Black History Month 2026: Honouring Our Communities
Edwards Duthie Shamash is pleased to see Shanice Edwards-Smith featured in the latest issue of The Review, contributing to a special feature recognising Black History Month 2026 and this year’s theme, ‘Honouring Our Communities’.
Black History Month 2026: Honouring our Communities
“To support clients effectively, practitioners need empathy, genuine commitment and resilience, particularly because every client’s circumstances, needs and experiences are different” – Shanice Edwards-Smith
Published in The Review, Issue 244, the feature brings together perspectives from legal professionals across the sector, exploring the importance of community, cultural understanding and representation within the legal profession, as well as the role these values play in supporting individuals and families.
As the first point of contact for many clients, Shanice shares her thoughts on building trust with individuals who may already feel apprehensive about the legal system. She reflects on how previous negative experiences, either personal or involving people close to them, can influence how clients approach legal proceedings and their confidence in seeking legal support.
Building Trust Through Empathy and Cultural Understanding
Shanice emphasises the importance of empathy, compassion and taking the time to build meaningful relationships with clients. She also highlights the need to recognise that communities are not defined by a single shared experience, and that effective legal support requires an understanding of individual circumstances, backgrounds and perspectives.
Read Shanice’s Contribution in The Review
Read Shanice’s full interview, published by Resolution, which explores these themes in greater detail and forms part of the wider discussion around Black History Month 2026.
Click here to read Shanice’s interview on Resolution’s website.
The discussion also considers how family courts have become more aware of cultural diversity, while recognising that progress remains uneven. As Shanice explains, cultural competence is not simply about recognising different customs or traditions. It requires a genuine willingness to listen to individuals rather than make assumptions about their experiences.
Her contribution reinforces the importance of accessible, empathetic and culturally sensitive legal services, helping to ensure that individuals and families feel heard, respected and supported throughout what can often be a challenging time.
Honouring the Community feature in Issue 244 of The Review by Resolution
You can also read the full Honouring the Community feature in Issue 244 of The Review, which brings together contributions from legal professionals across the sector. The PDF is available to read below.