Celebrating November Highlights!

November is one of my favourite months of the year. No, it’s certainly not the weather or the dark evenings; neither is it Guy Fawkes or Halloween. it’s because of the more meaningful dates of November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the 16 Days of Activism.

Celebrating November Highlights!

Both are so dear to my heart that I hold my annual awards ceremony, The Baton Awards: Celebrating women from a diverse racial group from the Past, Present and Future, at this time of year.

This year, the theme of the 16 Days is “Investing to prevent violence against women and girls”, focusing on the importance of investing in different prevention strategies to stop violence from its beginning.

Of course, this month’s Black Wall St Media edition was filled with a wide array of global diaspora headlines and highlights, but in honour of the 16 days of activism, I’d like to shine a light on the many pieces we featured in November that paid tribute to the impact black women are making throughout the diaspora.

Dr. Thakgalo Thibela: A Journey from Village Roots to Pinnacle of Medical Excellence

I loved reading about the remarkable story of Dr. Thakgalo Thibela. Born In a village in the scenic town of Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga province, South Africa, this article unfolds Thakgalo’s journey from a village girl to South Africa’s youngest female Medical Doctor at the age of 21. ‘Her narrative is one of tenacity, academic brilliance, and an unyielding dream that propelled her to achieve greatness against all odds.’ Exactly what I love to celebrate.

A recent report by WISE stated that women occupy just 16% of tech roles. However, the divides in STEM do not just link to gender. Black, Asian and minority ethnic people, and in particular black and ethnic minority women, are vastly underrepresented in STEM fields across both education and the workforce. So, STEM is an award category I always include in The Baton Awards.

This month Black Wall St Media introduced Sarah Bond, the newly appointed President of Xbox, making history as the first Black woman to hold this prestigious role.

Her journey, achievements, and vision for Xbox made for an inspiring read.

Africa’s youngest female Commercial Pilot

Another featured trailblazer this month was Africa’s youngest female Commercial Pilot, currently a Captain on a Cessna Caravan with ProCharter Zambia, Kizzmekia Corbett: who is a Trailblazer in Science and Equity. She is a viral immunologist whose groundbreaking work was pivotal in the rapid development of a Covid-19 vaccine. Born and raised in North Carolina, Dr.Corbett’s journey is a testament to resilience, brilliance, and an unwavering commitment to breaking barriers.

Of course, as much as I love celebrating the newest generation of pioneers, we must never forget whose shoulders we stand upon. Anna Julia Haywood Cooper (1858-1964): A Legacy of Education, Activism, and Empowerment was a great read as the article took us on a journey through history.

Perceived Racism and Stroke Risk in Black Women

Of course, at Black Wall St Media we don’t shy away from the realities, and it was tough to read about the impact that racism is having on black women’s health. A new study has revealed a disturbing connection between lived experiences of racism and the heightened risk of strokes among Black women.

This article ‘navigates the nuanced landscape of health disparities’ as this study sparks a crucial conversation about the broader implications of systemic racism on the lives of black women.

This article, to me, is just more incentive to make sure black women are heard and to continue to work to shine a light on intersectionality.

As someone who works closely with social workers wearing some of my other hats as a foster carer and child psychologist, I was thoroughly engaged and concerned by an article titled ‘Discrimination Driving Ethnic Minority Social Workers Away from Permanent Jobs’.

Recent research carried out by the sector-led children’s services improvement bodies for London and South East, has shown that racism and discrimination are key factors that are driving Black and minority ethnic minority social workers out of permanent local authority posts into agency work.

A disconcerting revelation from the study, dubbed ‘the Big Listen survey’, reveals that a significant proportion of minoritised social workers felt they were forced to leave their council posts due to “poor experiences, lack of support and economic necessity.

” Every time we think we’ve heard it all when it comes to black people feeling isolated, unable to access, or pushed out, another arena is exposed. It’s so important that we have a sea at every table. And it’s even more important that we work to own the tables so that we aren’t pushed out. As I reflect on the special evening we had last night, I’m filled with the overwhelming feeling of my sister’s ‘doin’ it for themselves!’

The hundreds of nominations in every area of industry leave me blown away and humbled every year without fail).

It’s hard to believe the next time I sit down to write my monthly editor’s letter, 2024 will almost be upon us!

I look forward to seeing what the final few weeks of the year bring us at Black Wall St Media as we continue to shift the narrative.