Black History Month at Comic Relief

Left to Right: Lord Simon Woolley of OperationBlackVote , Olayinka Ewuola of AFFORD – UK, Jacqueline Onalo of JOLT and Comic Relief, Naana Otoo-Oyortey of FORWARD and panel chair, Chibwe Henry of Comic Relief

It was a pleasure to sit on a panel discussion at Comic Relief, the climax of Black History month as we move to making black history part of our DNA with activities throughout the year not just October.

‘ I was honoured to share this platform with Lord Simon Woolley of #OperationBlackVote , Olayinka Ewuola of AFFORD – UK and Naana Otoo-Oyortey  @FORWARD Expertly chaired by Chibwe Henry and organised by Vanessa Thomas

An impressive turn out of over 100 Comic Relief staff and guests from British Airways.

We explored decolonising development.

Lord Simon Woolley stated that Comic Relief must go beyond Relief and use it’s position to change the world view about Africa.

Naana reminded us that Black “ HerStory” is even less known and acknowledged. We must recognise how black women’s bodies throughout history have been used and be committed to change this.

Olayinka shared growing up in Bermondsey as a child and the intolerance she faced then as a Nigerian child and that Brexit had made intolerance more acceptable.

I reiterated the danger of a hidden and doctored history and how that contributes to institutional racism. I encouraged everyone to be involved in telling and listening to Black history which is World History.’

~ Jacqueline Onalo, CEO and Founder of JOLT