Black History Month 2023: Saluting Our Sisters

Throughout this month of October, the UK will be celebrating Black History Month. The theme of this year is ‘Saluting our Sisters’, which highlights the crucial role that Black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities.

Black people have always been at the forefront of social justice movements, fighting against oppression and paving the way for change. Yet, the achievements of Black women, in particular, have too often been overlooked or forgotten, despite their countless contributions to society, That is why, this year, the UK will celebrate the exceptional achievements of Black women, by showcasing pioneering Black women who have made remarkable contributions to literature, music, fashion, sport, business, politics, academia, social and health care, and more.

This year, the UK’s Black History Month will feature a national poetry competition and an education pack, providing students with opportunities to learn about and celebrate the contributions of Black women throughout history. Click here to find out more.

SALUTING OUR SISTERS

Fair Play Talks has featured several of our Black sisters who are championing diversity and inclusion in the UK’s business space over the last few months, and can provide great advice on how to improve recruitment, retention, belonging and inclusion of Black and other minority ethnic groups. They include:

•  Lydia Amoah, CEO of cultural change agency BACKLIGHT and Founder of The Black Pound Report, demonstrates the untapped economic power and potential of Black and multi-ethnic consumers.
•  Founder of the Ethnicity Pay Gap campaign and Ethnicity Pay Gap Day, Dianne Greyson, highlights why it’s time for businesses and the UK Government to take real action to close the ethnicity pay gap by paying Black, Asian and ethnic minority workers fairly.
• UK diversity champion and leadership coach Jenny Garrett OBE, provides key insights on how to be an ‘actionable’ ally to your Black colleagues at work.
• The BBBAwards’ Co-Founder Melanie Eusebe, who has smashed through steel ceilings both in the entrepreneurial and corporate world, shares why allyship and sponsorship have been key to her success.
• Commonwealth Secretariat’s Adviser on Climate Change and diversity champion Uzoamaka Nwamarah, shares why she is encouraging girls and youth from minority backgrounds to pursue STEM careers.
• Hannah Chukwu, Editiorial Director at Dialogue Books, shares her passion for championing the voices of underrepresented authors worldwide, as well as the challenges and opportunities for Black people and minorities in the publishing industry.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY

Black History Month was first celebrated in the UK back in the eighties and more recently in Ireland (Cork) in 2010. In the UK, it was first organised in London in 1987 by Ghanaian analyst Akyaaba Addai-Sebo; who had served as a coordinator of special projects for the Greater London Council. Today, it is celebrated in most regions across the UK.

There are many activities taking place this month to celebrate the contributions of Black, African and Caribbean people in Britain – past and present – organised by companies, councils and community organisations. This includes the Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards). In fact, The BBBAwards recently announced 2023’s shortlist of outstanding Black talent in the world of business. Many Black women and men are making an extraordinary contribution to the UK economy and inspiring future Black generations. Some of this year’s finalists, featured in Fair Play Talks include:

• Chloë Downes, Founder of SHFT, who shares how she is making the influencer talent management industry more inclusive. Read more here.
• Dr Azzedine Dabo, Investigator at global biopharma company GSK, who shares how he is proactively encouraging inclusion in biopharma. Click here to read more.
• Alexis Cepeda Maule, Managing Director of UK and Europe at Reformation, shares why she is championing fair and transparent opportunities for all. Read more here.

RELATED ARTICLES

The Black British Business Awards announce 2023’s finalists.