’s how I got into social housing!

During all this, I’m proud to have been able to set up a campaign with a group of friends, and be part of ‘One Billion Rising’, which was a global campaign set up by Eve Ensler in 2013 to end gender-based violence for women and girls. This was a big achievement for us as we managed to organise a 200 strong women’s flash mob dancing across Bristol City. The Mayor George Ferguson came and danced with us too! This led to funded dance workshops for women which created links with other groups and organisations and gave a place for women to dance and stand together in the community.

I have also been a volunteer with ‘Tiger’, a cooperative delivering workshops to young people throughout the city at schools and youth projects around gender equality. With my experience of mental health, gender and domestic violence I felt that I would have valuable qualities that I could bring to the role of a Supported Housing Officer.

I know you’re a creative person, do you have any of your own projects that you are able to find time for?

As well as working as a Supported Housing Officer I am in the process of setting up my own clothing brand. I have always been interested in fashion and design and have a degree in drawing and applied art. I take my inspiration from African textiles, Hip-Hop and Pop Culture and I have an interest in ‘slow fashion’ that focuses on ethical and environmentally friendly garments.

I am also interested in supporting owned Black businesses and being a part of that movement.

This year’s BHM theme is ‘Time for Change: Action Not Words’. What action would you like Elim to take to further support diversity and inclusion within the organisation and within the housing sector?

I think it starts with recruitment. Recruitment into housing can be tricky at the best of times but even more so for Black people. I would like to see a continued push into getting graduates excited about a career in social housing with clear pathways to make it happen. Our customers are diverse and its important to match that with our workforce.

This is about exploring nontraditional routes into a role and reaching individuals when they are still at a stage in life when they are deciding what route to take.

Within the sector, I would like to see change reflected in the diversity of higher management, with representation at all levels.

Elim is taking the right steps, but as a sector we need to keep pushing for change and opportunities for all, removing barriers and championing Black and Ethnic Minority colleagues. As a member of the Elim Equality and Diversity Working group, we explore these issues within the group and we are committed to working towards making these changes.

I know you live and work in Bristol. Are there any brilliant individuals or organisations working in the city that you would like to highlight for their work celebrating or supporting Black and Minority Ethnic communities in the city?

Too many to mention! Firstly, Cleo Lake, Green Party Former Councilor for Cotham and Former Lord Mayor of Bristol. She has a background of working with communities and young people particularly from Black and Ethnic Minorities across the city and is a strong social justice activist and campaigner.

My acquaintance, Dixon. He works with high-risk children within Bristol schools, mentoring them and being a fantastic strong Black male role model.

Bristol Youth Workers… these people are the unsung heroes of our community particularly in the St Pauls area of Bristol where youth workers create safe places for young black people including Steering youths away from gangs. These people continue to be aware of the issue’s Black youths face and raise their aspirations and provide opportunities for them. They work behind the scenes but are integral in the fight for change.