To celebrate Black History Month during October, and in keeping with this year’s theme, ‘Saluting our Sisters’ we wanted to shine our spotlight on a truly inspirational woman, Elaine Hughes.
Tell us a little more about yourself and what you do.
I am a Disability Inclusion Consultant for Luxury Brands and Hospitality. Prior to that, I worked for the DWP as a benefits adviser and after taking medical retirement at the age of 32 due to my disability, I started my own craft shop celebrating disabled Artisan and Handmade business owners. I held various workshops including Cake Making and often worked with lots of event companies and hotels advising them on accessibility. I now am a full-time consultant helping businesses become more accessible using my lived experience using audits and interactive theatre-based techniques to teach about DEIB and how inclusiveness is profitable.
What does Black History Month mean to you and how will you be celebrating/marking it?
Black History Month means to me black excellence and a chance to celebrate all those who have come before us. Growing up as a child in the 80’s UK my parents ensured that I knew my history and that despite what the narrative was at the time, I knew that black people were Kings, Queens, Innovators, Campaigners and Great people. It’s good to see that more are exposed to it and our children can learn about our rich and diverse history.
You’re a guest on a special IoH in Conversation ‘Black History Month, celebrating sisters’ tomorrow. What can we expect from the conversation?
What do you think the hospitality sector can do to be more inclusive and accessible
Who has been a role model to you during your career?
For me my role model is and always will be my Mom, watching an illiterate black woman, who had so many obstacles against her, fight to move me from a special needs school to a mainstream school and by doing so, defying the odds. That to me gave me the fire to keep going no matter what. To keep on moving forward… Many times I wanted to give up, but reminded myself that I was blessed to have someone who fought for me.
What’s the most Wonderful, the Worst and the downright Weirdest thing to happen to you during your career.