Celebrating Black History Month: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion at Abri
At Abri, we see Black History Month as more than just a celebration, it’s an opportunity to honour the significant contributions of Black individuals, both in our communities and across our organisation. It’s a time to reflect on history, celebrate achievements, and most importantly – recognise that fostering true inclusion is not a one-month effort. For us it’s a year-round commitment.
Creating a welcoming environment for all
At the heart of our work is the belief that diversity and inclusion go far beyond policies or initiatives. It's about creating a space where every customer feels safe and valued in their community, and where every colleague can bring their whole, authentic self to work. By creating an environment rooted in understanding, empathy, and support, we empower not just our colleagues, but the wider community we serve too.
Driving equality, diversity, and inclusion at Abri
We’ve taken meaningful steps to make our workplace more inclusive and to address race equality head-on. Our "Let’s Talk About Race" sessions are a platform for open, honest discussions, breaking down barriers and promoting understanding throughout the organisation. Similarly, our "Get Curious About Microaggressions" initiative helps raise awareness of the subtle yet impactful actions that can affect race equality, fostering a more respectful and inclusive environment for both our colleagues and customers.
Sometimes small changes can make a big difference. For example, after a colleague made the suggestion, we introduced plasters in a range of skin tones at our workplaces. This may seem like a minor adjustment, but it’s attention to these small details that matters when it comes to reinforcing a sense of belonging and helping everyone feel more represented and included.
Our "Human Library" project, where colleagues share personal stories about how race has shaped their lives, has played a meaningful role in creating a safe space for open and honest conversations, deepening connections and empathy across the organisation. This initiative not only strengthens our internal culture, but encourages us to be even more conscious of our interactions out in the communities we serve – making sure that we approach all of our customers with greater understanding, respect and sensitivity.
We also conduct regular Equality Impact Assessments to make sure our policies and projects are fair and inclusive, actively working to eliminate any potential negative impacts on individuals based on race or other protected characteristics.
Our commitment to a more inclusive future
As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to making Abri a place where everyone feels included and respected – both inside the workplace and out in our communities. We’ll continue to listen, learn and engage in meaningful conversations with our customers and colleagues to drive lasting change. This includes maintaining our zero-tolerance stance against hate crimes and prejudice. With our partners, we’re committed to supporting any customer or member of their family, as well as any of our colleagues, who experience such incidents, taking robust action against perpetrators, and making sure that all reports are treated with empathy, consistency and fairness.
Black History Month is just one chapter in our broader journey towards building a lasting culture of inclusion. By raising awareness and encouraging open conversations, we’re building a more inclusive Abri for today and the future.