“Black History Month is not just a celebration—it’s a declaration. A call to honour our heritage, own our brilliance, and lead with unapologetic purpose.”

This Black History Month, NHS London leaders reflect on the importance of diverse representation within leadership teams, and the powerful influence this has on healthcare services across the capital.

Karla Parker is the Assistant Director of Operational Improvement for the NHS, a role in which she manages the smooth running of healthcare improvement programmes.

On top of this, Karla offers her time as the Chair of the London staff BAME Network. Open to staff from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage and allies, the BAME Network champions equity of opportunity and drives forward race equality within the NHS.

This Black History Month, Karla shares what the theme, ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’, means to her, and reflects on the importance of representation in the workplace.

Karla Parker, Assistant Director of Operational Improvement and BAME Network Chair for the NHS in London, said:

“This year’s Black History Month theme, ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’, speaks directly to the heart of my journey. It’s not just a celebration—it’s a declaration. A call to honour our heritage, own our brilliance, and lead with unapologetic purpose.

“Raised by immigrant parents from Seychelles and Jamaica, I carry their legacy of resilience, dignity, and pride in everything I do. Their sacrifices shaped my values and fuelled my drive to succeed—not by fitting into someone else’s narrative, but by writing my own. I’ve never conformed, and I never will.

“As Chair of the NHS England London BAME Staff Network, I advocate for race equality – not as a box-ticking exercise, but as a moral imperative. Our workforce must reflect the communities we serve, and our leadership must reflect the courage to demand better.

“Our focus is on tackling systemic inequalities in recruitment, promotion, and disciplinary processes. The network fosters anti-racist and inclusive practices, supports leadership development for underrepresented groups, and influences policy through evidence and lived experience.

“The network is staff-led, which promotes equity, inclusion, and representation in our workplace. Especially now, as uncertain and unsettling times across London remind us of the urgency of justice, equity, and representation, we must confront uncomfortable truths and dismantle the structures that perpetuate inequality.

“By amplifying BAME voices and driving cultural change, the network hopes to create a fairer, more inclusive NHS for both staff and patients.

“In addition to our monthly coffee mornings and quarterly meetings, we frequently host events on topical subjects such as keeping well in winter, personal development and leadership sessions as well as specific events to celebrate black history month, south Asian heritage month, and so-on.

“Black History Month is a time to reflect, but it’s also a time to rise. To stand firm in our power. To stand proud in our truth. And to remind the world: we are here, we are leading, and we are not going anywhere.

“With a degree in law and operational management and a commitment to continual leadership development, I’ve worked across public and private sectors, always pushing boundaries and challenging systems that weren’t built with us in mind. I want a career built on impact, not approval.

“Outside of the NHS, I lead a semi-professional women’s football team and was honoured on the Football Black List 2024 for over 25 years of service to community grassroots football.

“That recognition isn’t just mine – it belongs to every young girl who’s ever been told she doesn’t belong on the pitch, including my 17-year-old daughter, who sees me stand tall, speak up, and lead with conviction. She knows not to wait for power to be given—it’s claimed.”