Charlene Smith, Improvement Engagement Lead, shares a blog for Black History Month
As part of this year’s Black History Month, I was invited to share my story and reflect on the people who’ve shaped me. For me, that journey starts at home, with two remarkable women who I believe embody the spirit of Liverpool’s Black history, my mum, Mandy, and my nan, Amina.
Both proud women from Toxteth, they were trailblazers in their own right. Strong, compassionate, and deeply committed to fighting for what’s right. Growing up in Liverpool 8, in one of the city’s largest Black communities, I saw first-hand the power of resilience, love, and leadership through them.
My Nan, Amina – A Warrior in Care and Compassion
My nan Amina, known as Candy to her oldest friends in L8, was a formidable yet fair woman, full of warmth, strength, and determination. She became a foster carer, opening her home and her heart to countless children who needed care and stability.
She soon recognised that many Black and ethnically diverse adults experiencing mental health challenges were not getting the right support. So, in true Amina fashion, she decided to take action. She took two run-down Georgian houses and transformed them into an 11-bed care home, one of the first of its kind in Liverpool specifically supporting people from diverse backgrounds. She called it Amina House.
My Nan outside Amina House
The name honoured her own, but it also carried the legacy of Queen Amina of Zazzau, a 16th-century Nigerian warrior queen celebrated for her courage, intelligence, and leadership. Like her namesake, my nan led with both strength and compassion, creating a safe space for those who were too often overlooked.
My Mum, Mandy – A Voice for the Community
My mum, Mandy, is without doubt the reason I found my way into entertainment and media. A beautiful singer, she was part of a successful female harmony group called Distinction.
Distinction, the first Black female group in the UK to be signed to a record label.
Distinction was part of a movement of Liverpool musicians whose talent shaped the sound of modern British music, born from the city’s challenging history of racial inequality.
Mum later became one of the very first presenters on BBC Radio Merseyside’s Upfront, a Black music show that began in 1983.
For 30 years, she brought music, interviews, and stories from across the community to the airwaves. It gave Liverpool’s Black voices a platform, celebrating our culture and telling our stories at a time when representation was rare.
Learn more about Distinction and other iconic Black musicians from Toxteth in a new photographic exhibition, now open till 1st August 2026 at the University of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery & Museum.
My Mum on BBC Radio Merseyside
My Journey – Standing on Their Shoulders
They say you are what you see, and I truly believe that. Watching my mum and nan lead, create, and care gave me the confidence to follow in their footsteps.
My career began in TV news and entertainment, working at the BBC, before moving into journalism. I later transitioned into public sector communications, where I’ve worked as a Communications Officer across local government now at Liverpool City Council.
Over the years, I’ve carved out a successful career by transforming complex council messaging into engaging, relatable stories that resonate with the public. Whether it’s policy updates, service changes, or community initiatives, I focus on making information clear, accessible, and compelling.
I’ve faced challenges, racism, and discrimination along the way barriers that can make you question your worth. But I’ve also been supported by mentors and leaders who saw something in me and encouraged me to believe in my value. More recently, I had the privilege of joining the LCR Race Equality Hub Mentoring Scheme, which gave me the confidence to step into spaces I once felt unsure I belonged in.
I was proud to be promoted from Communications Officer to Engagement Lead a role that allows me to work directly with communities, listening, learning, and ensuring their voices influence the services that support them.
I’m also part of the council’s Race Equality Staff Group, contributing to our Anti-Racism Strategy, helping to make the council a more inclusive and desirable place to work for people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
What drives me most is the hope that someone, somewhere, might look at my journey and see what’s possible that they’ll feel seen, valued, and empowered to take up space in environments where people like us haven’t always felt we belonged.
I stand on the shoulders of giants two women who showed me that strength, love, and community can change lives.
Their stories live on through me, and I hope that in my own way, I’m helping to build a future where more of us can thrive, lead, and be proud of who we are.
