Black History Month | An interview with Paige Hylton  

As we celebrate Black History Month at Moorepay, we’re taking the opportunity to honour the stories and journeys of our colleagues with African and Caribbean heritage.

This year’s theme, Reclaiming Narratives, invites us to explore personal experiences and perspectives that shape our workplace today. 

We had a heart-to-heart with Paige Hylton, our Demand Marketing Manager, who shared insights into her career, and the importance of true inclusivity at Moorepay. 

The interview

Can you give us an introduction to what you do at Moorepay? 

I recently stepped into the role of Demand Marketing Manager. My main focus is boosting our website’s conversion rates and managing our paid channel mix to generate leads. Essentially, my goal is to drive as many prospective businesses as possible to our site, guiding them right through the funnel until they book a demo and, ideally, convert to new customers.  

I work closely with the entire marketing team to maximise conversions, making sure our efforts all lead towards measurable growth. 

Has your cultural heritage influenced your personal or professional journey and if so, how? 

I thought about this, and honestly, I’d say my cultural heritage hasn’t directly influenced my choice to go into digital marketing. My cultural identity is twofold; while I’m Jamaican through my family, I was born in England and feel deeply connected to Birmingham. So, neither part specifically drove my career decisions, but I do think the blend of both has shaped how I interact with people. I’d like to think I get along with all sorts and am pretty sociable, which is helpful professionally. 

Have there been any challenges you’ve faced in your career that are connected to your identity? 

Being a black woman in the corporate world, particularly in STEM, I’m aware of the challenges women face, with fewer women represented compared to men. Sometimes, just being a woman can influence how you’re treated in business, where women don’t always get the same voice or representation in managerial roles.  

Personally, I haven’t encountered major challenges in this respect, but as a single mum, balancing home and work life can be tough. Moorepay stands out because they genuinely care about making things work for their employees, which helps me maintain a good work-life balance. 

What role do you think Black History Month plays in raising awareness of DE&I in the workplace? 

I think Black History Month is great for starting conversations. It’s a good reminder that companies should embrace and celebrate all cultures, and Moorepay does a fantastic job of actually acting on these values. 

It’s common for businesses to spotlight DE&I only for a month and consider the job done, but at Moorepay, I see that they’re committed to these values all year. It’s refreshing to work somewhere that genuinely supports diversity beyond just one month. 

In your opinion, how can we ensure that initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion are ongoing and not just limited to special occasions like Black History Month? 

It’s great to celebrate Black History Month and other cultural events, but we also need to think about protecting and supporting everyone’s differences year-round. For instance, it’s about ensuring that marginalised groups have what they need to thrive at work – fair treatment, resources, and a healthy environment.  

This can mean putting policies and structures in place that reflect everyone’s needs and making sure that support comes from the top down. It’s about celebrating differences and backing that up with real action. 

This year’s BHM topic is ‘Reclaiming Narratives.’ How do you think individuals and businesses can take steps to reclaim their own narrative? 

For me, as a black queer woman, there might be assumptions or narratives placed on me by others, but I think it’s important to create a narrative based on my own values and goals. Reclaiming your narrative is about shaping your life – both at work and at home – based on what you genuinely want to contribute and achieve. 

For businesses, it’s about supporting people’s individuality. By creating a culture where each person’s unique story is valued, everyone can feel empowered to bring their best. 

What advice would you give young black professionals entering the workforce today? 

I’d probably say, first and foremost, know your worth. For young black people, there’s often so much to navigate, and starting out in the corporate world can feel daunting. Personally, I struggled with imposter syndrome, feeling like maybe I didn’t belong in certain spaces. But here’s the thing: most people genuinely want you to succeed and will support you. 

So, don’t ever doubt you should be there – embrace it. Be yourself and know that your unique background adds real value. Diverse perspectives make businesses more dynamic and innovative, and the more variety of voices contributing to a project, the more likely it is to succeed. 

And finally, are there any particular ways you’d recommend for people to learn about different cultures? 

I’d say go and talk to people, ask questions and keep curious. Reading books, watching films, and just learning about people’s lives and experiences can really help. I think it’s important to be patient too; cultural differences sometimes lead to misunderstandings but staying open and curious can bridge that gap. 

If you’re interested in learning about black culture in Britain, I’d recommend Natives by Akala. It covers systemic issues and perspectives that are key to understanding, especially during Black History Month. It’s a heavy read, but one that brings people together in the long run.