Black History Month 2026

There is no single official organisation which runs or organises Black History Month (BHM) in the UK. A range of organisations including universities, local authorities, national institutes, charities, international NGOs, museums and libraries recognise Black History Month, and some take part in planning and running events.

There is an online and print magazine that provides a point of focus for BHM celebrations and events, overseen by Editor in Chief Cherron Inko-Tariah MBE.

The theme for Black History Month 2026 is Honouring Our Communities, sharing inspiring stories of Black British life, achievement and service.

The 2026 BHM Magazine includes an introduction from Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, and a poem dedicated to Professor Arday, written by a close friend. To recognise the fact that Black history is not only made through landmark events or by famous names, this year the BHM Resource Pack includes a major new exhibition celebrating 54 people who have made a meaningful contribution to communities and to British life. Resources for schools from Key Stage 1 – 4 are also included.

The BHM magazine website lists four police forces as “Diversity Champions”; West Midlands, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, and Merseyside Police.

In Scotland, the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights leads co-ordination of the programme of events for Black History Month in Scotland. BHM Scotland have published a range of resources, including a policy briefing.

Background

Black History Month (BHM) has been recognised in the United Kingdom and celebrated annually since 1987.

The tradition began in the United States, with its origins in the 1920s and 30s when a week in February was selected by the historian Carter G. Woodson as ‘Negro History Week’. This informal celebration of ‘Black history’ became formally recognised by the US Government in 1976, when President Gerald Ford urged all American people to,

…seize the opportunity to honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history.

Since then, the celebration of a BHM has spread to both Canada – where it is also celebrated in February – and the UK, where the month of October was chosen as BHM.

Black British history resources

Black Cultural Archives (BCA) website provides a wide range of subject guides and detailed timelines (including Enslavement, Resistance and Abolition, and Medicine, Race and Activism), in addition to the BCA’s online and physical archives in Brixton, London.

The Black British History website, operated by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, provides a selection of useful resources. One of the sites linked to on the Black British History website (‘The Black Presence in Britain’ website) provides a timeline of key moments in Black British history.

The Black Curriculum aims to embed Black history in the English national curriculum. They have a range of programmes for young people from 3 – 25 years old. The online resources include lesson plans, a teacher training module, a zine, podcasts and animations.

International Black History Month UK provides resources on their website, including timelines and profiles of notable figures.

The National Archives website’s ‘Black British history’ page provides research guides, resource lists, and archival records.

The Historic England website provides a timeline of ‘the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Abolition’. 

The Parliament website also provides a timeline of ‘Parliament and the British Slave Trade’.

Previous years’ debates

Black History Month – HC Deb 23 Oct 2025 – 773 cc1140-1183

Black History Month – HC Deb 24 Oct 2024 – 755 cc446-498

Black History Month – HC Deb 19 Oct 2023 – 738 cc475-481

Black History Month – HC Deb 28 Oct 2021 – 702 cc223-246WH

Black History Month – HC Deb 21 Oct 2021 – 701 cc1031-8

Black History Month – HC Deb 20 Oct 2020 – 682 cc920-1015

Relevant Library publications

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