Black History Month

Frequently asked questions

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When was Black History Month set up in the UK and by whom?
Akyaaba Addai Sebbo is widely regarded as the person who set up Black History Month in the UK. Addai worked with Ken Livingstone at the Greater London Council (GLC) as co-ordinator of Special Projects. The first event was held on 1st October 1987, when the GLC hosted Dr Maulana Karenga from the US to mark the contributions of Black people throughout history.

Addai then drew up a plan to recognise the contributions of African, Asian and Caribbean people to the economic, cultural and political life in London and the UK. Since 1987 as part of African Jubilee Year, other boroughs began to formally institute this as Black History Month in the UK.

Who celebrates Black History Month? Can anyone participate, or is just for Black people?
Black History Month is open to participation by everyone and is ideally developed, delivered and managed as an educational and historical awareness experience by Black people Ð African, Asian and Caribbean heritage Ð and should be shared by everyone as world history.

Why do Black people need a history month?
In an ideal world, the month would not be necessary, because educational establishments and the national curriculum would fully recognise and appreciate the contribution of black people throughout history. Sadly that is not the case.

The Black community uses this history month as an opportunity to share with the world its vast contributions: a time to demonstrate pride in its creativity, respect for its intellectual prowess and a celebration of its cultural identity which is far too often misrepresented, when it is not being ignored, in the mainstream.

Related links
For more information visit the Black History Month website Link to an external websitewww.black-history-month.co.uk

CONTACT DETAILS
• UNISON's national race equalities officer is Pav Akhtar.
UNISON Black History Month
1 Mabledon Place
London WC1H 9AJ
Email: p.akhtar@unison.co.uk
Photograph of Gloria Mills
"Black History Month enables us to benefit from the goodness of our multi-cultural society. And it allows us to remember the achievements of those who challenged the norm and struggled to make the world a better place"
Gloria Mills, retiring TUC president and UNISON's spokesperson on equality