Black History Month 2025 blog - Trisha Teixeira
The theme for this year’s Black History Month is ‘Standing firm in power and pride’. CONTACT coordinator, Trisha Teixeira, shares her journey and what this year’s theme means to her.
Power and pride are more than themes for a fleeting moment or a single year—they are the pillars on which we build our lives, our families, and our communities. This year, as we celebrate the Black History Month 2025 theme of "Standing firm in power and pride," I’ve reflected on the tapestry of my own journey—a story woven through generations, rooted in Ravenscourt Park, shaped by decades of dedication in childcare, and coloured by the vibrant threads of multicultural advocacy.
In reflecting on these guiding principles, I am struck by how each experience threads itself into the larger tapestry of who we become. The lessons passed down from elders, the friendships forged in service, and the challenges embraced along the way, collectively shape our understanding of what it means to stand unwavering in our convictions. Every day offers a chance to reaffirm our commitments, and the values inherited from those who paved the way, reminding us that our journey is both individual and collective, evolving with each generation.
My journey began at the old Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital (QCCH) in Ravenscourt Park—a cherished setting that anchors my sense of belonging and family history. Ravenscourt Park holds a special place in my heart, not only as the site of my birth but also as the birthplace of my eldest daughter. The legacy continued at the current QCCH in Du Cane Road where my second daughter and granddaughters were born. The walls of QCCH have witnessed our joys, our beginnings, and our transitions, standing as silent witnesses to our family’s unfolding story. There is comfort in knowing our roots are interlinked with this place—a sanctuary that has nurtured us from the first breath.
My career began in Tickletum Day Nursery as a nursery nurse. As my experience grew, I became the nursery manager, and later, the childcare coordinator. The nursery was more than a workplace—it was a second home, a space where I witnessed countless milestones, fostered lifelong friendships, and cultivated the values of empathy and leadership. It became the springboard to one of my proudest accomplishments: helping to set up Charing Cross Day Nursery. We navigated obstacles and celebrated triumphs laying the foundations of a centre that still stands today, providing safe, nurturing environments for children and support for working families. To know my efforts contributed to something enduring that benefits the community decades later is a source of genuine pride.
My journey is not only defined by personal milestones but also by my commitment to collective progress. I am proud to have been involved with the Multidisciplinary Race Equality Network since its inception. The network has enabled me to build bridges between different professionals, sharing innovative ideas and best practice. I am privileged to serve as an events lead, where I help coordinate gatherings that celebrate our diversity. Equally, my role as a Race Equality Ambassador also resonates deeply because it is not merely a title, but a calling that connects me to my heritage and my family’s legacy of leadership. I am continuing the work of my aunt who once served as chair for Black, Asian and minority ethnic colleagues at Ealing Hospital, advocating for representation and empowerment in our organisation.
In 2017, Tickletum Day Nursery closed its doors, a bittersweet moment that marked the end of an era. While it was hard to say goodbye to a place so rich in memories, this opened a new chapter for me when I was redeployed to the Leadership Team as coordinator for learning programs. I discovered my skills were more versatile than I had imagined. The Covid-19 pandemic also brought upheavals, challenging us all to rethink our roles and responsibilities. I was redeployed to the CONTACT team, where I coordinated staff counselling services. In this new role, I provided guidance, compassion, and stability for staff navigating stress and uncertainty.
Looking back on my journey, the theme of "Standing firm in power and pride" echoes through every stage of my life. It is present in the multi-generational ties to Ravenscourt Park and QCCH, in the creation and stewardship of nurturing spaces for children, in the collaborative spirit of the Multidisciplinary Race Equality Network, and in the passionate advocacy for diversity and inclusion. Together, power and pride have enabled me to weather storms, to seize opportunities, and to carve out a legacy that I hope will inspire my daughters, granddaughters, and all those who cross my path.
Trisha"This year’s theme is a celebration—an affirmation of all that we have endured and achieved."
This year’s theme is a celebration—an affirmation of all that we have endured and achieved. It is a call to honour our histories, to stand tall in our convictions, and to continue forging paths for those who follow. Whether in a nursery, a hospital, or a leadership team, standing firm in power and pride means living authentically, serving with compassion, and championing justice and equity in every sphere of life.
