Reclaiming Narratives: "I carry a strong sense of pride"

For Black History Month, we’ve been asking our colleagues to tell us what the theme Reclaiming Narratives means to them.

This year the theme centres around correcting historical inaccuracies and challenging the narratives that have often overlooked the contributions and achievements of Black individuals both in the UK and globally.

Here’s Dr Sarah Taha, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist.

"I carry a strong sense of pride"

In your own words, who are you?

I am a British woman of mixed heritage, Ethiopian and Greek, born in Great Yarmouth but raised primarily in London. My identity is deeply rooted in my parents’ migration stories and the rich cultures they brought with them to the UK in the 1960s. I carry a strong sense of pride in our Ethiopian and Greek heritage, particularly in our deep histories, cultural richness, and resilience. Now, married to a Kenyan-British man, I see the complexities of belonging even more as my children navigate their cultural paths, caught between multiple identities and histories.

What does the theme ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ mean to you?

"Reclaiming Narratives" is about taking control of how we tell our stories—our cultures, histories, and contributions, celebrating the beauty, resilience, and richness of our heritage. For me, it is also about raising my children to be proud of their complex identities, with stories that reflect their full heritage.

Name one of your favourite Black heroes and why they're a favourite.

One of my favourite books is Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. It played a key role in reshaping African storytelling. Prof. R. Victoria Arana called the novel "transformational," as it helped in the "re-storying of people who had been knocked silent." Achebe’s work brought African voices to the forefront, challenging colonial perspectives of African history.

What's one way that we reclaim our narrative? OR share a story about Black history and culture with us.

Recently, at a team-building event, we took an Ethiopian cooking class in a café in Shepherd’s Bush Market. Together, we made dishes like injera, doro wat, and misir wat, learning about Ethiopian culture and connecting through food. Ethiopian cuisine is about togetherness, as meals are served on a communal plate. Sharing this experience with colleagues made me proud, showing how food can unite us and keep cultural stories alive.

Stay tuned as we continue to share from our colleagues for Black History Month.