The month of October is Black History Month, celebrating African and Afro-Caribbean heritage across the UK in all sectors. Here at Motorsport UK, we saw the successful relaunch of our programme Race for Diversity at Thinktank in Birmingham, which aims to increase the participation and involvement of 14 to 24-year-olds from Black, Asian, minority ethnic groups and economically disadvantaged backgrounds through inspirational STEAM interventions, in motorsport.

As we work towards supporting diversity in paddocks across the UK, Motorsport UK caught up with event panellist Marlon James-Edwards Manager of the Upward Bound programme, which works to supporting attainment and aspirations for young people in participating Islington secondary schools, from the London Met University.

In addition, Motorsport Engineering student Gerren Ntiri, Laila Fadi, M44 Scholar at Mercedes, Dr. Marcia Goddard, Founder of Contentment for Business at the Contentment Foundation and Laila Fadli, Mi have also added comment to find out how Black History Month can support these positive changes in our sport.

Why do you think it is important to acknowledge Black History Month within motorsport?

Gerren: Acknowledging Black History Month and similar tributes to ethnic groups is important in presenting motorsport as an inclusive industry. By appreciating such celebrations, it shows people that this is an industry that respects the impact black and ethnic groups have had on our society.

Not only does it show appreciation for those looking from the outside, but it shows those who are already in the industry that they are appreciated for who they are, their background, and that this has made them into the people they are today.

How do you think that Motorsport UK can take these learnings and support progression and equality within our organisation and beyond?

Marlon: Motorsport UK has the responsibility to be proactive in engaging with schools and organisations where black children specifically may not feel the sport is for them or just have a lack of knowledge of the many professional pathways there are in motorsport. They also need to employ the voices and experiences of Black leaders in these spaces to showcase diverse vision and intention.

We celebrated the launch of the ‘Race for Diversity’ programme this month, what advice do you have for anyone looking to get into motorsport and the automotive sector?

Marcia: For anyone looking to get into motorsport or the automotive sector, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, my first piece of advice is to believe in your worth and your right to be in this space. The motorsport and automotive industries can sometimes feel exclusive, but there is room for diverse voices and talent. Don’t let the lack of representation deter you. Instead, use it as motivation to carve out your space. The industry needs diverse perspectives to innovate and grow, and by bringing your unique experiences and background, you’ll be contributing to that evolution. Building confidence in your abilities is key to thriving in this high-performance environment. Remember, it’s not about blending in. It’s about standing out. Be unapologetically good at what you do.

Laila: My journey into motorsport has taught me that while it is a highly competitive and fast-paced industry, it’s also incredibly rewarding, particularly for those who are passionate, persistent, and willing to push the boundaries of their own abilities. For anyone looking to break into motorsport or the automotive sector, there are a few key pieces of advice that I can share, drawn from my own experience.

Motorsport is an industry that demands resilience. As someone who entered this space from a background where representation was scarce, I had to constantly push through barriers and uncertainties. Whether you’re pursuing an engineering role, driver position, or a technical role within a team, resilience is crucial. You will face challenges, and not everything will go as planned, but your ability to stay focused, adapt, and persist in the face of adversity will set you apart. Don’t be discouraged by the inevitable setbacks, see them as part of your learning curve.

While organisations are slowly making steps to support younger people in the community, what support do you wish had been in place at the start of your career?

Marcia: I often found myself navigating obstacles alone. It wasn’t just about breaking through as a woman of colour. It was about dealing with the subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle, ways people would undermine or dismiss my perspective. Had there been more people around me who understood what it felt like to be the ‘other,’ I think it would have been easier to trust myself and my instincts. There is real power in having others who can see and acknowledge your struggles, because it tells you: you’re not overreacting, and you deserve better. Having said that, it has made me single-mindedly focused on my goals, and it is exactly that single-mindedness that has led me to succeed in achieving some goals I never thought were possible.

How do you think ‘safety’ and ‘inclusion’ can be better positioned within motorsport?

Marlon: I think safety and inclusion should be front facing in the coverage of the sport on Television, radio, across social media and in cinemas. Even at a political level, diversity in all sports should be celebrated and presented as having societal and economic benefits that can be sustainable with great leadership.

Gerren: Seeing the work that organisations like Race for Diversity and Driven by Us are doing for inclusion is incredibly reassuring. These initiatives bring together people with similar backgrounds and upbringings, united by their goals but separated by the scarcity of opportunities in their respective schools, universities, and workplaces. Through this support, we are given the opportunity to pursue our careers while also empowering each other.

Marcia: Motorsport is a high-performance environment, and as someone with expertise in this area, it seems like a no-brainer that psychological safety should be at the forefront of any performance-oriented strategy. If people feel safe to share their ideas, innovate, and take risks, teams will perform better, solve problems more effectively, and, ultimately, make the car go faster. Performance and inclusivity are not at odds, they are deeply connected. The more inclusive an environment, the more potential we unlock, both from individuals and teams. In an industry that thrives on precision, innovation, and teamwork, why wouldn’t we want to create the conditions for everyone to perform at their best?

Laila: When it comes to inclusion, motorsport should aim to create environments where all individuals feel respected and valued, both on and off the track. This can be achieved by implementing zero-tolerance policies for discrimination, investing in diversity training, and actively promoting underrepresented voices in the sport. Inclusion must go beyond token gestures and become a strategic priority, embedded in every layer of the industry—from team dynamics to organisational policies. By prioritising both safety and inclusion, we can foster a culture that is not only high-performing but also welcoming and respectful to everyone involved.

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