Black History Month: Chair's Introduction

Black History Month: What is it, and why does it matter? By Marianna Masters

Every October, Black History Month invites us to pause, reflect, and honour the legacy of Black communities in Britain and Black people oversees who have shaped our culture. But in 2025, with so much unfolding around us, from rising far-right rhetoric to the continued marginalisation of Black voices, it’s not enough to simply mark the occasion. We need to ask: why does this month matter, and what are we doing with it?

For me, Black History Month is about truth-telling. It’s about challenging the narratives that have left Black British history on the margins and making space for stories that have always deserved centre stage. It’s about honouring the brilliance, resilience, and leadership of Black communities—not as a footnote, but as a foundation.

This year’s theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” speaks to that legacy. It reminds us that Black excellence isn’t rare, it’s constant. It’s not something to be spotlighted once a year, but something to be recognised, respected, and woven into the fabric of our national story.

And that story belongs to all of us. Black history is British history. From the Windrush generation to today’s changemakers, Black communities have shaped every corner of our society. But we still live in a country where racism—both overt and insidious—continues to harm lives and limit opportunities.

We still see media narratives that centre whiteness, school curricula that ignore Black voices, and public discourse that tolerates hate—including, just this weekend, the appalling remarks by a Reform UK MP who said it “drives her mad” to see adverts “full of Black people, full of Asian people.” That kind of rhetoric isn’t just offensive—it’s dangerous. It reminds us why Black History Month remains urgent, and why silence is never an option.

That’s why I’m proud that Fabian Women’s Network is using this moment to honour Black women of the past—women whose courage, creativity, and leadership paved the way for so many of us. Their stories deserve to be told, not just as history, but as inspiration. This blog series is our way of celebrating them, learning from them, and making sure their legacy lives on.

Black History Month is not a box to tick. It’s a call to remember, to listen, and to act. Not just this month. Every month.