Black Leaders CIC: Our Story

2020 saw the world’s eyes open to the injustices that Black people face; on the streets, in our jobs, and even when in our own home. In addition, the effects of COVID-19 have provided shocking insights on the degree of health and social care inequalities faced by both Black healthcare patients and Black professionals.

For generations there has been an over representation of Black individuals choosing to work within the health and social care sector. Yet to this day, the narrative of those same essential workers having to overcome unnecessary barriers to career progression and development remains, as a direct or indirect result of their race. 

The 2019-2020 inclusion data from the Nursing and Midwifery Council shows that Black nurses made up 15.3% of new fitness to practice referrals, despite Black nurses making up just 8.5% of the total register. 

Of those concerns raised, 62% of investigations against Black nurses resulted in no case to answer.

Black professionals have been a marginalised and disadvantaged group within the workplace; due to factors such as institutional discrimination, unconscious bias, and racial economic inequalities. We aim to use mentoring to disrupt ‘business as usual’ where Black professionals are overrepresented in low pay - low skill roles and underrepresented in senior management roles. The outcome would be to develop more Black Leaders.

Utilising social media platforms, one of our co-founders reached out to the Black community for guidance around career progression within the healthcare sector. A wave of people offering advice and mentoring soon led to the demand for a safe space for Black professionals to learn and grow through sharing lived experiences.

Black Leaders in Healthcare is a community of over 300 nurses, doctors, Allied Health Professionals, programme managers and so much more. Our members represent all specialties from Mental Health to Cardiothoracic Surgeons working in both private and public settings across the U.K.

We are passionate about building a community of Black Leaders and investing in change for future generations to come.

Black Leaders do not promote or condone acts of racism, diminishing remarks, derogatory terms or the generalisation of any ethnic group, race or religion. We do not provide clinical or medical training. Although we are founded by Black Healthcare professionals we are an inclusive Community. All ethnicities and professions are welcome to join and experience growth through shared learning.