Celebrating Black History Month

It’s Black History Month (1 October – 31 October), which has taken place each October since 1987 to commemorate the history, achievements, and contributions of Black people in the UK and to promote awareness of their role in shaping our society.

For our Black History Month celebrations, we spoke to Gerald Arhin, one of the newest members of our Customer Committee. The Salix Homes Customer Committee is a group of our customers with delegated powers on behalf of the Salix Homes Board.

We sat down with Gerald to find out more about his Ghanaian heritage, the challenges of navigating two cultures and what he thinks is the best thing about living in Salford.

Please tell us a little about yourself and your family heritage?

I am Gerald Arhin, born and raised in Ghana. My father is Fante (from the Akan group) and my mother is Ewe, both rooted deeply in Ghanaian culture. I have lived in the UK for over six years now. Following my MPhil at the University of Cambridge and PhD at the University of Manchester, I currently work as a Research Fellow at University College London, where I investigate the politics and justice dimensions of the global energy transition agenda.

How has your cultural identity influenced your life journey?

Coming from not only a marginalised culture but also a humble background, I have always understood that I needed to work twice, perhaps three times, as hard as others to achieve comparable success. This realisation became even more pronounced when I arrived in the UK.

Navigating life between two cultures has required me to learn and unlearn certain traits to integrate meaningfully into British society, spanning everything from social interactions to academic conventions.

Yet this journey has been enriched by remarkable people I’ve met along the way – individuals like my guide runner Brenda and her partner – who have made my integration and stay genuinely worthwhile and fulfilling.

I moved to Manchester during the pandemic and as a blind student, I wanted to find a way to safely take up running. I found Brenda online and she introduced me to running. Thanks to her, I have progressed from having zero experience to being able to run for 21km.

What are some of your favourite Ghanaian traditions?

Among my favourite Ghanaian traditions are the various traditional dances and their rich modes of communication. Dances such as Kete, Agbadza, and Kpalogo are woven into festivals and celebrations, serving as vital threads that bind our communities together and preserve our collective heritage across generations.

What’s your favourite traditional dish? 

Without hesitation, Jollof rice! Our Nigerian siblings have long tried to claim ownership, but I think the debate has been decisively settled now!

What does Black History Month mean to you?

For me, Black History Month is an opportunity to reflect on three crucial questions: where we have come from, where we are now, and where we are heading. This reflection reminds us that at the heart of our historical marginalisation has been division – allowing our communities to be fragmented and subdued. It should inspire all Black people to reject parochialism wherever we find ourselves, and to recognise that our actions and inactions today will continue to shape the lived experiences of Black generations yet unborn.

Can you share a contribution or individual, past or present, from Black History that has inspired you?

There are countless Black individuals whose achievements merit recognition. However, I want to highlight a contemporary trailblazer and fellow Salford resident: Kwame Asamoah Kwarteng.

Despite his youth, Kwame is doing extraordinary work challenging the status quo and breaking down barriers in truly remarkable ways.

He became the first Black President of the University of Manchester Students’ Union in 2018, serving for two consecutive terms. His contributions have been so significant that he has been recognised as one of 200 personalities who have shaped the University’s progress over its history.

Kwame has spearheaded several ground-breaking initiatives aimed at empowering vulnerable communities and amplifying diverse voices, regardless of background or position.

One such initiative is PolicyCon, a platform designed to democratise participation in policymaking and dismantle the gatekeeping practices that often silence marginalised voices. (You can learn more about them here.)

For me, Black History Month should be precisely this: a platform to celebrate such brilliant young minds and to inspire the next generation of changemakers.

How long have you lived in Salford?

I have lived in Salford for 13 months.

What’s the best thing about living in Salford?

I truly appreciate Salford’s diversity and vibrant community spirit. I’m also rather fond of the Saturday Park Run at Peel Park, they’ve become a cherished part of my routine.

You can find out more about the Salix Homes Customer Committee on our website.