As you may know, October is when we celebrate Black History Month.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the same without remembering one my favourite poets, the late Benjamin Zephania. But this time I’m focussing on a book which looks at some of the remarkable achievements of members of the black community. Each of 366 daily entries can be found in David Olusoga’s Black History for Every Day of the Year. If you’ve watched ‘House Through Time’ you’ll be familiar with this popular historian and broadcaster. Now, together with his siblings Yinka (a lecture in education) and Kemi (an artist and historian), he has compiled a fascinating history.
To give a flavour of the work here are just three entries: 1925, Evelyn Mary Dove, who was born in London, was the first black singer to feature on BBC Radio. She starred in more than 50 episodes of the musical variety radio show ‘Serenade in Sepia’ and went on the present numerous productions. In 1939 she was given her own show ‘Sweet and Lovely’;
1945 musician and song-writer Robert Nesta Marley was born in Jamaica. He began making music and in the 1960s started a band with reggae, ska and rocksteady influences. He became a Rastafarian which further influenced his music and lyrics. There isn’t room here to go into detail, but in 1978 the UN awarded him the Peace Medal of the Third World.
1987, AkyaabaAddai-Sebo launched the first Black History Month in the UK. Born in Ghana in 1950, Addai-Sebo had travelled to study in America where national ‘Negro History Week’ had been celebrated each February since 1926. After moving to the UK he worked on the idea of creating a version, starting in October each year, so black British children could learn about their own history.
There are, of course lots more: Nile Rodgers, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali – some you may know many others you won’t have heard of. So, if you want to explore black history, or are simply just fascinated by all people, David’s collaborative work is certainly worth exploring.
The theme for Black History Month UK this year is ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’. According to blackhistorymonth.org, this stands as a tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe. This year, the theme highlights the profound contributions made by Black people: leaders, activists, or pioneers who have shaped history.
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