How to Celebrate Black History Month at Work

Why This Matters in Your Workplace

Black History Month happens every October, and it’s a chance to recognise contributions that often get overlooked in standard history lessons. But in 2025, changing your logo or posting a quote on LinkedIn isn’t enough.

If you’re going to do something for Black History Month at work, make it count. Done well, it can start conversations that continue beyond October, help employees feel more included, and actually teach people something they didn’t know before.

One of the most effective approaches is bringing in someone who can share real experiences and insights rather than just reading facts from a website.

Bring in speakers who know what they’re talking about A good speaker can make Black History Month feel relevant rather than like a history lesson. They might share personal stories, talk about lesser-known historical figures, or explain how race shows up in today’s workplace.

Topics that work well include:

• Stories from Black British history that schools and mainstream media don’t usually cover
• What it’s actually like to navigate race at work
• How to be a useful ally (not just a well-meaning one)
• Celebrating Black achievements in business, arts, politics, and other fields

Speakers can also handle Q&A sessions, which give people a chance to ask questions they might not feel comfortable raising otherwise.

Get people involved. Try activities that get people participating:

• Book clubs featuring Black authors
• Film screenings followed by discussion (not just watching and leaving)
• Sharing food, music, or stories from different cultures
• Quizzes about Black history (but make them interesting, not patronising)

The goal is to make learning feel normal rather than like a special occasion that happens once a year.

Connect it to your existing diversity efforts Black History Month shouldn’t exist in isolation from everything else your company does around inclusion. Use it as a starting point to look at your diversity training, leadership development, or workplace policies.

A speaker can help connect historical context to current workplace challenges, which helps people understand why black history matters and how it affects their daily work.

Create space for honest conversation Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is let people talk. Consider hosting:

• External speaker events to inspire
• Employee panels where people share their experiences
• Q&A sessions about topics like unconscious bias or microaggressions
• Discussion groups where people can listen and learn

The key is making sure these conversations feel safe. Skilled speakers can facilitate these discussions without making people feel attacked or defensive.

Connect it to your existing diversity efforts Black History Month shouldn’t exist in isolation from everything else your company does around inclusion. Use it as a starting point to look at your diversity training, leadership development, or workplace policies.

A speaker can help connect historical context to current workplace challenges, which helps people understand why this stuff matters in their daily work.

Create space for honest conversation Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is let people talk. Consider hosting:

• External speaker events to inspire
• Employee panels where people share their experiences
• Q&A sessions about topics like unconscious bias or microaggressions
• Discussion groups where people can listen and learn

The key is making sure these conversations feel safe. Skilled speakers can facilitate these discussions without making people feel attacked or defensive.

Make online events actually engaging If your team works remotely, you can still host events where people can participate. Use breakout rooms, polls, live Q&A, or other interactive elements to keep people engaged.

Many speakers are experienced with virtual events and know how to keep energy up when people are watching from their living rooms.

Share resources people can explore on their own Not everyone learns the same way or feels comfortable in group settings. Create a collection of resources people can access individually:

• Podcast recommendations
• Reading lists (but make them accessible, not academic)
• Short video series
• Space for employees to share their own stories or recommendations

This approach lets people engage at their own pace and in their own way.

They bring both knowledge and experience The speakers we work with combine personal experience with professional insight. They’re not just reading from Wikipedia – they’re sharing stories that matter and knowledge that comes from actually living through or studying these issues.

Whether you want someone who can explain historical context, share personal experiences, or offer practical advice about workplace inclusion, different speakers bring different strengths.

They’re focused on creating change, not just awareness Good speakers don’t just want to educate people – they want to inspire action. They offer practical tools, encourage reflection, and help people understand what they can actually do differently.

The goal isn’t just to make people feel good about attending an event. It’s to help them think and act differently afterward.

Celebrating Black History Month at work is about more than checking a box. When you do it thoughtfully, it can help people understand history they weren’t taught, start conversations that need to happen, and build a workplace where more people feel like they belong.

The difference between a token gesture and something meaningful often comes down to bringing in someone who can make the topic feel relevant rather than abstract.

If you’re planning something for October – or any other time of year – think about what you want people to take away from it. Then find someone who can help you make that happen.

Explore our roster of Black History Month Speakers and get in touch to discuss your event with one of our experienced agents.