Building a better tomorrow with actions not words - Black History Month

To build a better tomorrow we need to acknowledge the past and learn from it, but real change for the future will come through action, not words. We need to move beyond short-term or talking the talk to taking real, long-term actions. This might mean creating impactful policy changes, improving learning and development or thinking about what you can do as an individual to create change.

Black History Month is a chance to celebrate and learn from our colleagues’ black history, heritage and culture and the legacy of iconic figures. But it is so much more than a time to reflect on the past. It is a chance to see what Defence is doing now to build a better tomorrow and to look to the future and understand what actions you can take to enact change.

This year Defence has taken great strides forward setting up a cross Defence Race Equity Programme to cohere all race-related actions. As part of this we delivered a clear and visible mandate for change with the Race Action Plan, which will be delivered in two phases and focuses on increasing representation, improving progression and retention, improving services and making Defence a better place to work.

The action plan sets out tangible actions which will be monitored to make sure the words in the plan become actions. It also highlights the role you can play in driving race equality across Defence and creating a workplace where everyone is committed to equality and diversity for all.

The plan is being delivered in two phases. Phase 1 is primarily aimed at our civil servants and incorporates actions that will impact all personnel. Phase 2 will focus on race inclusion within our military and will be delivered next year.

Message from Rear Admiral Robert Pedre, Race & Ethnicity Advocate, Royal Navy:

“I am encouraged that Defence supports UK-wide initiatives that unite organisations and individuals in activity to celebrate, educate and address the challenges that historically affect ethnic minority employees.

“Defence published the Race Action Plan in the Summer; this will forge an alliance for a collaboration to achieve inclusivity across all areas. Increased engagement throughout the year from across our People Directorate, stakeholders, advocates, allies, and staff networks is a fantastic example of this in action.

“This engagement must continue to be encouraged as it enhances the organisational understanding of the lived experience and challenges us to do better. It is essential for Defence to act now.

“Over the course of the month, Defence will feature a series of events which focus on Black History, our history, its importance and relevance to everyone.

“I am proud of all our people throughout the Royal Navy and across Defence for our commitment to keeping up with the pace of significant change across the globe. Our contributors have come together to enhance our understanding of Black History and Defence now and into the future.

“As an organisation we will not tolerate any form of racism; we are a microcosm of our magnificently diverse society in the UK and Commonwealth. We must look beyond the month and continue to celebrate and recognise the contributions of all our diverse communities. We must be an inclusive organisation that embraces the diversity and quality of all our people; these are our core values. 

“I am looking forward to my role as your Royal Navy Race and Ethnicity Advocate, where I will continue to listen and champion the policies that will break down barriers to equality and hold the organisation, our organisation, to account with the clear support of my peers and all of you across the MOD.”