Reflecting on Our Black History Month Conference 2025

At Thames Valley Police, we remain committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong. Our annual Black History Month conference, held on Friday 24 October, was once again delivered in partnership with the Open University, bringing together colleagues, community leaders, and academics for a day of powerful storytelling, reflection, and inspiration, centred around this year’s theme: ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’.

The event opened with a warm welcome and a sense of shared purpose, as attendees gathered to reflect, learn, and celebrate the contributions and experiences of the Black community, past and present. ACC Dennis Murray and Professor Hugh McFaul led the opening remarks, setting the tone for the day with reflections on the importance of representation, allyship, and the continued journey toward inclusion within policing and beyond.

ACC Dennis Murray reflected on the event’s success, saying:

“Black History Month provides an important opportunity for reflection, learning, and meaningful action. Our recent conference, held in collaboration with The Open University, brought together distinguished speakers and colleagues to share lived experiences and insights that challenge us to think differently and act decisively. The discussions on allyship, community empowerment, and resilience underscore our commitment to fostering an inclusive culture where diversity is respected and celebrated. I am grateful to all who contributed to this event and reaffirm our dedication to driving positive change across our organisation and the communities we serve.” 

Professor Hugh McFaul, Head of Law School at the Open University, added:

“The Open University’s founding mission is to be open to people, places, methods and ideas, so we were delighted to have the opportunity to host the BHM event in partnership with Thames Valley Police. This was the first collaborative event since our well-respected Department of Policing and Centre for Policing Research and Learning (CPRL) had joined The Open University Law School, and I was pleased to see at first hand the depth of the partnership that has been developed with TVP. I look forward to supporting CPRL to engage with the challenges of contemporary policing by working with the sector to put research into practice and practice into research”. 

Lisa Lovell, a community activist and daughter of Windrush parents, set the tone for the day. As Chair of the Milton Keynes Stop and Search Community Scrutiny Group, Lisa spoke with honesty and passion about the importance of community voice, accountability, and the legacy of resilience passed down through generations.

We then heard from Sonia Bassey MBE, a civil rights campaigner and Open University PhD student, who shared her powerful story of growing up in Toxteth, Liverpool, before, during and after the 1981 riots. Sonia spoke about “standing on the shoulders of giants” and her decades-long mission to change the narrative for Black communities. Her words were a reminder of how personal history and activism often go hand in hand.

Our very own Detective Superintendent Lewis Prescott-Mayling brought the conversation closer to home, reflecting on his own journey as the son of migrant workers. He spoke about the importance of allyship and the impact of a senior colleague’s encouragement early in his career – words that inspired his own commitment to “pay it forward” and support others.

The day ended on an emotional high with a standing ovation for Dr Mark Prince OBE, former world boxing champion and founder of the Kiyan Prince Foundation. In a deeply personal and inspiring talk, Dr Prince spoke about the power of mindset and purpose, following the tragic loss of his 15-year-old son to knife crime. His message was one of hope, healing, and the strength to turn pain into positive change.

Dr Fidèle Mutwarasibo, Associate Head of the Business School at the Open University, also shared his reflections:

What a powerful and inspiring Black History Month conference! The keynote speakers really brought their personal experiences to the forefront, which made everything feel more real and impactful. It wasn’t just about highlighting struggles- it was about showing the strength and action of people working to make their communities, and the UK as a whole, safer and more inclusive for everyone. The event also took a strong stand against performative allyship, encouraging us to embrace genuine, supportive allyship instead. The table discussions were a real highlight too; they helped us dig deeper into what the speakers shared and sparked some great questions from the audience.

The conference was brought to a close by our Superintendent Emma Baillie, Milton Keynes Local Command Unit Commander, who offered final reflections on the importance of continued dialogue, leadership, and collective responsibility in driving meaningful change.

As this year’s Black History Month event concludes, we are reminded that these conversations must continue beyond October. They should inform our policies, shape our culture, and ensure TVP is a place where everyone can belong and succeed. Together, we can make a difference.