Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of racism and trauma from the start. Please listen with care. Support resources are available on our website at bfbs.com/audience support.

Racism doesn’t disappear with time - it disappears with action.

In this deeply important and courageous episode, Lindsay MacDuff, the Culture Colonel, speaks with Richard Stokes, the British Army’s first Black Guardsman, and Kerry Ann Knight, who joined the Army 25 years later. 

Together, they share their experiences of overt racism, systemic exclusion, and the long-lasting emotional and professional impact of serving in a culture that didn’t always see or support them.

Richard and Kerry Ann reflect on the isolation of being 'the first' or 'the only', and the culture of silence that allowed discriminatory behaviours to go unchallenged. They speak honestly about the toll this has taken on their mental health and careers, and what it means to keep showing up in the face of institutional barriers.

But this conversation is also about resilience, truth, and the potential for real change. They share what gives them hope - genuine leadership, external support, and the power of speaking up, not just for themselves, but for those who follow.

What did you take away from this episode? Email us at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com

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