It is a celebration of the past achievements and contributions of the Black community across the UK and around the world. It acknowledges the vital role of Black communities in shaping the nation’s past and present, enabling us to confront the ongoing issues of racial inequality and systemic discrimination.

It acknowledges the vital role of Black communities in shaping the nation’s past and present, enabling us to confront the ongoing issues of racial inequality and systemic discrimination. The theme this year is ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’. Celebrating the strength, resilience, and continued progress of the Black community, highlighting our contributions and looking towards a future of greater empowerment and unity. This should encourage us to learn more about the events and experiences that inspired change in the past, whilst celebrating those that contributed to engendering change and the freedom that we all enjoy today. We should be stirred into action like others before us to continue to challenge and fight for the rights of people in the Black and Minoritised communities, in the current hostile environment to migrants in the UK.

Personally, Black History Month is a time for me to reflect on my experience as a black man in the North East, and how diverse and multicultural the region has become in my time here. I moved to the North East over 30 years ago from London, and at the time, there were not as many people that looked like me as there are today. I could go several days without coming into contact with a black person. Racism and racial attacks were rife, and like some of my Black and Brown friends, I found myself on the verge of leaving the region several times. Fast forward thirty years, travelling around the North East now, I see Black and Minoritised people daily, going about their business, gainfully employed in various occupations, all contributing to the beautiful cultural tapestry of the North East.

Black History Month 2025 will honour key anniversaries, including the 60th anniversary of the Race Relations Act and the assassination of Malcolm X. These milestones serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice, and the tireless efforts of those who have fought for the rights of Black people and communities. Equally, there are some present-day unsung heroes here in the North East, going about their business without much recognition, supporting the rights of established Black residents like me to live here peacefully, and the integration of new residents to our region from Black and Minoritised communities, often at personal costs to themselves and their organisations. Their contributions will remain a vital part of the continuing journey toward social justice and dignity for all.

This year’s theme is also a call to action and invites individuals and communities to help shape a world where Black voices are heard, valued, and celebrated. In my role at North East Law Centre, we support clients from Black and Minoritised communities to regularise their immigration status. In the course of supporting our clients, we encounter several challenges, not least because the current UK immigration system is designed to support a hostile environment for migrants. There have been several major changes to immigration rules over the past 5 years, with more changes proposed to take effect over the coming months, that would disproportionately impact Black and Minoritised communities. Also, the negative media rhetoric on migration, normally endorsed by politicians mainly on the Right, is now increasingly (and disappointingly) used by the Labour government.

Last year’s riots, although not a complete surprise to most of us, were nonetheless devastating for people from Black and Minoritised communities. The recent far-right demonstrations across the UK and in the North East, and the three separate racial attack incidents on our clients over the past month, are once again sharp reminders of the gravity of the work ahead towards dismantling the barriers to racial equality and inclusion.

As we celebrate Black History Month this year, the call to action is a commitment from everyone (individuals and organisations) to the work of the North East Anti-Racism Coalition (NEARC). The movement was established in response to last year’s riots to engender a more inclusive region where we and our fellow human beings can thrive. As a movement, we are working with others to help dismantle the barriers to racial equality and inclusion, and to challenge and change the prevalent negative rhetoric about migration that minimises the contributions of Black and Minoritised communities.

A core value of this year’s theme is Pride. For me, it is about knowing where we come from, embracing our history, and walking boldly into the future without compromise or apology. I am proud of my black heritage, and despite some unsavoury experiences in the past and ongoing challenges, I love living in the North East. It is a beautiful part of the UK with some of the most amazing, warm and welcoming people. My son, born and raised in Newcastle, calls it home, and like others from Black and Minoritised communities, we are here to stay to contribute to the region.