Black History Month 2024

During October, we’re excited to be celebrating Black History Month 2024. This year’s theme, ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, focusses on inviting Black communities to actively shape and share their own stories, taking ownership of how their histories are told.

There are lots of ways you and the people you support can participate. Check out some ideas below…

Support people to get involved

We want the people we support to feel part of Black History Month and there are lots of ways you can support people to learn, celebrate and reflect.

1. Explain Black History Month to the people you support using our easy-read resource. 

2. Create art inspired by Alma Thomas:

• Share the artist’s story: You can access an educational video about Alma Thomas and share this with the people you support in a way that is accessible to them. Alma Thomas was the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Her art celebrates beauty and joy, focusing on positivity rather than hardship.
• Gather your materials: Use coloring pencils, pens, or paints, along with some paper.
• Get inspired by Alma Thomas’ style: Alma Thomas’ art is known for its bright colours and abstract patterns. Try using bold, colourful strokes while leaving some white space to let the paper show through. You can find some examples of her work by clicking here.

3. Hold your own celebration – empowering people at your service to celebrate the Black community. 

4. Make use of Learning Disability England’s accessible resources, exploring the theme of racism, as told by Black people with support needs, and learn more about the history of the Black Lives Matter movement. Just follow this link: Black History Month – Learning Disability England  

Don’t forget to share what you’re up to on Viva Engage using the hashtag #BlackHistoryMonth2024. We will update this page with any new resources shared by our networks, so keep your eyes peeled!

Attend an event with the people you support

The official Black History Month webpage has a fantastic directory of Black History Month events and events created by Black individuals, taking place during Black History Month and beyond. Click here  to see what’s happening in your area.

Join our Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Colleague Inclusion Network

This is a space for colleagues to come together and ensure our organisation is representative of diverse communities – welcoming members and allies to share their important voices. Email ColleagueInclusionNetworks@c-i-c.co.uk to join.

Immerse yourself in the narrative

This year’s theme, ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, invites us to celebrate Black voices and stories. There are a host of books and podcasts you can enjoy, written and told by members of the community…

Books 

• The official Black History Month website recommends a range of books by Black British authors.  

• Oprah Daily recommends 25 books by Black authors to read in your lifetime. 

We recommend some standouts below: 

• Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire (by Akala) 
• Between the World and Me (by Ta-Nehisi Coates) 
• Black and British (by David Olusoga) 
• Swing Time (by Zadie Smith) 
• There Ain’t No Black In the Union Jack (by Paul Gilroy) 
• Sister Outsider (by Audre Lorde) 
• Slay In Your Lane (by Elizabeth Uviebinené and Yomi Adegoke) 
• Things Fall Apart (by Chinua Achebe) 
• Who’s Loving You (edited by Sareeta Domingo) 
• How to be an Antiracist (by Ibram X. Kendi) 
• Homecoming (by Yaa Gyasi) 
• Honey and Spice (by Bolu Babalola) 
• This Is Why I Resist (by Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu) 
• The Heart of the Race: Black Women’s Lives In Britain (by Beverley Bryan, Stella Dadzie & Suzanne Scafe) 
• Soledad Brother: The Prison Letters of George Jackson (by George Jackson)
• Are Prisons Obsolete (by Angela Davis) 
• You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty (by Akwaeke Emezi) 
• Girl, Woman, Other (by Bernadine Evaristo) 
• All About Love (by bell hooks) 
• The Bluest Eye (by Toni Morrison) 
• The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colour-Blindness (by Michelle Alexander) 
• Dark Matters: On the Surveillance of Blackness (by Simone Browne) 
• Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism (by President Kwame Nkrumah) 
• An American Marriage (by Tayari Jones) 
• The Sellout (by Paul Beatty) 
• Children of Blood and Bone (by Tomi Adeyemi)
  

Podcasts 

• Code Switch 
• Black Scot Pod 
• Black History Bites 
• Good Ancestor Podcast 
• Say Your Mind by Kelechi Okafor 
• The Read 
• Therapy for Black Girls Podcast 
• Black Girl Songbook 
• Dear Culture 
• Balanced Black Girl 
• Black Gals Livin’ 
• Black Women Travel Podcast 
• Brit(ish) Podcast 
• About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge 
• Two Twos Podcast 
• Stories That Stick 
• Dope Black Women 
• Goal Diggers 
• Off the Cuff Pod 

Support a Black-owned business

Click here to visit Black2Business – a directory of Black-owned businesses across the UK.

The Strategist lists 101 brilliant Black-owned, UK-based businesses you can support.

Rayo also list a range of Black-owned businesses.

Don’t forget – ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ is about people sharing their own experiences, so we encourage you to share what Black History Month means to you, by posting on Viva Engage using the hashtag #BlackHistoryMonth2024.

Look out for more updates and ways to get involved throughout October.