Mimi Kourouma tells us more about Black History Month
To celebrate Black History Month, we have been sharing staff stories on what Black History Month means to them.
This week, we had a chat with Mimi Kourouma, Project Support Officer to find out more about what Black History Month means to her, her favourite Black Hero, and the changes she would like to see at CLCH.
Mimi is a first generation Black British African, who works in our Outer North West improvement & transformation division as a Project Support Officer. Part of her role includes providing primary support with transformation projects under the CLCH programmes within the Outer North West division and the in wider PMO and improvement & transformation.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
It’s a time to acknowledge, celebrate and reflect on the influential Black men and women who have forged a path in their respective fields and industries.
It’s a pivotal opportunity to spotlight the achievements and contributions made by the unforgettable figures who are gone but forever remembered, and those who are still here and surmounting obstacles, smashing glass ceilings, and achieving well-deserved success.
This month serves as a reminder to all Black men, women, and children to embrace the culture we were born and raised in, and to strive to contribute to its continued growth and celebration for the generations to come.
Black History Month is an opportunity to learn, experience and be a part of the black culture and to broadly understand how its influences has shaped our history, reality and most importantly our future.
Who is your favourite Black hero and why?
My favourite Black hero is widely known and recognised as one of the most influential sportswoman of the modern era, Serena Williams.
To date she has the most major singles, doubles, mixed doubles titles combined of all active tennis players. She embodies a bold and majestic woman who broke records, shattered glass ceilings, and broke down doors to perform on all the biggest world stages. She has graced and become who she is today and all she achieved - a true legend.
She is a living breathing reminder, that no goal is too big, and no ceiling is to tall any Black woman, man or child who is brave enough to boldly dream of doing something, can do everything it takes to live their dream and more. To me she is undeniably a Black hero.
The theme this year is ‘Time for Change: Action not Words’ what change would you like to see in CLCH this year?
I would like to see CLCH demonstrate an increased proactive approach to hosting BAME events virtually and in-person. I would like to see Black History Month celebrated more widely in the Trust to gain the acknowledgement it truly deserves.
I hope as a Trust, we can do better to change this, so that events which are important to staff are not ‘flying under the radar’ so to speak.
