Serena Adebisi’s Story
Every Story Starts Somewhere
If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I love a good story. Whether it’s told through a photograph, a trip somewhere new, music, culture or simply a conversation with someone I’ve just met, I’m naturally curious about people and where they come from. So, in the spirit of Black History Month, here’s a little bit of mine. I was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and I’m Yoruba, with family roots in Ikare, Ondo State. I’m also the first-born of four children: three girls and one boy, with my brother being the youngest. As the eldest child, I like to think that means I was the original blueprint, although my siblings may disagree!
Embracing What Makes Me Different
I moved to the UK when I was 13, and it was definitely a culture shock. Starting secondary school in a completely different country, surrounded by people from different backgrounds and with so many different accents, took some getting used to. At the time, I was conscious of my own accent and sometimes felt embarrassed about it because it made me sound different. Now, however, it’s something I genuinely love and appreciate about myself. My accent is part of who I am. It reflects where I come from, makes me stand out and contributes to my personality and individuality. Besides, life would be very boring if we all sounded exactly the same!
“My accent is part of who I am. It reflects where I come from.”
As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to appreciate how moving to the UK and adapting to a new environment shaped me. It wasn’t always easy, but it helped me become more comfortable in my own identity and taught me that the things that make us different are often the things that make us most interesting.
“The things that make us different are often the things that make us most interesting.”
Nigerian Culture
One of the things I love most about Nigerian culture is how vibrant and expressive it is. Music is a huge part of our culture, whether that’s Afrobeats, gospel or anything in between. Nigerian music has a way of bringing people together. Even if you don’t understand every word, you’ll probably still find yourself moving to the beat!
And then there are our weddings. Nigerian weddings are colourful, energetic and, honestly, an experience! However, what I appreciate most is that there is meaning behind so much of what happens, particularly during traditional weddings. From the clothing to the different customs and ceremonies, each element has symbolism and a reason behind it. Our weddings aren’t simply beautiful to look at, although we definitely know how to dress! They also tell stories about family, community, heritage and traditions that have been passed down through generations.
That’s what I particularly appreciate about my culture. There is so much joy and celebration, but beneath it all there is also history, connection and meaning.
What Black History Month Means To Me
My relationship with Black History Month is probably a little different because I grew up in Nigeria. Black History Month wasn’t something I grew up thinking about in the same way. Being Black was simply part of everyday life because I was surrounded by people who looked like me. It wasn’t something that needed a specific month to be recognised or celebrated. Coming to the UK gave me a different perspective. It was interesting to see schools and organisations dedicate a particular month to celebrating Black history and culture. At the same time, I’ve sometimes questioned what Black History Month means beyond simply being a date on the calendar. Celebrating Black culture through music, food, clothing and events is great, but I think understanding the meaning behind those celebrations is just as important. It shouldn’t become something we acknowledge in October and then forget about for the rest of the year. There should be genuine curiosity about different cultures, histories and experiences.
One thing I remember from school is that conversations about Black history often seemed to focus heavily on slavery. That history is important, and it shouldn’t be forgotten, but it isn’t the entirety of Black identity or Black history.
Black history also includes creativity, family, community, music, achievement, resilience, innovation and tradition. It includes our joy as much as it includes our struggles. We can respect what previous generations endured without allowing their suffering to become the only story told about us.
Representation Matters
I’m glad that we’re increasingly seeing a broader range of Black stories represented in music, film and popular culture. There’s something powerful about seeing someone with a similar background succeeding on a huge platform. It gives you that moment of thinking, “If they can be there, perhaps I can too.” Representation won’t automatically solve everything, but it can help people see opportunities they may not have imagined for themselves before.
The People And Experiences That Shaped Me
If I had to choose my biggest role models, I would genuinely say my parents. I’ve seen the sacrifices they’ve made to give me and my siblings opportunities and help us get to where we are today. They taught me the value of hard work, discipline and knowing who I am. They guided me towards what they believed was right while still allowing me to choose my own path. Like many children, I probably didn’t appreciate every lesson at the time. Sometimes you grow up, experience life for yourself and suddenly realise, “Oh… so that’s what my parents meant!” The older I’ve become, the more I’ve appreciated how my upbringing prepared me for life. My parents taught me to stand my ground and not allow other people’s opinions or perceptions to define me. They gave me a strong sense of identity, while also giving me room to develop my own personality.
“My parents taught me to stand my ground and not allow other people’s opinions or perceptions to define me.”
I think it’s also important to remember that sharing a race, culture or even the same upbringing doesn’t make people identical. My siblings and I were raised by the same parents, but we’re still completely different individuals. We have our own personalities, values and ways of seeing the world. That’s why I think we should always try to understand people as individuals rather than assuming we know everything about them because of the group they belong to. After all, if my siblings and I can come from the same household and still be so different, imagine how different millions of people from across the world can be!
Curiosity, Travel And Capturing Moments
Outside of work, I love travelling and learning about different cultures. For me, travelling isn’t simply about going somewhere new. I enjoy understanding how other people live, seeing different traditions and experiencing places that are different from what I’m familiar with. I also love taking pictures and capturing moments. I believe a photograph can tell a thousand stories. One image can remind you of a place, the people you were with, how you felt and exactly what was happening at that point in your life. Although I should probably admit that getting the perfect picture may require several attempts. Sometimes the memory is spontaneous, but the photograph definitely isn’t!
“A photograph can tell a thousand stories.”
Beyond One Month
Ultimately, if there’s one thing I’d like people to take away from Black History Month, it’s that learning about and understanding one another shouldn’t be limited to one month. I also don’t believe that the responsibility for educating others should sit solely with Black people. There are so many resources available, and we can all take some ownership of learning about experiences that are different from our own. That applies to me as well. There are cultures and experiences that aren’t mine, and I have the same responsibility to listen, learn and show respect. Those differences aren’t things we should feel pressured to hide. They’re often the very things that make us who we are. And if you ever attend a Nigerian wedding, come prepared: wear something colourful, bring plenty of energy and make sure your dancing shoes are ready!
