Black history month in the UK began in 1987 by Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, who moved as a refugee from Ghana to the UK in 1984. Prior to this date, black British people were experiencing elevated levels of marginalisation and racism, coming to a head with the Brixton, Tottenham and Toxteth riots. The year was chosen because it was the 150th anniversary of the abolishment of slavery in the Caribbean and October was chosen as it is traditionally a time when African leaders come together to share news and because coincided with the start of the school year. The event itself took some inspiration from the US Black History Month in February.
The first BHM event was held on October 1st 1987 in collaboration with the Greater London Council (where Addai-Sebo was employed as the Special Projects Officer) and featured Dr. Maulana Karenga, the originator of Kwanzaa (a holiday created to reaffirm and restore the communitarian visions and values of African culture) as a speaker.
Our interview with current University of Bolton Students' Union President Uchenna Victor Moses included a discussion of figures, role models and books that inspired him; Important figures: Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950, an American historian and author who was the forerunner for Negro History Week in 1926 at Washington D.C., an event that was a precursor for US Black History Month in 1976 which in turn inspired UK Black History Month in 1987)
Akyaaba Addai-Sebo (1950-present, a Ghanaian analyst, journalist and activist who is credited with launching Black History Month in the UK in 1987)
Role models for 'Celebrating Our Sisters' theme: Sarah Parker Remond (1826-1894, an American lecturer, activist and abolitionist campaigner who travelled around the US and the UK delivering anti-slavery lectures)
Book Recommendation: Atinuke & Kingsley Nebeche (2023) Brilliant Black British History, Bloomsbury Publishing https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/brilliant-black-british-history-9781526635716/
Our interview with former University of Bolton Students' Union President and current Accountancy PhD candidate and tutor Boluwatife Oyesola also included discussion about figures and resources that inspired her;
Important figures:
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (1954-present, first black female Director-General of the World Trade Organisation & first female Finance Minister for Nigeria)
Mary Kenner (1912-2006, American inventor who invented and patented the adjustable sanitary belt)
Michaela Coel (1987-present, British actress, filmmaker, singer and composer who created two award winning TV shows 'Chewing Gum' and 'I May Destroy You')
Initiatives:
Bolton Lads and Girls Club https://www.blgc.co.uk/
Bolton Rotary Club https://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=1894
YouTube Black Creative Voices https://blog.google/intl/en-africa/company-news/technology/meet-the-youtube-black-voices-creator-artist-singer-and-songwriter-class-of-2023/
Role models:
Madame C. J. Walker (1867-1919, African American entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist who is widely reported to be the first female self-made millionaire first black female US millionaire)
Judi Love (1980-present, English stand-up comedian and presenter)
Literature:
Trevor Noah (2016) Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, John Murray Press https://www.waterstones.com/book/born-a-crime/trevor-noah/9781473635302
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