Get to know more about Jackie and the challenges she has faced as a black woman.
Next up, we open the doors into the life of our Carriage Cleaner Supervisor, Jackie. Jackie has been on many of our internal inclusion webinars before and is the life and soul of the party.
Jackie is a great member of our internal network group, EMBRACE (Everyone Meaningfully Broadening Racial Awareness and Cultural Exchange) and has also been involved in creating our brand-new inclusion video!
Without further ado, let’s meet Jackie!
Tell us a little bit about yourself
Hello, my name is Jacqueline Hunt and I am from the sunny Caribbean island of St.Lucia. My hobbies are cooking, travelling, dancing, and meeting new friends.
What job do you do at West Midlands Railway?
I am currently a Carriage Cleaner Supervisor at West Midlands Railway and a union representative at The National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers (RMT).
I work permanent night shifts where I do part cleaning and part supervision. As safety is paramount at West Midlands Railway, I must make sure that all Train Presentation Operatives adhere to all safety protocols. I also organise and allocate the different jobs for staff; for example, heavy cleaning duties, daily cleans, turn-around cleans and carpet cleaning just to name a few. I also manage and ensure that it's done to a high standard and all units are ready for service in the morning.
What has growing up as a black woman been like?
I spent most of my early adult years in St.Lucia, which is predominantly a black population where my life and experiences as a black woman felt "normal". However, since relocating to the UK, I am often reminded that I am a ‘minority’ or classed as an ‘other’. For example, I have often dealt with issues like racism and microaggressions. Through my years of experience, I have become a resilient woman, rich in culture and I am proud to express this.
Have you experienced any challenges in your career because you are black?
Early in my career after just moving to the UK, I had a very strong Caribbean accent. On the one hand, in social settings, people were accepting of the difference. However, at my previous place of work, it felt like my accent was a hindrance to progression in my career, as I was overlooked for customer-facing roles.
Why is Black History Month important?
Black History Month is important as it reflects the past, as well as being a reminder to me to acknowledge my ancestors. For me, it is all about embracing my culture - which I am so proud of. It also highlights the opportunities afforded to me and creates awareness for future generations of how varied, forgiving, determined and hopeful black people are and that there is a future of opportunities for them.
What advice would you give to the younger generation who may experience racial abuse?
My advice would be to talk about it with someone, report it and do not suffer. You are not the problem. You are beautiful and unique.
What makes you proud to work at West Midlands Railway?
I am proud to work at West Midlands Railway because they are striving to be a more inclusive employer, creating a more diverse workforce and helping people be proud of who they are.
Why did you join our internal group EMBRACE?
I joined West Midlands Railway’s internal network group, EMBRACE (Everyone Meaningfully Broadening Racial Awareness and Cultural Exchange) because I wanted to meet and interact with other people who I would not normally get the chance to meet. I wanted to use my experiences to help shape a better workplace and champion inclusion. I also wanted to be actively involved in sessions and activities with others within the railway family to help educate myself and broaden my knowledge on important inclusion initiatives.
Why is having an inclusive workplace important?
An inclusive workplace is important because it brings a sense of belonging and creates a positive environment/culture of togetherness. This leads to a more motivated workforce and stronger working relationships.
If you’ve enjoyed reading up on what Jackie has to say, why not delve into the life of our Materials Controller, Isaac!