Dear Readers,
Black History Month was first held in the UK in 1987. It is widely thought the month was set up by Akyaaba Addai Sebbo, an analyst who worked with Ken Livingston at the Greater London Council as a co-ordinator of special projects.
The first event marked the contributions of black people through history, following which Addai drew up a plan to recognise their input into economic, cultural and political life in the UK.
Black History Month was set up in the US in 1926, where it is held in February to mark the birthdays of two influential figures – US president Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas, a former slave who campaigned throughout his life for racial equality.
October was chosen for the UK as it is a time when children are at school, so helps to instil pride and identity into young people. It is also a month seen as a time of tolerance and reconciliation in African culture.
By: Hannah Osbourne
