As part of our commitment to celebrate identities, embrace diversity and strive for equality, we are marking #BlackHistoryMonth at Highcliffe: this year’s theme is #ReclaimingNarratives. This theme encourages us to shine a spotlight on the untold stories, the unsung heroes, and the everyday individuals who have made an indelible impact on our communities. There is a great African proverb that says: Until the Lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter!   

This year’s theme is “Reclaiming Narratives”. This theme is not just about revisiting and correcting history; it’s about taking ownership of the stories that define our culture, our contributions, and our very identity. It’s a call to action for Black communities across the UK to step into the role of storytellers, historians, and custodians of our heritage. For far too long, our histories have been narrated by others, leading to distorted portrayals that fail to capture the full breadth and depth of our experiences.   

This is why Black History Month is so important. It was set up solely dedicated to acknowledge our contributions throughout history and while we have a month in the UK calendar for us and about us, we need to seize it with everything we have. Racial inequity still exists and Black History should be shared so that our young people are aware of how our contributions have helped to shape UK society and hope that they can dismantle systems that resulted with us needing Black History Month in the first place.   

Black History Month acts as a reminder: As one 16 year old youth parliamentarian told me: “October is the time that we remind ourselves about the contributions of Black people to the cultural, economic and political life of the UK. We then spread that knowledge and advocacy during the other 11 months of the year”   It’s an opportunity to contribute to a collective effort to reshape how Black history is perceived and taught. Together, we can ensure that future generations grow up with a richer, more accurate understanding of Black history that goes beyond enslavement. 

Cherron Inko-Tariah MBE: BHM 2024 Welcome Message