BHM 'Meet the Team' Shakara Brown

To mark Black History Month The Carey Group are celebrating our black colleagues with a series of BHM focused ‘Meet the Team’ interviews throughout the month of October. Today, we catch up with Shakara...

Q: What is your ethnic background and how do you celebrate it?

A: I am a British born black Caribbean. My great grand parents came from Jamaica to the UK during Windrush. The area where I currently live and was raised has a strong Caribbean influence which means I am very exposed to my culture, and I celebrate this through embracing the food, music and the language.

Q: What would you like people who are not of a Caribbean origin to know about your culture?

A: The food is incredible!

Q: What does Black History Month mean to you?

A: Black History Month reminds me of the freedom I have today as a black person compared to many years ago where life was more challenging for a person like myself. It’s a time to learn and to reflect upon my history.

Q: Why is it important that we celebrate Black History Month?

A: It is important for us to acknowledge how far we have come as a society in terms of inclusivity and diversity. I think the celebration of Black History Month contributes to this progression. It is just as important as any other celebration, and it means that everyone has the opportunity to learn about black history.

Q: Can you tell us about a role model who has inspired you?

A: Madame CJ Walker who became the first black woman millionaire in America by creating and selling hair products. While my dream is not to become a millionaire and join the hair and beauty industry, I admire how she overcame the many challenges that came her way to achieve success.

Q: What is your role at Careys and what do you do on a day-to-day basis?

A: I am a trainee engineer. I spend most of my day working alongside the section engineer, assisting with setting out, surveying, performing AutoCAD tasks, and liaising with other site teams to bring the drawings to life. I also help with day to day engineering administrative duties.

Q: What interested you in a career in construction?

A: I love working with my hands, getting messy and I enjoy taking on different challenges. My dad is a jack of all trades, my mother a DIY lover and my eldest brother a plumber, so perhaps it was meant to be.

I really love helping people and it’s very rewarding to play a role in building essential and aesthetically pleasing infrastructure that others can enjoy over the years to come.

Q: What project are you currently working on and how does it benefit the local community?

A: I am currently working at Stratford Waterfront which will soon be home to one of the largest and most ambitious cultural and educational districts-East bank.

Q: How do diverse teams improve how we work?

A: Having diverse teams help to introduce different ideas and perspectives in the workplace which can contribute to productivity and an inclusive company culture, resulting in a happier work environment. Diversity in the work place encourages everyone to be themselves without unnecessary judgement and it is amazing how people from different walks of life can join together working towards the same vision and goal.