Black History Month: Ayodeji Oyesanya – working to beat the systemic doubters

For Bellrock Fleet Manager, Ayodeji Oyesanya, coming to the UK represented an opportunity for hard work to pay off. But was it a smooth road to a better life? As part of our Black History Month celebrations, we caught up with Ayo to hear his story…

Bellrock Group are proud to celebrate the cultural heritage of our people. We honour a variety of cultural and religious observances throughout the year as part of our ‘Belonging at Bellrock’ series, aligning with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy.

This Black History Month our colleague Ayodeji Oyesanya, Fleet Manager, shares his personal story about his heritage and what Black History Month means to him.

Life back home in Nigeria was challenging. My family of eight lived in a two-bedroom house; my parents in one room, and my siblings and I squeezed into the other. Food was never guaranteed; some days we had one meal, other days two, and sometimes there were days when we didn’t eat at all. Electricity was often unavailable, making studying for exams difficult as we relied on candlelight. I remember early in my secondary school days being publicly called out and made to stand outside the classroom when my school fees weren’t paid on time. It was a humiliating experience, standing there exposed while my classmates continued their lessons inside.

That experience, like many others, taught me resilience and learned early on that nothing would be handed to me without a fight. One of the biggest challenges living and growing up in Nigeria was the lack of opportunities. No matter how hard you worked, it often felt like you were getting nowhere.

The system was broken in so many ways. Corruption was everywhere, and it wasn’t uncommon for people to lose opportunities or promotions to someone who had the right connections or could pay a bribe. Merit was often overlooked in favour of wealth or influence, leaving people like me feeling stuck, no matter how much effort we put in.

When I moved to the UK four years ago, I hoped for new opportunities, but I faced a new set of challenges. Back in Nigeria, we were all part of the same community; there wasn’t a sense of racial categorisation. But here in the UK, I encountered biases I had never experienced before.  The first thing I noticed was how people saw me before they even knew me. In my past work experiences, I often felt that I’ve had to work twice as hard to earn half the respect of my colleagues.

I have faced moments where my qualifications or experience were questioned, not because of my abilities, but because of preconceived notions about what someone like me could achieve. This wasn’t just about working hard; it was about overcoming a systemic doubt that often-surrounded Black professionals in the corporate world. How I speak, approach, and react was judged differently, I felt the colour of my skin made opportunities harder to grasp. The constant pressure to prove myself was exhausting.

Joining Bellrock was a game-changer for me. Here, my heritage isn’t seen as a barrier—diversity and inclusion are woven into the culture. Before, I struggled to get my voice heard. Now, I am delivering successful projects to a wider audience of different cultural backgrounds and races, I’m not only heard but valued for what I bring to the table.

As a Fleet Manager at Bellrock, I am judged solely on my abilities, and the diversity at Bellrock allows all of us to focus on our work and contribute our unique insights without fear of being overlooked or judged differently.  It’s the little things, like giving someone the platform to share their thoughts, that make a big difference. Having that support has allowed me to thrive in my role.