Why Black History Month Matters Now More Than Ever
What Black History Month Actually Is
Black History Month happens every October in the UK. It started in 1987 when Akyaaba Addai-Sebo brought the idea over from America. The goal was simple: celebrate Black British culture and history that wasn’t getting much attention elsewhere.
It’s not just about looking backward. It’s about education, representation, and having conversations that matter. Schools, workplaces, and communities use this time to learn about contributions that often get overlooked and to think about how we can do better going forward.
Why We Still Need It
You might wonder if we still need a dedicated month in 2025. The answer is yes. Despite progress, racial inequality still shows up in employment, education, healthcare, and criminal justice.
Movements like Black Lives Matter brought these issues into focus, but social media attention doesn’t fix systemic problems. Black History Month gives us a chance to go deeper than headlines – to actually learn, listen, and keep the conversation going when the news cycle moves on.
Why Representation Changes Everything
When people see themselves reflected in leadership roles, history books, and success stories, it sends a message: you belong here. Your story matters.
Black History Month helps counter harmful stereotypes by highlighting diverse role models – business leaders, artists, scientists, teachers, athletes. This visibility matters for young people, especially, but it also helps everyone understand the full picture of who contributes to society.
It’s also about preserving stories that might otherwise be forgotten. From Mary Seacole to Stormzy, Black Britons have shaped this country in countless ways. Acknowledging those contributions isn’t just political correctness – it’s accuracy.
How People Actually Celebrate
Thousands of schools, councils, and businesses across the UK mark Black History Month through assemblies, workshops, exhibitions, and talks. Many organisations also use October to look at their own inclusion efforts and figure out what needs to change.
Here’s something worth noting: According to research from Johns Hopkins and Great Place To Work, when workplaces foster cultural inclusion, employees are 30% more likely to want to stay, and 70% more likely to recommend the company to others.
Why Speakers Make a Difference
One of the best ways to make Black History Month meaningful is to bring in someone who can tell stories that stick. Not someone who recites facts, but rather someone who connects history to today’s reality and help audiences understand why it all matters.
We work with speakers who can do exactly that, whether they’re talking to school students, corporate teams, or community groups.
Speakers Who Bring History to Life
Our speakers combine personal experience, historical knowledge, and the ability to start conversations that continue long after the event ends.
Nova Reid – An anti-racism activist and author who helps organisations move from awareness to actual change. She’s particularly good at helping people understand what allyship looks like in practice.
David Olusoga offers a powerful lens on British history, telling stories that have long been erased or ignored. Through his work as a historian and broadcaster, he helps audiences see how the past still shapes the present, and why reckoning with that truth is essential for building a better future.
Dr Makaziwe Mandela – Eldest daughter of Nelson Mandela and Founder of the House of Mandela
These speakers create moments that shift how people think about race, history, and their own role in creating change.
Making It Matter Beyond October
The point of Black History Month isn’t to check a box in October and forget about it for eleven months. The goal is to start conversations and create changes that last.
Good speakers understand this. They don’t just educate – they inspire ongoing action. They help organisations think about inclusion as a year-round commitment, not a one-off annual event.
Why This Still Matters
Black History Month continues to matter because the work isn’t finished. Inequality still exists, stories still get overlooked, and young people still need to see examples of what’s possible.
October gives us a focused time to learn, celebrate, and reflect. But it also challenges us to listen better, act more thoughtfully, and grow as individuals and organisations.
If you’re planning a Black History Month event – whether for your workplace, school, or community – think about bringing in someone who can make it memorable for the right reasons. Someone who can turn an annual obligation into a genuine opportunity for learning and change.
The conversations that happen in October can shape the actions that happen all year long. That’s what makes it worth doing well.
Explore our Black History Month Speakers and let us help you create a meaningful celebration.
