My WISH for Black History Month

My WISH for Black History Month

By Debra Constance

October marks Black History Month, the annual commemoration of the history, achievements and contributions of black people in the UK.  It’s a month to celebrate African and Caribbean cultures and histories and for me it also provides time for reflection on my own WISH history. 

For much of my career I was often the ‘only’  woman in a male environment in addition I was also often ‘black in a white space’ (a term coined by author Elijah Anderson) so finding other women whether black or white was not just important but essential. 

Nicola was one of a select number of women I met in a culturally male networking circuit of meetings and conferences and we knew each other a number of years. Our friendship went to the next level when we had the opportunity to work together as colleagues in the same team.  Nicola shared with me her concept for ‘Women in Social Housing - WISH’ a simple yet effective idea to create a space where all women within the sector could meet and network through camaraderie, learning and support each other.

WISH was born and over the years we have worked to make this dream a sustainable reality with an ever increasing number of incredible women up and down the country who share the same dream.  Along the journey I have been richly rewarded especially when I hear how WISH has helped individuals in so many ways.  The one jewel it has offered me is that no matter where I work, I can be sure I am no longer ‘the only’ as I always find support, advice and friendship from my WISH family.   

Whilst I am now less likely to be the only ‘black’ or ‘woman’ in the room, it does still happen and this saddens me that after so much time there is still lots of work to do.  At WISH we are on our own ethnic diversity journey and we are committed to improve this, not just for ourselves as an organisation but also across the sector. Some work done, but without doubt there is more to do!

I am retiring soon from the Chair of WISH (more details shortly…) and my wish as I retire is for whoever follows me to take up this mantle, to champion not just the needs of women but also diversity across the housing sector and to ensure we, at WISH, show leadership in this cause.

WISH Founders - Debra Constance and Nicola Dibb