What Diversity Means to Me

London is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world

Diversity is about empowering people by respecting and appreciating what makes them different. Whether it be age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, education or national origin, the vast diversity in London is one of the reasons I love working here.

As I park my car every morning ready to open my shop doors in Balham, like clockwork, I see the same group of parents on the school run with their eager children in tow and the diversity is a beautiful thing to see. In the three years that I have been managing the Douglas & Gordon Balham office, I have seen those children and parents smile back at me and wave as they scurry past. My hope and prayer is that the young children will see and acknowledge my differences and, in turn, acknowledge their own differences and realise that in the workplace or in any walk of life, what makes them different makes them unique and should never, ever hold them back.

 

Diversity is more than ticking a box

As a black man with three young black children, diversity is something I hold dear to my heart – it is about my children growing up in a world that they are able to see people that look like them, as well as those from many other backgrounds, smashing it, being successful and holding these important roles in society and in their community. It is about them seeing women in positions of power, able to influence change or people of colour in board rooms using their platform to instigate positive change. It gives them something to aspire to and is a source of huge inspiration!

 

“We will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Martin Luther King said it all in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Diversity is about representation, but it is also about an inclusive society where it is a person’s personality and talents, whatever they may be, that create the opportunity in whichever field they choose.

Diversity is about empowering and lifting up those voices that may be underrepresented and the benefits are huge. In business, diversity breeds different ideas and different approaches on how to become successful and creates a varied and inclusive business culture. As Estate Agents, the market we work in day in, day out is diverse, our client base is diverse, and we know it is important to reflect that. It’s vital that these conversations are being had, especially in the workplace.

On a personal level, I am glad we are taking steps in the right direction to create a better world for my three young children to grow up in. The world we live in can be a tough place but bit by bit, brick by brick and little by little I do believe that we are creating a more equal and inclusive society for everyone. We have come a long way and there is so much more that we can do!