lululemon's Karina Collymore on celebrating Black History

My name is Karina Collymore. I work in the People & Culture team at lululemon, I am an HR generalist and my role centres around fostering an environment where people are at the core of our business. I believe our greatest strength lies in the creativity and skill of our people, without them there would be no company; they are our biggest asset. Grounded in my values of inclusion I strive to always bring a variety of perspectives and experiences to the table.

Were you taught about Black history in school? If not – what difference would this have made to you?

I was not taught Black history at school a lot of my learning was done after I had finished my formal education, Black history is not taught consistently in England. The lack of Black history being taught impacted not only how we were perceived but how we perceive ourselves especially as our contributions to society felt invisible when I was growing up. If Black history had been integrated into my curriculum, I would have been more engaged with the subject in school as I would have seen our stories, resilience and achievements reflected in my schooling. Having a more inclusive curriculum would have allowed all students to understand how our stories are interconnected and having a stronger sense of belonging. 

What does Black History Month mean to you and why do you find it important? 

It is a time that Black British activists have a platform to be recognised and can shine a light on communities and narratives that can often be marginalised. This month provides many more opportunities for people to access spaces to find community, joy and celebration. All these things encourage cultural connection and pride, and this is essential to encourage future generations to engage with their history. Race riots happened this summer and it is especially important for more safe spaces to be created for people to find support and share their experiences. 

What suggestions do you have for organizations to mark Black History Month? 

1. It would be great to reference the history specific to the country / region a company is based in. Whilst there should always be recognition for the prevalent American leaders in race relations, for organisations based outside of North America there should also be content dedicated to local stories, contributions and activism. 

2. Include an inspirational and uplifting activity. At times the default can be concentrating on activity that requires Black people to talk about trauma, as a way of inviting an audience to learn about different lived experiences. If this is the only/main activity be aware that this can be triggering for people with similar experiences in the audience. Leaning into fun is important along with learning about history.

3. Use the whole month to educate and celebrate!

Why is it important that this month includes Black LGBTQ+ people from across history? 

Including Black LGBTQ+ people is important so that intersectionality continues to be considered, and it is key in bringing marginalised voices to the centre. As people navigate multiple layers of oppression, including racism, homophobia, and transphobia, their marginalization can be compounded in many spaces. I want Black History month to always be an inclusive space for all people, so that systemic issues can be understood for everyone as a collective.