Black History Month 2026 | Fadzai’s Journey as a Pharmacist at Boots

In recognition of Black History Month and this year’s theme, “Honouring Our Communities,” Fadzai reflects on the people, experiences, and connections that have shaped her personal and professional journey. Born and raised in Zimbabwe before moving to the UK as a teenager, Fadzai shares how community support, cultural identity, and the encouragement of others have helped her grow, succeed, and make a positive impact in her role at Boots. Through her story, she highlights the importance of recognising those whose kindness, guidance, and support often make a lasting difference behind the scenes.

A little intro about you, where you work, your heritage

My name is Fadzai, which comes from my native language and means “one who brings joy.” It is a name that I carry with pride and one that reflects the values of kindness and compassion that are important to me, both personally and professionally.

I was born and raised in Zimbabwe, in the southern region of Africa, before moving to the United Kingdom at the age of 13. Growing up in Zimbabwe gave me a strong sense of community, culture, and identity, while moving to the UK introduced me to new experiences, opportunities, and perspectives. Today, I am proud to embrace both parts of my journey and the unique blend of cultures that has helped shape who I am.

I work as a Remote Services Pharmacist at Boots Support Office , where part of my role involves carrying out remote reviews of patients’ newly prescribed medications. Through these consultations, I support patients in understanding their treatment, address any concerns they may have, and make referrals to the appropriate healthcare professionals when further support is needed. It is a role that allows me to make a positive difference in people’s lives every day.

As we celebrate Black History Month and this year’s theme, “Honouring Our Communities”, I look forward to reflecting on the people, traditions, and experiences that have influenced my life and continue to inspire me every day.

What does black history month mean to you?

Black History Month is a time for me to celebrate, reflect on, and honour the rich history, culture, and contributions of Black communities. As someone who was born in Zimbabwe and now lives and works in the UK, it is an opportunity to embrace my heritage, share my experiences, and recognise the strength, resilience, and sense of community that have shaped my journey.

How does this theme resonate with you?

This year’s theme, “Honouring Our Communities,” resonates deeply with me because I would not be where I am today without the support of a village of Black people who have invested in me throughout my journey. I have been fortunate to have mentors, colleagues, friends, and community members who have guided me, encouraged me, and created opportunities for me to grow.

Their contributions may not have been the loudest or most visible, but they have had a lasting impact. Through their kindness, wisdom, and belief in my potential, they have helped shape both the person and the professional I am today. Honouring our communities is, for me, about recognising and celebrating those whose quiet support makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Shout out some leaders/people that have helped you or inspired you? In or out of Boots?

There are so many people I could recognise and thank for the impact they have had on my journey, both within and outside of Boots. As an example of celebrating those whose quiet support makes a meaningful difference, I would like to give a special shout-out to Jai Njie, a PQSM at Boots.

Through what was, to Jai, perhaps just a single conversation, she left me feeling inspired, encouraged, and more confident in my own potential. Following that meeting, she took the time to send me the job advertisement for the role I am in today and encouraged me to apply. That simple act of support created an opportunity that has had a lasting impact on my career. It is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful contributions are not the loudest. Jai’s kindness and willingness to invest in others are great examples of the positive impact our communities can have on one another.

A sentence encouraging others to ‘honour’ African/Caribbean colleagues, friends or members of the community this month – and always!

This Black History Month and beyond, take a moment to honour the African and Caribbean colleagues, friends, and community members around you. Celebrate their stories, recognise their contributions, and acknowledge the positive impact they make every day.