Unleashing the Power of Black Voices: Why This Year’s Black History Month Matters More Than Ever ???

October is here, and with it comes Black History Month! This year's theme, “Reclaiming Narratives,” is close to my heart. It’s about taking ownership of our stories and creating space for Black voices that have been muffled for far too long. This is not just about the past but about shaping how we’re seen today and into the future. ?????

When someone asks me, "Where are you from?" it often feels like a question with layers. For many Black people and many others, especially those living in multicultural spaces, this question can mean many things. Are they asking where I was born, where I belong, or how I identify? ?? My answer isn’t simple. I proudly connect with multiple places—born in Africa, raised in the Middle East, and having lived much of my life in the UK. These experiences shape who I am today, and I feel an equal sense of belonging to all of these cultures. ??

Being Black also means different things to different people. In Africa—particularly in Rwanda, where I have been living for the past year and a half—Black identity is deeply tied to decolonisation and reconciliation with the history of fighting for freedom and overcoming conflict. In other places, Blackness is more about the legacy of slavery and subjugation. It’s difficult to find a global shared Blackness that isn’t marked by discrimination and alienation. Therefore, it is vital to own our voices, to have our agency, and to tell our stories in our own way. Shaping our own perception is key. ????

I recently had a conversation with someone I thought was a person of colour, but they clarified that they don’t identify as such. This got me thinking about all the people I’ve met who looked Black to me or are darker-skinned but strongly deny identifying as Black. Some even get offended by the suggestion. What part of being Black are they rejecting? Is it simply the pigmentation, or is it the broader sense of Black identity, culture, or consciousness? ??

This made me reflect on what it means to be Black for me. One of my favourite lines from the TV show House captures the essence of this feeling. Dr. House asks a Black man with melanoma, “Do you know why you’re Black?” The man responds, “Because God loves me more than he loves you.” ?? While I wouldn’t go that far, the sentiment is powerful. It speaks to the pride that I feel in my identity.

For too long, being Black has been associated with negative stereotypes—seen as insufficient, inferior, or defined solely by skin colour. This month, I choose to reclaim that narrative. I celebrate my Blackness, not as a badge of honour, but as a core part of who I am. As Nina Simone once sang, it’s fantastic to be “young, gifted, and Black.” ?? While I may no longer claim to be young (though I hold onto it tightly!) or gifted (my mother would disagree), I am proud to say that I am Black—and that is enough. ???

But being Black is not just about pigmentation. It’s about shared experiences, struggles, and triumphs. Being Black means more than skin tone—it’s about the stories we tell and the histories we reclaim. ????

Having your own agency is one of the highest forms of confidence and self-determination. It’s not only essential for survival but also for thriving. I want my two little girls to grow up as confident, strong, and caring young Black women. I want them to be free from the shackles of discrimination, the weight of stereotyping, and the need for self-justification. But the question is: Will the world let them? ????

As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s acknowledge Being Black is more than enough. Let’s own that. ????

This October, I invite you to reflect on your own narrative. Let’s celebrate the richness of our identities and reclaim our stories. Together, we can reshape how the world views Blackness and how we view ourselves. ???????

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