Happy Black History Month!

This is a month to celebrate black heritage and culture and to commemorate the history, achievements, and contributions of African and Caribbean individuals in the UK.

For 37 years, this month has been recognised as a time to reflect on black history and acknowledge those who have fought - and continue to fight - for the rights of black communities as well as embracing black culture and identity here and now.

Timeline of milestones

  • 1807

    Slave Trade Act is passed

    Slavery within the British Empire becomes illegal.

  • 1833

    Slavery Abolition Act is passed

    Slavery is completely abolished throughout the British Empire, and expands the Slave Trade Act which makes the purchase and ownership of slaves illegal.

  • 1857

    Mary Seacole's autobiography

    The first biography is written by a Black woman.

  • 1948

    Empire Windrush

    A ship hailing from Jamaica docks at Tilbury carrying 802 people from across the Caribbean. Its arrival changes the UK forever as hundreds of Caribbean people begin a new life in the country, kick-starting the era of multiculturalism.

  • 1963

    Bristol Bus Boycott

    National attention grows after a Bristol-based company refuses to employ Black or Asian bus crews.

  • 1965

    Race Relations Act passed

    The first legislation in the UK to address racial discrimination is passed.

  • 1987

    Diane Abbott - MP

    Diane Abbott is elected as Britain's first Black female MP.

  • 1987

    Black History Month

    The first UK Black History Month in 1987, led by Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, marked the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean.

  • 1993

    Stephen Lawrence

    Stephen Lawrence's murder uncovers institutional racism in the Met Police.

  • 2016

    Black Lives Matter

    The first Black Lives Matter protest takes place in the UK.

  • 2021

    Daniel Kaluyya - Oscar Award

    Daniel Kaluyya is the first Black British actor to win an Oscar Award.


Reclaiming Narratives

This year's Black History Month is themed around Reclaiming Narratives - a call to shine a spotlight on untold stories and unsung heroes, and put a stop to the trope that misrepresents, oversimplifies, or entirely writes black communities out of history.

By claiming, co-opting, grabbing, and reforming how stories are told, both history and the future can be moulded into a storyline that the Black community are proud of.

Black, queer, revolutionary

The contributions of Black individuals to history, art, and culture are more often than not side-lined, but there is one area where the contributions of Black radicals and trailblazers are unjustly understated: the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement.

Interested in how Black queer individuals and groups have shaped history and built the groundwork for all LGBTQ+ people today?

Find out more

Student with eyes closed laughing and backlit with pink lights

Events

Societies

Join Black student groups to celebrate, learn, and connect.

Afro Caribbean Society

Nigerian Society

BAME Society


Black-owned businesses

Explore and support some of our favourite Black-owned businesses across Sheffield.


Read, watch, listen

Explore our recommended books, films, TV shows, and podcasts to gain a deeper understanding of Black experiences, celebrate Black history and culture, and spark conversations about race and justice.

Books

Film and TV

Podcasts



Your Project Workers

Headshot of Chinenye Okonkwo backlit with purple light

Chinenye Okonkwo

Anti-Racist SU Project Worker

Headshot of Iye Orok backlit with purple light

Iye Orok

Degree Awarding Gap Project Worker

We employ Project Workers to run year-round campaigns, events, and projects on current issues and barriers facing Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students at university.

Find out more about the work of our Project Workers.