Black History Month: in conversation with Caleb Adoh

Here at ClearCourse, we take immense pride in our diversity and inclusivity. To celebrate Black History Month 2022, we sat down with members of our team to talk about their heritage, their history, and their lived experiences.

One of the conversations we had was with Caleb Adoh. Caleb is a relatively new member of ClearCourse’s Business Services marketing team, and has only been living in England for two years, so it was a great opportunity to sit down with him to learn more about his experiences, and how he’s finding both the UK and ClearCourse. Dan Barber, our Director of Brand Strategy, asks the questions.

Caleb, it’s great to have the opportunity to sit down and talk with you. So, let’s start at the beginning – where were you born?

I was born in Nigeria and moved to England two and a half years ago.

So, where is that accent from? It sounds as if there’s some American in there.

Ah, it’s Nigerian but with some American and English influence - I love rap and spoken word poetry, so I must have picked that up over time.

Where did you move to when you came to England?

I moved to Leeds – it’s a wonderfully diverse city with lots of ethnicity and culture.

What do you remember most about your childhood Caleb?

I remember a rich and full upbringing with lots of family. Lots of lots of family. It was great. There was always family around, Aunts, Uncles, Brothers, friends of the family. In Africa, we have a saying, “it takes a village to raise a child”, and that was very much my experience.

Caleb that’s really interesting, because Sam Peterson (MD of TISSL) was born and raised in Zimbabwe and she said the same thing.

Yes, it’s so true. There’s somebody to turn to for anything that you want to ask or need guidance for. Mentors, people to help with your morale, provide inspiration or knowledge or even rebuke - if that’s what’s needed. I do miss that support system.

What are the main differences you see now living away from Nigeria?

Africa is a rich and wonderful place and Nigeria, especially, has such culture, such beauty and food that is just the best cuisine in the world – the best delicacies that you could imagine.

So has it been easy to settle here?

It has. The UK is such a forward-thinking place, diverse and multicultural with a good understanding. I don’t feel restricted inany way and I feel as if I can do my thing and be accepted.

Do you feel as if you work for a diverse organisation?

ClearCourse feels diverse, although probably more diverse in our London offices. But it certainly feels like a welcoming and warm organisation, and I feel very comfortable here.

We are hoping to drive more diversity in our other offices, do you see that as a good thing?

I do. Great diversity is ahealthy thing for everyone. It’s great that diversity is being spoken about and that it’s not a box-ticking exercise.

And what does Black History Month mean to you, Caleb?

It’s a chance to celebrate black people doing great things. I look for positives, and right now, I am in awe of Tobi Amusan, who is currently the fastest woman on the planet. Incredible. Inspirational. Black History Month is about the very essence of being black, being yourself. It’s about being proud.