As Black History Month kicks off, we find ourselves immersed in a wave of text, books, films, and media, all important in sharing Black history. Schools, organisations, and the charity sector share uplifting images, celebrating Black contributions to our culturally rich society. But one question keeps coming back to me. Why are we only celebrating the countless Black communities, for just one month a year?
This thought hit home recently when I was talking to my daughter about all the events and collective stories being shared, only in October. It reminded me of a training session I delivered with my wonderful co-director last month. In one of her slides, she had crammed lots of white historical figures, then calmly asked the audience, “What if you only had one month a year to learn about white history?” The silence in the room spoke volumes. It’s almost unimaginable, right? And yet, that’s what happens to Black History every year.
Don't get me wrong, I love the cultural energy that fills the air during this time. I immerse myself in the scents of home cooked meals, inspired by our rich heritage, and I’m excited at the artistic celebrations popping up across my town. But I’m not grateful for just this one month of focus. When I (We) are driven to honour Black history every single day.
Reclaiming the narrative to me, means embedding Black stories into the everyday fabric of our lives. It’s about making sure future generations don’t just look forward to learning about Black history once a year but instead grow up being represented by these amazing stories as part of their daily lives. The truth is, Black history is embedded into every thread of our collective story. Why limit it to just one chapter?
This month let's enjoy the cultural events, but let's also commit to keeping these stories alive all year round. Black history is every day. Let’s keep telling it.
As part of our ongoing mission to reclaim and celebrate Black history every day, I’m excited to announce the next chapter of our Library of Stories. This will be a collection of local chapters featuring the voices and experiences of those from the global majority who have played a vital role in shaping our shared history. These stories, often untold, will spotlight the incredible journeys of our global majority. If you would like to share your story, please get in touch we’d love to hear your story! Watch this space for more details.
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