Spotlight on Black British and US figures and our very own GC colleagues
Diane Modahl MBE
This week we’re focusing on Manchester (Longsight-born) Diane Modahl.
Diane’s a great example of not just talking about what needs to happen, but taking action towards greater equality. Diane takes action that helps numerous peoples and communities across the North West and the UK. As a Black British woman, an athlete, and a proud Mancunian, Diane uses her experiences to enact important positive change.
Born in 1966, Diane grew up in South Manchester and trained at Sale Harriers from the age of 11. She showed great athletic prowess - she won the 1984 English Schools 800 metres title in 2:05.7 and emerged as one of Britain's top 800m runners after winning the AAA Championships title in 1986 aged 20. As one of Britain’s most accomplished middle-distance runners, she held the English, British and Commonwealth records for both 800m and 600m. Diane represented Britain in an impressive four Olympic Games from 1988 to 2000 and was unbeaten for six consecutive seasons by any other British athlete over her specialist distance of 800m.
After retiring from athletics, in 2010 she established the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation (DMSF), which champions young people from disadvantaged areas across the North West, enabling them to make the most of themselves in sport, education and employability.
Since retiring from athletics and creating the DMSF, she’s also dedicated herself to a number of great causes; Lay Adviser to the Central Manchester Clinical Commissioning Group 2014 – 2015; Non-Executive Director Primary Care Trust (PCT) NHS Manchester 2011-2014 and was previously the Chief Ambassador for the National Charity ‘Street Games’. Diane’s also an author, having published The Diane Modahl Story in 1995.
Diane’s amazing work in Manchester as part of the DMSF:
- The DMSF has helped 89% of North West young people from being excluded from school. Each exclusion carries a cost of £370,000. This has provided a saving of £11,840,000 to the public purse
- The DMSF has also up-skilled 32 14-25 year olds (2021) with qualifications and supported 4 young adults into full-time employment
- The DMSF have reduced anti-social behaviour in Collyhurst Manchester by 43% on nights where the DMSF deliver youth provision. On Friday evenings alone the DMSF engaged 130 Young People in sport and activity, meaning they are off the streets, safe and happy
Key Links on Diane:
GC colleague: Samira Jama
What’s your role at GC? Project Co-ordinator – Restart.
What was your background before joining us? I worked as a Beauty Representative, and strategies for a couple of international brands - for example, Morphe, Quay, Jacqueline Hill and Lisa Eldridge. Before this, I was as an early year’s teacher for close to 4 years.
What does Black History Month mean to you? My early memory of Black History Month includes my older siblings and my parents having a discussion over the dinner table. I was extremely fascinated and I felt the passion and commitment to the cause. I believe Black History Month is a platform for our voices to be heard. It’s a place where we can begin to learn our value to both our community and others. This allows an open conversation with others who may not be aware of the history. Black History Month is a spark for learning, self-discovery, and international recognition. Black History month is a reminder that we are not new, and that we are all, people of importance.
The theme this year is ‘Actions not Words’, which Black figure do you think encapsulates this and why? I do believe US Black figures are more widely discussed in the UK, and rightly so, however I would like to shed more light on Claudia Jones who’s based in the UK.
Recently, major celebrations occurred at the Notting Hill Carnival. Claudia is one of the founding members the carnival in London, its origins stemming from the traditions of the Caribbean and the social and political conditions of the post-1948 migration of peoples. Although these people were coming from colonies of the British Empire, there was less than a warm welcome in the UK. The tension between the white British community and the West Indian community came to a head during the 1958 Notting Hill race riots.
After the scenes of violence had calmed down, the West Indies residents wanted a way to celebrate their culture and remind them of home. Claudia Jones was born in Trinidad in 1915, but moved to the United States as a child. A prominent feminist and communist, Jones was deported for her political activities in 1955. She gained asylum in the UK, where she launched Britain's first major black newspaper, the West Indian Gazette.
Confronted by ‘No blacks, no dogs, no Irish’ posters, Jones became a leader in the emerging black equal rights movement. In 1959, she helped to found Notting Hill Carnival, with the hopes that showcasing Caribbean culture and heritage would empower her community. Jones died aged 49, leaving quite a legacy - Notting Hill Carnival is currently Europe's biggest street festival.
Who’s a source of inspiration to you during BHM?
My current and recent inspiration is Former shadow home secretary Dianne Abbott. After graduating from the University of Cambridge, Abbott worked as a civil servant, a reporter, and a Labour party press officer. In 1987, Abbott decided to run as Labour's candidate and has certainly made massive strides in the bid for equality. She made history as the first black woman to be elected to Parliament, and she’s currently the longest-serving black MP in the House of Commons.
She’s always been a trailblazer, dedicating her career to tackling deep rooted injustices and giving voices to those who would usually stay unheard. She continues to use her voice to make changes to the systematic racism embedded within the United Kingdom. Despite all the setbacks she’s faced, she has never given up. And for these reasons, she is an inspiration to me and many other people.
GC colleague: El Ezekiel
What’s your role at GC? My role at GC is a Key Worker with the Trafford and Wythenshawe team.
What was your background before joining us? Prior to joining the growth company, I’ve been a football coach, peer mentor, project manager and a tutor delivering employability sessions specifically to customers with disabilities and health conditions to move them closer to the labour market.
What does Black History Month mean to you? A celebration.
Who’s a source of inspiration to you during BHM?
Any and all black people worldwide who strive to create and forge a path for themselves taking their own destinies in their hands.