Carrying Power and Pride: Dr Ezekiel Alawale’s Journey This Black History Month

For Dr Ezekiel Alawale, the meaning of power and pride has always been deeply personal. Today, he serves as a member of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Community Advisory Group (CAG), bringing the voice of the Majority Black Led Churches to the table. But his journey began thousands of miles away, in a small town in Nigeria.

As a child, whenever he fell ill, Dr Alawale would visit the local missionary hospital. There, he watched nurses, doctors, and pastors work side by side to heal, comfort, and guide his community. They were his role models — people who showed him that service, compassion, and leadership could change lives. “From that moment,” he recalls, “I decided that I too would one day become both a doctor and a pastor. That way, I could carry power and pride into the community.”

For Dr Alawale, power has never been about status or authority.

“Power means the ability to stand with the poor, the sick, the vulnerable, and the voiceless — to empathise with them, uplift them, and empower them to believe in themselves and pursue their unique purposes in life,” he explains.

And pride?

“Pride means proving that my skin colour does not make me inferior and modelling that truth for others. Pride is knowing that the cream rises to the top — that success in life is achieved through determination, diligence, discipline, and focus.”

This year, as we mark Black History Month, Dr Alawale reminds us that celebration is only part of the story. It is also about honouring the struggles and triumphs of those who came before — the trailblazers who created opportunities for generations to come. He draws strength from the legacies of Harriet Tubman, Queen Nanny of the Maroons, and Ruby Bridges: people who, despite hardship, embodied resilience and courage.

“Despite oppression, discrimination, and hardship, they left a lasting impact through resistance, leadership, and empowerment,” Dr Alawale reflects. “Their legacies remind us that the pursuit of justice and dignity is both possible and powerful.”

In his work with the Community Advisory Group, Dr Alawale continues that tradition of building bridges and shaping change. His role allows him to understand the challenges and sacrifices of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, while also bringing forward the perspectives of Black and ethnic minority communities. He advocates for fairer representation, helps shape policies that serve a multicultural society, and encourages young people in his community to see a future for themselves within the Fire and Rescue Service.

“Through the CAG,” he says, “I not only contribute to meaningful change within NFRS, but also serve as a bridge between my community and the Service — promoting trust, representation, and empowerment.”

For Dr Alawale, Black History Month is more than a moment of recognition. It is a call to action — to carry forward the lessons of the past, to uplift communities in the present, and to build an inclusive future filled with pride, power, and possibility.