About Black History Month, UK
Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, founder, arrived in Britain from Ghana after fleeing political corruption and soon joined the Greater London Council [GLC] in 1985 where he worked in the Ethnic Minorities Unit during the leadership of Ken Livingstone.
He designed a programme for “Britain to pay tribute and recognise” the contributions of Africans and people of African descent to the political, economic and social life across Great Britain and Europe.
The Founder
Formal Celebration of Black History Month
Black History Month was formally celebrated in February to mark the birthdays of the great abolitionist Fredrick Douglas and President Abraham Lincoln, who supported the abolition of slavery.
Akyaaba said the efforts of his American counterparts, who had been telling their own stories for more than a decade, were the very thing that inspired him to draft the proposals that would lead to Britain’s own Black History Month.
Black History Month in Britain was born in October to align with the “spiritual significance of the autumn equinox of Africa and the African way of life”.
Our Vision and Mission
Vision: A thriving community where inclusion, diversity, and equity are not just celebrated, but actively championed by individuals and organisations. We envision a space where remarkable contributions are recognised and appreciated, fostering a collaborative environment that drives progress towards a more just and equitable future.
Mission: We honour and uplift the unsung heroes within our community. Through our annual awards, we recognise those who make meaningful strides towards advancing inclusion, diversity, and equity. By shining a light on their inspiring work, we aim to inspire continued progress and celebrate the individuals and partners who are steering positive change.
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Annual Celebrations
Reached and engaged
Over The Years
Our journey has been a remarkable one. From our early online beginnings, Black History Month 2020 was our first test to how well we will work together. Today, we have evolved into a vibrant organisation known for impactful and innovative Black History Month celebrations.
Our commitment to delivering knowledge and making a real difference within our communities has been steady. Each event, whether it's a thought-provoking workshop, a powerful awareness campaign, a captivating production, or impactful media engagement, has been carefully crafted to educate, inspire, and empower.
Through strong partnerships, impactful projects, and resolute advocacy for social justice, we have built a strong reputation for delivering on our promises. We are immensely proud of the progress we have made and the positive impact we have had on our community all year round.
This is an action-packed month with our main events highligting the national theme for the year as well as a chosen one we se fit to align with our messaging.
