This October, London will come alive with vibrant celebrations, educational initiatives, and cultural events as the nation commemorates Black History Month. This year’s theme is “Celebrating our sisters, saluting our Sisters, and Honouring Matriarchs of Movements in British Society”, putting the spotlight on the remarkable contributions and legacies of Black women throughout history.
The month-long festival, first celebrated in the UK in 1987, raises awareness of history and celebrates traditions, customs, and cultures through educational events, exhibitions, shows, talks, memorial services, and installations across London.
Black History Month should serve as a platform to amplify the voices and stories of Black British women, honouring their significant contributions to all aspects of life in the UK while addressing the ongoing challenges they face. It’s a time to celebrate achievements, raise awareness, and foster unity and understanding among all communities.
Black History Month 2023 highlights the importance of recognising the pivotal role that Black women have played in shaping British society. It is a time to reflect on their achievements, acknowledge the obstacles they have overcome, and salute their enduring legacy.
Throughout history, Black women have achieved extraordinary feats in various fields. From literature to music, politics and sports, Black British women have made lasting marks on British culture and society.
Black women have been at the forefront of social justice movements, advocating for equality, justice, and human rights, it’s important to acknowledge their courage, determination, and tireless efforts to effect positive change.
Sheroes Among Us – highlighting contemporary black women who are breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes in their respective fields.
Pioneering Voices – featuring black women who have used their voices to speak out against injustice, with quotes from their speeches or writings.
Innovators and Entrepreneurs – showcasing black women who have made significant strides in business and entrepreneurship.
Breaking Barriers – featuring black women who have broken down barriers in sports, entertainment, politics, and other fields.
Women Who Move Mountains – celebrating black women who have made significant contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields
Women Who Lead – showcasing black women who have made significant contributions to leadership and governance.
This Black History Month, explore some of London’s citywide events celebrating the Black communities that have shaped our city. From exhibitions, black-led markets, and beautiful performances to feed your eyes and ears, we have chosen just a handful of incredible events that are happening over London this October.
– On the hunt for literary gems by Black writers? Meet fellow bookworms at the Black British Book Festival. 27-28 Oct
– Join Black-Owned Hackney Market for a weekend-long celebration of Black-owned businesses at Bohemia Place Market. Featuring a mouth-watering selection of food, drinks, retail items, and live music. 5 – 7 Oct
– Comedy Shutdown brings Comedy of Black Origin, a Black History Month Special with some of the best comedians in the business. Multiple dates and locations.
– Claudette Johnson, a founding member of the Black British Arts Movement, is the focus of the current exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery — Claudette Johnson: Presence is a retrospective showing off 30 years of her large-scale drawings of Black men and women. 29 Sept – 14 Jan
– Breaking Barriers: Black History, Queer Voices & Resilience. Head down to the Brown Suga – Black History Month Party for an evening of voguing workshops, DJs and special performances into the early hours. 21 Oct
Looking for more events across London? Head to the BHM official website.
This March, we host an interactive breakfast D&I activity for our Office Support clients within the Media and Creative Industry.
This workshop will aim to break down misconceptions and stereotypes and participants will have the opportunity to learn about the stereotypes behind certain identities as well as explore ways they can use their privilege to be effective allies to their colleagues, employees, and stakeholders – especially those from marginalised groups.
We’ve shaped this session to bring an intimate group of the creative industries’ Senior PAs, EAs, and Office Managers together.
Date: Tuesday 28th of March 2023.
Time: 9.00am – 10:00am
Venue: WeWork, 1 Mark Square, Shoreditch EC2A 4EG
Join us for this informative session whilst enjoying pastries, refreshments and an opportunity to network with your peers across the industry.
To register or find out more, please contact our ED&I Recruitment Specialist Daniel Asaya via daniel.asaya@impact-london.com
As part of our Social Impact Programme, we partnered with Inspire to co-facilitate a financial literacy workshop for Year 7 students at Clapton Girls’ Academy – a well-known East London-based secondary school.
Inspire! Is a local charity and education business partnership working in the London Boroughs of Hackney, Camden, Islington and beyond. Inspire! provide work experience, work-related learning and additional support programmes to young people aged 3 to 24. Impact is one of the 1000s of employees who work alongside Inspire, volunteering time each year to help young people in the local area to develop and understand the skills needed for their futures.
The workshop was designed to help 11-year-old students understand how to manage money responsibly, and develop budgeting and problem-solving skills. It was also designed to help them develop confidence in making responsible financial decisions.
Here’s what our ED&I Recruitment Specialist, Daniel Asaya had to say about this inspiring workshop:
“It felt absolutely rewarding to have volunteered for Inspire on behalf of Impact. The workshop kicked off with introductions (name and profession) in a manner the students would understand – this involved breaking down lots of information in a simple yet interesting manner.
The students were super responsive, engaged and positive throughout. Thanks to the teachers for their support in coordinating the room.”
“There were lots of interesting activities but one that stood out was the “In 10 years” task – where the students were asked to imagine their lives at 21 years old. What they might be doing – where they might be living or spending their money on. They were then asked to create and present a character which included a lifestyle and spending habits around ‘needs’ and ‘wants’.”
More so, it was very impressive to see the students come up with a widely diverse set of characters including a Trans, Bisexual character who lived in London, had an iPhone and owned a house. This was brilliantly presented to the class and received a positive reception by their peers. Experiencing this moment of consciousness and social awareness from 11-year-olds was fantastic to see, and gave us hope for a more inclusive and welcoming society.
Impact will be continuing into 2023 holding a placement partnership with Inspire as part of our Social Impact Schedule.
If you are interested in learning more about our social impact initiatives or future ED&I events/discussions, please email Daniel.asaya@impact-london.com