Black History Month: what have we learnt?

This year, Black History Month has arguably held more significance than ever.

George Floyd's death in May sparked well-documented Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the world.

Two weeks later, a BLM protest in Bristol led to the statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston being torn-down and thrown into the harbour.

So over the past four weeks, we wanted to hear about the experiences of black residents living and working in Wiltshire.

'If you're exposed to something, you learn it's a part of your society'

Sam Pearce-Kearney promotes diversity in several roles across our region.

As well as being a Calne Town Councillor and Deputy Chair of Wiltshire Police's BAME Independent Advisory Group, he teaches schoolchildren as part of the West Wiltshire Multi-Faith Forum:

Great Western Hospital's BAME Network Chair, Alicia Messiah told us more work is needed to stamp-out racism in her workplace:

In response, the Hospital has told us it "will make positive changes" and learn from the experience.

Wiltshire's Ethnic Police Association is run by Detective Superintendent Megan Kenzie:

Sam Allison is the Watch Manager at Trowbridge Fire Station and a Level One Football League referee:

After challenging his Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service bosses about the lack of black employees, Sam was appointed into an Equality and Diversity role.

The highlights of all our interviews can be heard below:

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