CTSI is celebrating Black History Month (1-31 October) with a range of thought-provoking content aligned to this year’s theme of ‘reclaiming narratives’.
Among the materials available on the CTSI website are contributions from some of Trading Standards’ Black leaders, profiles of some of the UK’s Black public service trailblazers, and information on how CTSI members can learn more about Black history and its relevance to modern society. The website will be updated throughout the month with further materials and resources.
Black History Month is an international commemoration, exploration and celebration of the contributions made by people of African and Caribbean heritage to our shared culture. It originated in the US and has been observed in the UK since 1987.
Since it signed the Race at Work Charter in 2021, CTSI has reaffirmed its commitment to making the Trading Standards profession more diverse and inclusive. This has included initiatives such as the Race and Equalities Working Group, the Ubuntu mentoring programme and a walk exploring Black history at this year’s Conference in Leeds.
Around the country local authorities are also getting involved; in the London Borough of Wandsworth Black History Month is being celebrated with the 365 programme of arts commissions and a street market supporting local Black businesses; Cambridge City Council has teamed up with Oblique Arts to celebrate the contributions to British life made by the Windrush generation; in Bristol, events include walking tours, film screenings and a ballet about the experiences of the Windrush generation; and in Tower Hamlets a photography exhibition is presenting a diverse collection of images by black British photographers.
Elsewhere in the country, the City of Wolverhampton Council is hosting the Wolverhampton African Business Forum with the aim of harnessing and promoting a more inclusive economy; Plymouth City Council is holding events including movie nights, a food court and a workshop to encourage collaboration on BAME healthcare issues; across Wales a range of activities and events are taking place, with a variety of learning resources available; in Scotland a dedicated website is available with a list of events and activities; and in Northern Ireland, local councils have united to light up their buildings to mark the occasion.
Trading Standards Trailblazers
As part of CTSI’s ‘TS Trailblazers’ initiative, the Institute is attempting to find the UK’s first Trading Standards Officers, Weights & Measures Inspectors, and other regulatory compliance professionals, drawn from across Britain’s diverse communities. The goal is to learn about their lives and give them recognition for the battles they fought, the barriers they overcame and the opportunities they opened up for those who came after.
CTSI says: “While Black British pioneers in other fields and professions are finally having the spotlight shone on them and their stories are now being told, we want to know about the trailblazers in our own profession. For example, who were the UK’s very first male and female Black, Asian or mixed-race TSOs or W&MIs? We want to know who they were and learn about their lives, their struggles and their experience of this profession.
“If you have any information you think could help us find them, please let us know.”
