04 Nov 2026
This October, colleagues across Forward Trust came together to celebrate Black History Month, reflecting on this year's theme, 'Honouring Our Communities', through events focused on lived experience, storytelling, culture and connection.
On 27th October, our Race Forward ERG collaborated with the team at Millsike Prison to organise a special event for prisoners. The event featured Dan Whyte, Co-Director of Doing What Really Matters, who shared his personal journey of experiencing the criminal justice system as a Black man and how he has since used his lived experience and academic expertise to help drive positive change and improve outcomes for others in the criminal justice system. He reflected on the importance of family and community support throughout his journey, highlighting the role these relationships can play in shaping people's futures.
On 29th October, colleagues gathered at our Head Office for another celebration, organised by our Race and Ethnicity ERG. The event brought together a fantastic range of guest speakers who shared their personal stories, experiences and achievements across areas including healthcare, writing, entrepreneurship, education and community empowerment. With music, a quiz, delicious Jamaican patties and Ting, there was plenty of opportunity for colleagues to connect, learn and celebrate Black culture and heritage.
Sid Singh, Service Manager at The Forward Trust, said:
"Black History Month, like any month of celebration, allows us to soak up culture, tradition, beliefs and understanding from a perspective that we may not usually have heard or known about. We are made up of all sorts of experiences, labels, beliefs, and identities.
"D&R London and ERG-Race attended two events at HMP Millsike and at the Head Offices, where stories and moments were shared, and people were celebrated. What I find amazing about these events is that there is so much crossover - and more that connects us than separates.
"If we choose to understand, we can begin to see the humanness in us all."
Caroline of Leicala Natural Products, a guest speaker and stallholder at our Head Office event, said:
"Thank you for having me at your BHM event yesterday and listening to the other speakers, I found it warming, inspiring and thanks for the opportunity to share our story and our business journey."
Both events provided valuable opportunities to hear different perspectives, recognise the contributions and achievements of Black communities, and celebrate the importance of representation, resilience and belonging.
A huge thank you to our Race Forward and Race and Ethnicity ERG members, the team at Millsike, and everyone who contributed to making both events such a success.
