Learn about:
- Some of the activities and events we've hosted.
- What we've learnt from the activities and events we've hosted.
- How we will use feedback to improve our equity, diversity and inclusion practices.
Black History Month Event 2024
Black History Month is celebrated in the UK every October to recognise and celebrate the contributions of Black people to British society and the world.
In October 2024, we hosted an event for our staff to celebrate Black History Month.
The event included talks from the event's speaker and interactive activities relating to Black History Month.
Event attendance
Of the 15 people who said they would attend the event:
- 12 people did attend.
- 3 people didn't attend, citing work commitments as their reason for not attending.
How people felt after attending the event
Of the 12 people who attended the event:
- 4 people said they felt inspired.
- 4 people said they felt challenged.
- 4 people said they felt motivated to take action.
- 4 people said they felt uncomfortable in a way that made them think.
- 2 people said they felt empowered.
- 1 person said they felt confused.
Feedback from those who attended the event highlights the sensitive and complex nature of the topics discussed, as well as the event's success in fostering critical reflection.
While some attendees appreciated the refreshing and thought-provoking nature of the event's content, others found the host of the event too political or disconnected from the event's interactive elements.
What people thought was the most impactful aspect of the event
Of the 12 people who attended the event:
- 5 people thought it was refreshing to hear a perspective we don't usually hear at the council.
- 3 people thought the views of the event's speaker didn't resonate with them, but they appreciated a different perspective.
- 3 people thought the host of the event sparked important conversations we need to have.
- 4 people thought something else was the most impactful aspect of the event.
10 of the 12 event attendees found the interactive elements of the event particularly engaging, highlighting the importance of participating in fostering meaningful connections.
All event attendees praised the discussion of 'The Great British Lie', an activity where participants are asked to consider the way history has been taught and has gone on to shape the world, the UK, and racism today.
What people learnt from the event
Of the 12 people who attended the event:
- 9 people noted how the event deepened their understanding of how history shapes racism today.
- 8 people found themselves challenging existing ideas about history and identity.
- 7 people felt they better understood race as a social construct (something that people in a society all agree with and give meaning to).
- 4 people recognised the importance of decolonising the curriculum (making what is taught in schools more inclusive).
- 2 people said they learnt something else from the event.
- 9 people strongly agreed that the event improved their understanding of Black history and anti-racism. 3 people moderately agreed.
What people wanted from the event
Of the 12 people who attended the event:
- 9 people wanted more open forums on race and inclusion
- 6 people wanted more representation of minority voices in making decisions
- 6 people wanted clear action and accountability on anti-racism
- 4 people wanted focused training on micro-aggression and systemic racism
- 1 person wanted something else
How we can improve future events
People who attended the event felt we could improve future events by:
- Increasing attendance by including:
- More flexible timings for events.
- Virtual or hybrid attendance options.
- More diverse activities to improve accessibility and attract a wider audience.
- Making events shorter for greater engagement.
- Including more representation of other Black and Brown communities.
- Fostering inclusivity by promoting similar events among non-diverse groups and senior leadership.
- Hold more frequent events. The majority of attendees expressed an interest in similar events held regularly throughout the year.
- Balancing speeches with interactive elements to keep people engaged.
While most appreciated the event as a strong starting point, others highlighted the need for broader community representation and alignment of speeches with overall themes.
How to make Rochdale Borough Council more equitable, diverse and inclusive
Of the 12 people who attended the event:
- 11 people want more events and activities linked to equality.
- 8 people want better internal communications about our commitment to diversity.
- 8 people want more training and workshops on inclusion and anti-racism.
- 5 people want us to create safe and brave spaces for discussions about race and identity.
Some of the people who attended the event suggested showcasing positive examples of diversity within the council, including celebrating local achievements like Rochdale’s first Black football manager.