Winifred speaks on her experience, Black History Month

 

We’re AB InBev, brewer of some of the world’s best beers, like Stella Artois, Corona and our American brand Budweiser. 

 

Introduce yourself, please. What is your role and responsibilities:   

I’m currently working in our supply and logistics team in Prague. My role involves tracking and controlling raw materials needed for our breweries and communicating with suppliers, procurement and our technical teams to ensure materials are available. No two days are the same! And as well as getting to work alongside some great people, I'm also encouraged to grow by learning new skills. 

 

What does Black History Month mean to you?  

To me personally, I don’t have a strong connection with it but that doesn’t mean I don’t empathise with BHM and what it represents to Africans/African Americans all over the world, and not just in the UK and America. My reservation stems from the fact that I know my history, culture and background and I don’t need a particular time or space to celebrate my heroes past and my African heritage.  

 

Who is your role model?   

My Grandmother: Grace Uyok Okpo – She sadly died in 2012 at the age of 87 but was the building block of my character and personality. Mrs. Grace Uyok Okpo – was my first best friend, my storyteller and someone I could confide in. A mother of 10 children, she lived through the Nigerian Civil War. My life is a product of her care and love, instilling the values of faith, hard work and self-belief and obtaining a good education. She will always live strong in my memory and be a guiding light in my life.  

 

Where do you feel we’re at in race relations in Europe?   

Of course, I’m different and I don’t need a soothsayer to highlight it! But I see myself and exist as a human being first and not defined by the colour of my skin, better still as Winifred Aja OKPO (Just to be sentimental about my name, it stands for ‘Friend of Peace Shalom King’).  

I feel race is more subtle in Europe and more talked about in UK and US but don’t forget these are not discussions on the effects of the label “race” and it’s high time we do better as individuals. Thanks to AB InBev – labels are only put on Beer, not on our colleagues and consumers. 

As an African, specifically a Nigerian living in Prague, I have had my share of culture shocks. My ability to live and adapt has been a personal journey. I can’t take for granted that I have also benefited immensely from studying, working and living in Prague. On this note, I think we’re near to letting race just be a word that it should be and not a tool. A lot has happened over the years and our society is much more cosmopolitan. 

 

Black Lives Matter protests around the world last year sparked a commitment across society and business for greater education about Black history, heritage and culture – as part of understanding racism and standing in solidarity against it. So, a year on, has anything changed for the better?   

 

I believe it had to happen after the death of George Floyd, or maybe the whole world needed a wake-up call to realise if we’re able to create anything good or bad, we can uncreate it. But whilst it’s easy for society and businesses to commit to change, it starts with personal effort. I do feel things are progressing, the ability to realise and empathise is one thing though, taking steps in actioning and acknowledging the changes required is another.  

 

Working at AB InBev, how do you feel equality is recognized by colleagues and leadership?   

Working at AB InBev – there is enough room for equality amongst my colleagues and kudos to AB InBev for providing avenues for improvement. My team members make working a lot more stress-free. I can strongly say AB InBev is living out its principles and truly recognises that its people are its biggest strength.  

 

"I SEE MYSELF AND EXIST AS A HUMAN BEING FIRST AND NOT DEFINED BY THE COLOUR OF MY SKIN, BETTER STILL AS WINIFRED AJA OKPO.‎"