We’re working closely with the local community in Birmingham to help young Black people put themselves in prime positions for employment opportunities. Here’s why.
“This has been on my mind for the last 20 years,” explains joint managing director, Chris Cummins.
“Even before I set up OTD with Andy (Crotty), one of the things I always wanted to do was in some way shape or form, give the tools that I’ve learnt in my corporate life, to people from my own community.”
Chris’ long-term intention was to deliver free seminars to support people in the local community. Then last year happened.
George Floyd was tragically killed in police custody in the USA. Whilst it affected Chris personally, it was the case of Amy Cooper that perhaps resonated most.
She was charged with filing a false report after calling 911 from Central Park in New York, where she claimed to have been threatened by an “African-American man”.
As those incidents happened, Chris reached the conclusion that something needed to happen now.
“It got me thinking: why are people scared of Black men? I spent a lot of my life trying not to look scary. Is that a reason why a lot of black males aren’t reaching positions in normal corporate environments? “And then I looked at the business we are in and thought actually, we need to change. Just as I was thinking that, my business partner, Andy, called me and he was thinking the same thing; and he’s not Black!”
One of the first actions Chris and Andy took was to link up with local charity, First Class Foundation. Through the charity, we’ve delivered coaching, sponsorship and donated our time as part of a mentoring series for young people.
Most recently, we invited Rohan Bent to join us on a paid work experience placement. Rohan will soon be commencing a graduate position at Deloitte and we hope what we did at OTD will stand him in good stead in his career.
Chris adds: “You can walk around cities and see people who really want to uplift themselves but don’t have a mechanism. We’re doing this constantly with corporate organisations which is great, but what feels right is to go to other places and help people.”
You can watch Rohan and Chris in conversation below …