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Discrimination or inspiration? Why one Black British Business Award winner changed his views on race-based competitions

Reactions ranged from vociferous support to claims that anything defining us in terms of colour is outdated and discriminatory - plus, sadly, the inevitable outright racism.

But the inaugural Black British Business Awards (BBBA), however, certainly succeeded in its stated aim of uncovering role models and celebrating the best black British talent working in UK industry.

Positive discrimination on the grounds of race or gender has always been a hot potato but one BBBA winner said the experience has transformed his views on the subject.

RWE npower graduate scheme participant Jim Lenga-Kroma was named ‘rising star’ in the infrastructure and manufacturing section of the awards - but he was initially dubious about entering at all.

‘These awards have been the catalyst for a real personal journey for me,’ he says, ‘In the past I didn’t like talking about diversity, didn’t want to be pigeonholed and didn’t like the focus that it put on me. However, I’ve gone from being extremely closed off to completely changing my mind during the process.’

When Jim was recommended for the award by senior team member Adam Templeman, he responded by discussing it with friends and colleagues.

‘Initially, I wasn’t sure if it was the sort of attention I wanted to seek but I found the response was overwhelmingly positive, so started to reconsider.

‘I began putting together my achievements for my awards entry and found that my opinion on promoting diversity had completely changed. I decided that it was important for me to act as an ambassador – it was something I already did in my personal life with a number of younger cousins who look up to me, and I realised that it’s not just about me but using my position to empower others.’

When Jim was shortlisted and invited to the awards ceremony, he saw it as an opportunity to network with the influential people taking part and learn from their experience - an attitude that has characterised his time at RWE npower.

‘I started on the graduate scheme in September 2013 and it has been brilliant for me, both personally and professionally,’ explains Jim, ‘When I started I felt quite out of my depth when comparing myself with my fellow graduates but since then I’ve been so pleased with how I’ve grown in terms of my skillset and behaviour and I’m proud to have one of the most consistently high ratings.

‘I’ve been encouraged to come out of my shell and have grown as an individual. The graduate development team in particular have been amazing; they are always happy to help and the programme they’ve put in place works perfectly.

‘I’m a year into the scheme now and recently started my third placement managing a sales team, which is completely different to my previous placements in the HR team. It’s certainly a challenge, as I’m managing a team of people who have a lot more experience in this area than me but I’m excited to see what the future will hold!’

Jim’s win meant he shared a stage with impressive company, including Action Aid UK chairman Margaret Casely-Hayford, who was named black British business person of the year. Inspirational for both him and his young cousins, we hope.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jacey Lamerton .