Black History is British History

The first Black History Month in the UK was held in October 1987. Inspired by Black History Week in the US, which later became Black History Month, Akyaaba Addai-Sebo envisioned a similar initiative in the UK—a way to tell the stories of Black individuals from the Caribbean and African diaspora who have woven themselves into the fabric of British society.

Over the years, Black History Month has evolved into a fixture in both educational and corporate spheres, joining Irish Heritage Month (March), Asian Heritage Month (May), Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller History Month (June), and South Asian Heritage Month (July 18 - August 17) as important celebrations often overlooked in mainstream history curricula.

Yet some still question its relevance.

• Why do we need a month?
• Why don’t we celebrate Black history year-round?
• Why can’t we simply celebrate British history?

These questions are valid and deserve thoughtful, nuanced answers—best explored in spaces that allow deeper discussion of the Black figures and movements, both celebrated and controversial, that have shaped British culture.

Looking back, history reveals a Black presence in the UK for millennia. Evidence of African individuals in Roman Britain, including African soldiers, traders, and officials stationed along Hadrian's Wall from 43–410 AD, showcases early instances of cultural integration.

In the Tudor era (1500s), John Blanke, a Black trumpeter, performed at major royal events, including the funeral of Henry VII and the coronation of Henry VIII. His portrayal in the Westminster Tournament Roll is one of the earliest images of a Black person in British art.

During the Elizabethan era of the 1600s, Black people, often referred to as "Blackamoors," were part of daily life in cities like London. Although the term would become contentious over time, Black individuals in this period were sometimes household servants or entertainers and even worked as skilled labourers.

The 1700s saw the rise of abolitionist voices. Ignatius Sancho, an author, composer, and abolitionist, became the first Black Briton to vote in a British election. Olaudah Equiano, also known as Gustavus Vassa, was a prominent abolitionist whose autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, offered a powerful account of slavery from the perspective of a formerly enslaved African. Other abolitionists like Mary Prince and Robert Wedderburn also made significant contributions.

Black men served in the British military from the 16th to the 19th century, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815). Known as “Black Jacks,” many Black sailors were essential to the Royal Navy and merchant fleets, fighting in pivotal battles such as the Battle of Trafalgar and leaving an indelible mark on naval culture, songs, and traditions.

Many in Britain are familiar with Mary Seacole (1805–1881), the nurse who cared for soldiers in the Crimean War and whom many regard as crucial to nursing's development, alongside Florence Nightingale. What often goes unmentioned is Seacole’s savvy business acumen, which supported her impactful medical work.

Seacole and Equiano were once included in the National Curriculum and faced removal—a proposal that met with strong opposition, highlighting the importance of including non-white voices in pivotal chapters of British history.

Other notable figures include Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875–1912), the composer known as the “African Mahler,” and Dido Elizabeth Belle, who challenged narrow definitions of British identity in their time.

Dido Elizabeth Belle and Lady Elizabeth Murray by Johan Joseph Zoffany (1776)

Black heritage has contributed to British culture, from arts and media to business, politics, education, sports, and entertainment. Notting Hill Carnival, for example, remains the largest street festival in Europe, drawing some two million attendees annually—surpassed only by Rio de Janeiro's Carnival. Both events emerged from a rich tradition of music, dance, costume, and storytelling that resisted oppression and colonialism in the Caribbean and South America. The vibrant displays of soca, masquerades, j'ouvert, dutty mas, steelpans, and elaborate floats echo the Caribbean carnivals brought to Britain by the post-war migrants aboard the SS Ormonde, SS Almanzora, and Empire Windrush.

Events like the Black British Business Awards, UK Black Business Week, Black Talent Awards, Black Business Magazine, and the Powerlist spotlight Black professionals and entrepreneurs, emphasising their significant economic contributions.

In essence, Black History Month has a distinct role in the UK. Alongside other heritage months, it’s not about choosing one identity over another but embracing a both/and approach. We can be Black and British and be proud of both identities and contributions, just as other heritage communities in Britain do.

This history contains both proud and painful moments. Embracing this complex past allows us to create a more inclusive present and future. Here’s to more celebrations of Black history as an essential part of the rich tapestry that is British culture.