Black History Month (BHM) has been recognised in the United Kingdom and celebrated annually since 1987, when it was marked with an event hosted at the Commonwealth Institute.

The tradition began in the United States, with its origins in the 1920s and 30s when a week in February was selected by the historian Carter G. Woodson as ‘Negro History Week’ (see: Library of Congress: February is Black History Month). This informal celebration of ‘Black history’ became formally recognised by the US Government in 1976, when President Gerald Ford urged all American people to, ‘seize the opportunity to honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history.’

Since then, the celebration of a BHM has spread to both Canada – where it is also celebrated in February – and the UK, where the month of October was chosen as BHM.

There is no single official organisation which runs or organises BHM in the UK. A huge range of organisations including universities, local authorities, voluntary groups, museums and libraries take part in planning and running events. There is however an online and print magazine that provides a point of focus for BHM celebrations and events. Each year it provides a selection of BHM introductions written by thought leaders and parliamentarians. This year includes introductions from Lord Woolley of Woodford and Cherron Inko-Tariah MBE. Previous years have had introductions by Kemi Badenoch MP; Dawn Butler MP; Ed Davey MP; and Lord Boateng.

Parliamentary Questions

On 9 October 2024, during oral questions in the House of Commons, Dawn Butler MP (Lab) asked the following:

October is Black History Month, and the theme this year is “Reclaiming Narratives”… The Prime Minister will be having an event at No.10 this evening. Does he agree that it is important that we continue to have a debate on the Floor of the House in Government time on Black History Month?

The Prime Minister responded:

…[t]his is a really important initiative. It is important that it is being marked and I am very pleased to be hosting the event this evening, to which I think my hon. Friend is coming.

Following the Commons business statement of 10 October 2024, Dawn Butler MP raised a question on the significance of BHM. The following exchange took place:

Dawn Butler MP (Lab): Warm birthday wishes to the Leader of the House. I welcome the announcement that Black History Month will be debated in Government time. I hope that the decision has been made for perpetuity, so that no matter the colour of the Government, the debate will always happen. This year’s theme is “reclaiming the narrative.” Last week, I posted a poem, “Of the first ones”, on my social media platform. It received a lot of support and some wonderful messages, but also a lot of racist abuse. Researchers at the Natural History Museum have stated that “scientists are sure that homo sapiens first evolved in Africa”, so “reclaiming the narrative” might also mean resetting the narrative. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is important to debate such subjects as Black History Month, so that we have an even greater understanding of history?

Lucy Powell MP (Lab) (Co-op): I thank my hon. Friend for using an opportunity at Prime Minister’s questions yesterday and on other occasions to ask for a debate about Black History Month. It is thanks to her and colleagues’ efforts that we have been able to announce that debate today, so I pay tribute to her. I am sure the issues she raises will be discussed during that debate. It is vital that the narrative is reframed, and that we expose the attitudes she describes on social media and elsewhere, which are fuelled by ignorance and hate, and put an end to them.

Black British history resources

The Black British History website, operated by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, provides a selection of useful resources.

One of the sites linked to on the Black British History website (‘The Black Presence in Britain’ website) provides a timeline of key moments in Black British history.

The Parliament website also provides a timeline of ‘Parliament and the British Slave Trade’.

The Historic England website provides a timeline of the slave trade and abolition. 

Relevant Library publications

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