Black History Month: Honouring Our Communities at VodafoneThree

October marks Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements, culture and contributions of Black communities, and the lasting impact they continue to have on our world. At VodafoneThree, our careers are shaped by more than the work we do. Our experiences, identities and the people around us all influence how we grow and what we believe is possible.

This year’s theme, Honouring Our Communities, shines a light on the people who shape us, support us and help us move forward.

We caught up with members of our Black Professionals at VodafoneThree Network to hear how they’re honouring their communities and recognising the people who have shaped their journeys. Their stories explore the connections that have influenced their lives and careers, and the advice they’d share with others taking their next step.

Who helped shape who you are today?

“My parents shaped who I am by encouraging me to embrace new experiences, step outside my comfort zone and always do my best. They taught me to view setbacks not as failures, but as opportunities to learn and grow. When I was younger, I was painfully shy, so my dad challenged me to learn the names of everyone at my after-school clubs. Although it was difficult at first, I gradually became more comfortable starting conversations and making friends.

Today, I enjoy meeting new people, and my shy days feel like a distant memory. My parents taught me that fear does not have to be a barrier and that I can achieve anything I put my mind to, even when it initially feels daunting. I would not be who I am without my parents’ encouragement to embrace new experiences, keep improving and believe in myself.”  

– Charlotte-Ambar Brown, Propositions Specialist – Security, and Events Lead of the Black Professionals at VodafoneThree Network

What part of your identity or community has most influenced your career journey?

“Both my identity and community have influenced my career in so many ways. Being of mixed heritage has given me the ability to see the world through multiple lenses and different perspectives. Family, friends, teachers, colleagues, sponsors and role models have all played a part. My ambition was always there, but they certainly helped me think bigger.

Many of the people who have influenced my journey know how much they have helped, but there are also many who have no idea of the impact they've had. That's why, to me, representation and community matter. We can have such an impact on one another, often without even realising it.”

– Kellie Collier, Brand Content & Strategy Lead at VodafoneThree and Comms Lead for the Black Professionals at VodafoneThree Network

What advice would you give someone considering a career at VodafoneThree?

“Be curious, adaptable, and ready to embrace the speed of change. In telco and tech, the landscape evolves constantly and standing still simply means falling behind. You have to keep moving forward just to maintain pace and accelerate even further if you want to stay ahead.

A career at VodafoneThree offers huge scope to reinvent yourself, whether you’re driving operational excellence, navigating commercial shifts, or shaping future customer experiences. We are at our best when diverse perspectives challenge the status quo. If you bring resilience, energy and an appetite to work at pace, there is virtually no ceiling to what you can achieve here.”

– Horace Francis, Head of Device Operations and Senior Chair of the Black Professionals at VodafoneThree Network

Honouring our communities means recognising the people who help us grow, challenge us to think bigger and encourage us to take that next step. These stories remind us that the impact we have on someone’s journey can be greater than we realise.

Want to discover more? Explore our Black Professionals at VodafoneThree Network and find out how we’re building a more inclusive VodafoneThree.