Reclaiming Narratives

Written by Samie John, Equibalance Project Manager, ELBA

As a young Black professional, this year’s Black History Month theme “Reclaiming Narratives” resonates deeply with me. It’s about correcting historical inaccuracies, celebrating the untold success stories, and fully embracing the rich complexity of Black heritage.

I have experienced the pressures of constantly trying to fit in, it becomes mentally and emotionally exhausting. There have been days when I wasn’t sure who I needed to be in the workplace. Instead of focusing on how I could excel, innovate, or contribute in meaningful ways, I was preoccupied with questions like, “Am I speaking the right way? Am I behaving in a way that’s acceptable here?”

This pressure has even extended to my appearance. In the past I have had a colleague suggest how I should style my hair because of the perception it gave. Comments like that make it clear that sometimes, people expect you to conform to certain standards rather than celebrate who you are.

At ELBA I am embedded in a work culture that I can step into and articulate to those managing me “This is how I like to work; this is how I can best do my work” which is important. This has allowed me to understand who I am and have the courage to bring my full self to the workplace, which has allowed me to gain respect from colleagues and leaders.

Working at ELBA we are all deeply committed to supporting young people and empowering communities with the tools and resources they need to drive meaningful change locally. We do this through our employability skills workshops, career industry insight visits, and mentorship to name a few, which provide young people — especially those from under-represented backgrounds — with the self-awareness knowledge and opportunities to define their own futures.

By offering these resources, we aim to help them reclaim their narratives, and empower them to build careers based on their strengths, potential and authenticity.

Though it may sound cliche, self-awareness is key to a young professional. Understanding your triggers, dreams, values, and knowing what you will not compromise on. It’s about allowing those qualities to be visible in how you show up.

Over the course of the next few weeks in celebration of Black History Month, ELBA will be conducting a series of interviews with Black professionals from our business partners, culminating with an interview with our CEO, Julie Hutchinson.

This will provide an opportunity for these professionals to reflect and share their experiences, and think about what more can be done to foster an inclusive environment.

To stay up to date with the latest news, opportunities and success stories, please sign up to receive our monthly newsletter, here.