Black History Month is an annual event first originating in the United States of America, after being expanded in 1970 and then being officially recognised by the United States government in 1976. Since 1976 every US president has officially designated February as Black History Month. In the United Kingdom, Black History Month was first celebrated in October 1987 as part of the African Jubilee Year to recognise the cultural and economic contributions people from African and Caribbean backgrounds make in the UK.
Despite the fact that many historians claim that people from African and Caribbean backgrounds have been in Scotland for over 1,800 years and have been contributing to the United Kingdom for centuries, their value and contribution to society is often overlooked and unappreciated. It is for this reason that Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, a Ghanaian born analyst who was working as a coordinator of special projects for Greater London Council in 1987, set out to formally recognise October as the United Kingdom’s Black History Month.
Black History Month is intended to recognise the contribution and achievements of those with African or Caribbean heritage and other BAME backgrounds. However, it has also become an opportunity for people to learn more about the effects of racism, marginalisation and exclusion. Many educational institutions such as Cambridge University and the University of St Andrews use this month to provide a platform for BAME academics to hold talks on Black history and cover topics such as racism, effects of slavery, Britain's colonial past, art, music, important personalities and reconciliation.
The UK Government, the Scottish Government and various non-governmental organisations such as the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER) have made continuous progress in recognising the importance of Black History Month to BAME communities. It’s great that Government’s across the United Kingdom are recognising & celebrating Black History Month. Although some UK Government funding is available for local organisations to help mark Black History Month in their area; more funding, support and awareness campaigns are needed for Black History Month to be a continued success, especially in Scotland.