The theme for Black History Month 2026 is honouring our communities which focuses on everyday people, their contributions and the support networks that shape Black communities.
Everyday people often get left out because there is so much focus on celebrity. I have met many people during my journey as founder of Ethnicity Pay Gap Campaign. Those people who are doing the work without recognition and those who do get the recognition and use their platform to enhance our Black communities.
The theme honouring our communities, made me think about mothers and their contribution. Mothers are the backbone of communities, often taken lead roles in supporting many aspects of the community, looking after elderly people, taking care of young children, support their local church etc. Mothers are often the unsung heroes of our communities, giving their all to the families and their communities. My mother who is now 82 is still doing her bit support an elderly lady, support the family and supporting churches, even ones she does not go to.
When I was young there was a place called Provedence House that young people could go to. I never went there but my brothers did. It was a place to hang out, play music. It was a hub that many children and adults used to engage with others within the community. Community interaction is often online now, not to be viewed negatively, it has the ability to let people know what is going on in there area, local events that bring people together. It also allows for online activism, Ethnicity Pay Gap Campaign is on TikTok did you know that? Many charities, support groups, not for profit organisations who support the Black community are also on TikTok and other platforms.
Black History Month brings laser focus on Black people’s contribution and encourages us to celebrate their achievements which of course we should. We don’t however, have to wait for Black History Month to celebrate our achievements we should use our platforms big and small to celebrate and encourage unity, creating a structure that can allow us to have a louder voice in our community and wider sphere of which we live.
We are all part of Black History, whether seen or not. We all have events and experiences that shape our life. Our lives are recorded in history, more so since the advent of the internet. Each facet of our lives contributes to Black History powering the future.
Our Black History is universal and powerful!