Welcome to our hub of exclusive resources and inspiration to help our member organisations celebrate Black History Month and beyond.
Welcome to enei’s Race Equality Hub.
Black History Month 2023
What is the significance of Black History Month?
Black History Month has been celebrated every October in the UK since 1987 and seeks to promote an understanding of Black history. It is also an occasion to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of people of African and Caribbean heritage to British culture and society.
Black History Month UK was initially inspired by Black History Month in the US, which is celebrated annually in February. Despite the similar mission of the two celebrations, the life experiences of Black individuals who have grown up in Britain diverge significantly from those of their counterparts in the US, and the focus of Black History Month UK is on cultures, accomplishments, and perspectives of Black people living in the UK.
While Black History Month only happens once a year, our commitment to promoting inclusion initiatives and workplace support for Black employees extends beyond the month of October.
What is the theme for Black History Month 2023?
The theme for the UK’s Black History Month 2023 is ‘Saluting our Sisters’ and spotlights the contributions of Black women in shaping history and igniting change within our communities. Black History Month UK 2023 will celebrate the accomplishments of Black women across the fields of literature, music, politics, academia, and much more. Read more about the theme on the official UK Black History Month website.
Getting everyone involved
Consulting with staff or network groups on what your organisation does around Black History Month (and other key diversity and inclusion events throughout the year) is key.
A diverse group of people will generate more creative solutions; therefore, senior leadership should aim to consult with all staff members and communicate authentically in a way that inspires trust, loyalty, and wellbeing.
What can you do?
To celebrate Black History Month, enei offers a range of resources suitable for businesses, services, and other organisations that wish to participate. We have put together a useful Quick Guide: Black History Month which includes activities you may wish to consider when planning Black History Month events for your organisation
Our hub of exclusive resources and inspiration has been designed to help our member organisations find the materials they require, easily and efficiently. Our resources relating to race equality subjects have been linked below according to type, helping you to access relevant information for Black History Month as well as the rest of the year.
Some enei resources are for members only. To become a member, please contact us
Resources and information
Employer Guides
- Employee Resource Groups – This guide provides information for employers considering setting up and maintaining internal support organisations referred to as employee resource groups.
- Equality Act 2010 – The Equality Act 2010 was introduced in England, Scotland, and Wales to simplify equality law in Great Britain.
- Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Champions – This guide aims to support employers who intend to appoint diversity, equality, and inclusion champions for their organisations.
- Progressing Underrepresented Ethnic Groups – This guide aims to help companies better understand how to treat underrepresented groups in the workplace.
- Race and Employment – This guide explains the impact of equality and diversity legislation on employment policy, with a focus on issues related to race.
Quick Guides
- Allyship – Race – The purpose of this Quick Guide is to provide an explanation of allyship and race in the workplace.
- Black History Month – Black History Month is observed annually in the UK during October. It was first celebrated in the UK in 1987.
- National Windrush Day – This Quick Guide can be used to help inform your workplace during National Windrush Day.
- Race – Under equality and discrimination laws in the UK, it is illegal for employers to discriminate because of race.
- Race Equality Week – This guide explains the significance of Race Equality Week and provides information on how you might observe it in your workplace.
Recordings
- #BHM2022: Celebrating Intersectionality and Belonging – This session looked at intersectionality as a framework for the transformation of the workplace.
- #BHM2022: Black Inclusion 365 – This panel event conducted during Black History Month 2022 explored how to keep the momentum of the month going all year to promote positive culture change.
- #BHM2022: Why Allyship Matters – This Black History Month webinar explored the role of allies in positive culture change.
- Introduction to Workplace Racial Equality – This event provided a practical examination of three workplace policies dealing with race.
Upcoming events – members only
- 10 October – 11:00 am – 12:15 pm – Panel Event: Accelerating Equity for Black Women – Join this unique online event dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable world for Black women, through exploration of their unique challenges and identification of practical strategies for progress towards equity.
- 25 October – 11:00 am – 12:00 pm – BHM2023 – Guest Interview with Jarell Bempong – Join us for this informative session featuring Jarell Bempong, in celebration of Black History Month.
