CIHT and our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Panel fully support Black History Month. This year’s theme is ‘Time for Change: Action not Words’ and I’d like to reflect on what this means for CIHT and for the wider transport sector.

Black History Month has been celebrated for more than 30 years and it acknowledges pivotal moments in history celebrating cultural diversity and the real value that genuine equality, diversity and inclusion can generate. It is a good opportunity for us all to reflect and identify and take meaningful actions to effect change. It is a time when we may need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and turn conversations and statements about solidarity and commitment to real progress and action.

We can all advocate for and drive meaningful change in all that we do. This can include (but not exclusively):

• improving our awareness of our biases
• learning how to challenge bias and incivility
• learning about antiracism and how vital it is to overcome the adverse impact that racism is having on our society
• being genuine allies in practice
• how we improve the experiences of peers, members and colleagues
• by demonstrating real integrity in the way that we recruit, promote, and encourage the future talent pipeline.

CIHT already understand and regularly promote the benefits to genuine equality, diversity and inclusion. We need a workforce that is thriving, inclusive and representative of the communities we serve. We want to promote diverse talent recruitment and retention that will harness incredible diversity of thought and innovation – along with inevitable wider benefits to all members and professionals who identify from different minority ethnicities. Systemic change is vital and it’s time to act now.

CIHT are working hard to drive forward equality, diversity and inclusion. Members and wider sector professionals, along with individuals considering a career in transportation all need to be effective allies who take meaningful actions all year round for the benefit of society as a whole.

DISCLAIMER (Please note that the above content is based on personal perspectives of the author only).

To find out more about how to become an effective ally, read:

WANTED: Effective Allies Who Take Meaningful Actions - Black History Month 2022

See what we’ve been up to this month along with how you can get involved:

Listen to our Black History Walks podcast.

Upskill via CIHT Learn.

Sign our EDI Charter.

Our EDI STD 5-yr Strategy sets out our commitment to diversity and inclusion in more detail.