Black History Month – October 2023

October is Black History Month in the UK, an event that has been celebrated nationwide for more than 30 years. It is a momentous occasion to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of black people to British society.

It was originally founded to recognise the contributions that people of African and Caribbean backgrounds have made to the UK over many generations. Now, Black History Month has expanded to include the history of not just African and Caribbean people but all black people.

Each year, Black History Month has a theme and this year it is the theme of ‘Saluting our Sisters’ which highlights the crucial role that black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities.

We have listed below just a few of the black women who have helped shape history:

Evelyn Dove
The singer Evelyn Dove achieved a number of firsts throughout the course of her lifetime. She was the first woman of African heritage to be broadcast on BBC Radio in 1925, three years after its launch.

Mona Baptiste
21-year-old Mona Baptiste from Trinidad listed her occupation as ‘Clerk’ on the Empire Windrush passenger list. However, Mona was already an established blues singer at this point. A record from the Colonial Office information we hold provides more information on her career.

Princess Ademola
Before the Second World War, African men and women came to train in Britain to work in British healthcare services. Omo-Oba Adenrele Ademola was the daughter of an important African Chief in Northern Nigeria, and trained as a nurse in London, finishing her training in 1941. ‘Princess Ademola’ as she was known featured in a propaganda film called ‘Nurse Ademola’ and became a nursing role model, not only for Africans but for the British Empire.

Here at Sussex Premier Health, Black History Month 2023 will be both a celebration and a chance to help change practices within the health and social care sector when caring for people from ethnically diverse communities.

#salutingoursisters #WEMATTER