Foster with Bucks supports Black History Month with a series of Special Newsletters
Every October is Black History Month in the United Kingdom - a month to highlight the achievements and successes of the Black community, to celebrate their contributions to the UK and a great opportunity to focus on and learn about the important Black historical figures who helped make Britain what it is today. Black History Month is the annual celebration and commemoration of moments in history, achievements and contributions that Black people have made.
First brought to the UK in the 1980s, Black History Month was initially introduced to the country by a member of the Greater London Council, Akyaaba Addai Sebo. Since 1987, Black History Month has been celebrated annually in the UK, to eradicate discrimination and encourage racial equality.
At Foster with Bucks, we will be running a series of special newsletters on this very topic, as we will speak to many prominent black individuals - no spoilers, good things come to those who wait - on the theme of looking after yourself mentally and physically.
Why is Black History Month Important?
Studies revealed that 60% of Black professionals still experience racism in the workplace, so a key motivator behind Black History Month is to highlight how people from such communities have made pivotal contributions to society.
It has also been reported that 25% of people find that assumptions are made about their abilities, character or behaviour due to their race. Such statistics emphasise the importance of Black History Month. The event brings to light how Black people are both uncredited in our history books and undervalued in the workplace.
Origins of Black History Month
The origins of Black History Month can be traced back to the 1920s in the United States of America where it was first celebrated as 'Negro History Week'.
Back in 1926 Carter G Woodson, the son of former slaves in New Canton, Virginia, founded the first 'Black History Week' in the United States of America. He worked to promote the history of Black people in schools and wider society his entire life.
Black History Month was then expanded throughout the USA and took place in this context, for the first time in 1970. It was held at Kent State University and for the first few years mainly took place in education establishments, especially those with a high proportion of African-American students.
It wasn’t until 1976 that the then President of the United States, Gerald Ford acknowledged the awareness month and urged Americans to “honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history”.
UK vs USA
Black History Month in the UK differs slightly from Black History Month in the US in a few ways, most noticeably the US celebrates it in a different month.
The first Back History Month was celebrated in February 1970 in Ohio, USA, and came to the United Kingdom nearly twenty years later in 1987.
Flash-forward to contemporary Britain, where the UK will see thousands of events across the country from exhibitions to workshops and seminars to theatre productions. Although the event originated from the States and came with a heavy focus on American Black history, it has gradually become more British centred, with many events from recent years focussing on the theme of Windrush, the story of hundreds of Caribbean settlers who came to the UK more than 70 years ago.
In 2022, the theme is ‘Black Health and Wellness’, recognising the achievements of Black health and wellness practitioners.
What Young People Think
Check out the video below, with some of Young Scot's volunteers talking about Black History Month including what it means to them, what they want it to achieve and more.
Learn More About Black Scottish & British History
Read about the Black British history you may not have been taught in school in this BBC article.
Historian David Olusoga explains what he believes Black history is really about and how the UK has been shaped by it.
Contributors to BBC's 'The Social' have made helpful and educational videos about being Black and Scottish, and how Scottish history has been shaped by Black people.
The video below was made by Laura Cripps and explains how Glasgow's streets still bear the mark of Scotland's links to the transatlantic slave trade.
If you found this article insightful and are celebrating Black History Month, why not get in touch with us and tell us what you're doing? We're available at [email protected].