Black History Month: Reclaiming Narratives

October marks Black History Month, widely regarding as one of the most prominent cultural celebrations of the year, with this year’s theme focusing on Reclaiming Narratives. 

The Power of Stories

In today’s world, stories are powerful tools that shape how we understand our past, present, and future. For too long, the history of Black communities has been told through lenses that often misrepresent, oversimplify, or entirely overlook the rich and diverse experiences of those who lived it. 

One of the most exciting aspects of Reclaiming Narratives is its potential to inspire and educate the next generation. In schools, universities, and cultural institutions, this theme offers a fresh perspective on Black history that goes beyond the traditional focus on slavery and civil rights. It’s about celebrating Black excellence in all its forms — whether in the arts, business, sciences, politics, or everyday life.

Celebrating Narratives

Here at Centrica, two of our employee networks, VOICE and REACH, have marked the occasion by holding an event to discuss the Reclaiming Narratives theme at our Bord Gáis office with marketing powerhouse Adebola Olomo. 

A rising star in the tech and marketing world and holding over a decade of diverse experience, Adebola has left an indelible mark on the industry. Formerly with HubSpot, Adebola now leads Deefrent Media Agency in Ireland and serves as the Communications Lead for Women in A.I Ireland. As the co-founder of ThriveInclusion, a social enterprise dedicated to advancing digital inclusion, Adebola is committed to bridging the digital divide and fostering an inclusive tech landscape for all. Engaging in these conversations is vital to empowering every voice and together we hold a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates diverse perspectives from all industries and walks of life. 

Challenging Narratives

We heard from Adebola about what this year's theme means to her and the importance of challenging narratives that often overlook the contributions of the black community: 

"Our history is more than just a narrative — it's a lived experience that deserves to be told authentically, in our own voices. This year’s theme challenges us to break free from the limited stories that have been told about the Black community and instead, celebrate the depth of our contributions."

Abdul Kamara, co-chair of the VOICE network added:

"This year the VOICE Network has been focused on collaborating with our brilliant Employee Networks. Collaborating with the REACH Network during Black History Month, allowed us to hear from our colleagues from the UK & Ireland around the theme of Reclaiming Narratives. We wanted to celebrate the significant achievements of black people in the UK and abroad, while also taking control of some of our stories.’"

This year’s theme offers a platform for educators and community leaders to engage young minds in a way that is both meaningful and empowering – something that we continually embrace at Centrica.