CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT DALSTON JUNCTION

The EDI Steering Group and colleagues from across the business were at Dalston Junction yesterday, to celebrate Black History Month.

There were bags filled with goodies for our customers, including materials from the Sickle Cell Society, food and even music from ARL’s very own DJ, Wale Agunbiade, customer host. Much fun was had while also allowing for valuable discussions about what Black History Month means and why it is so important.

“The event was a collaboration of various teams in the business as we saw the ladies from HR, traincare colleagues and a couple of drivers popped up to see what was going on. The traincare team won the steps and were delighted to receive their prizes,” said Elizabeth Umoke, EDI Steering Group lead. “The music was to the delight of many customers, Wale was superb. The food was prepared by a local Caribbean bakery, Rainbow Bakery (talk about promoting our own!)”

“Customers couldn’t believe the bags, goodies and food was free. Some very great conversations and interactions,” added Elizabeth.

Customers were asked what Black History Month means to them and we had some fantastic responses, including the below:

1. A sense of pride

2. A time to reconnect and know that African people are amazing

3. As a 33-year-old woman, it is a chance and a reminder to learn about people and parts of history that we were not taught in school.

4. Black history should be celebrated everyday not just in a month

5. A way of embracing the past, celebrating the present and hoping for the future

6. This is a lovely exhibition, very timely but no one is only black for a month or a year. It should be celebrated every day.

“Please can we have this wonderful celebration every day,” said one customer. “What a difference, hearing great tunes when you come out of the station!”

“This is amazing. Dalston, I love you! What a wonderful way to celebrate Black History Month. I feel at HOME,” added another customer. “We should have a DJ at the station every week! What a vibe,” one more agreed.

Don’t forget, there’s still time to get involved with Black History Month. The EDI Steering Group are putting together a cookbook filled with wonderful, wholesome, healthy and fulfilling dishes from various cultures, and they are looking for your contributions. To submit your recipes, please send them via email to Theresa.Opoku-Ware@arrivarl.co.uk and TalkDandI@arrivarl.co.uk.

Plus, there’s the chance for the whole family to get involved as we are encouraging the little people in our lives to get poetic. Send your contributions that describe Black History Month to Aliyah.Abdulla@arrivarl.co.uk and TalkDandI@arrivarl.co.uk. There are exciting prizes up for grabs!

There is also still the opportunity to sign up for Excellerate, our bespoke Career Accelerator Programme open to all colleagues no matter where they are in their careers. It particularly aims to facilitate progression for ethnically diverse talent and colleagues. If you are interested, please sign up for the programme by clicking here.