Black History Month
Black History Month
Feature
Guest editorial
Above left to right : Kalimah Ibrahiim and Dr Blaine Robin
Black History Month 2023 is themed as ‘ Sisterhood ’, celebrating contemporary Black women who are breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes in various fields .
This editorial is written by guest editors Kalimah Ibrahiim , who is an Associate Professor in Occupational Therapy at Buckinghamshire New University , Professional Lead for the university ’ s OT programmes , and an RCOT Council Member , and Dr Blaine Robin , Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at Leeds Beckett University .
Together , they are the first British-born OTs of Caribbean heritage to serve in these fulltime roles . Their achievements are a timely acknowledgement of the journey and hard work that their parents made from the Caribbean as part of the 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation ’ s commemoration .
Kalimah is of Trinidadian and St Vincentian heritage and Blaine is of Dominican heritage . The painful reality is that all Caribbean islands were slave colonies of predominantly transported African people until 1838 , when enslavement was abolished .
The Windrush generation and their descendants have experienced pernicious and systematic incidents of race prejudice and racism , often at the expense of their health , livelihoods and lifeforce .
The occupational therapy profession has become an active voice for greater representation and equity within the workforce . According to the Health and Care Professions Council ’ s Diversity Data Report 2021 , Black OTs in the UK constitute only 4 % of the profession .
To reflect society ’ s working age numbers this figure should be closer to 7.4 %. This statistic underscores the importance of addressing diversity and ensuring that underrepresented voices are heard .
During Black History Month , the profession reflects on its accomplishments and commitment
to providing comprehensive and inclusive education . Collaboration is key to preparing students and newly qualified OTs to meet the diverse and dynamic needs of service users in the health and social care system .
The series of insightful articles in this month ’ s magazine showcases the brilliant achievements of OTs of African and Caribbean heritage , shedding light on their experiences and journeys within occupational therapy .
On the topic of OTs in higher education , opposite , we hear from Aicha Djalo Balde on being an OT lecturer at the intersections of culture , while on page 21 , Sarah Selina Macmillean reflects on her experience as a guest lecturer .
Then , on pages 22-23 , Ebenezer Baiden discusses mentoring and his journey through the education system in Leeds as a Black student , while on pages 28-30 , Dr Blaine Robin looks at the efforts to redress the imbalance of educational attainment in Leeds .
Dr Ellen Adomako has been studying , practising , and teaching within OT in Ghana and the UK for 15 years . Turn to page 25 to hear more of her story .
Moving on to focus more widely on the experience of Black OTs in practice , we profile the role of Kosiwa Nicholls as a primary care mental health practitioner ( pages 22-23 ). Then on page 31 , we hear about OT Noma Makhanda , who is working to ensure the workforce and the wider profession reflects our populations .
Margaret Michael shares her career journey and the mentors and people who have inspired her , while Sherlyn Graham talks about her career in adult social care , both on pages 18-19 . And Mapule Masemola-Ralehika reflects on working as an occupational therapist in South Africa and the UK on pages 32-33 .
Emma Da Silva reflects on her cultural identity and journey , with a shout out to inspirational mentors and Black women , on pages 20-21 , as
12 OTnews October 2023