Black History Month 2024
With an emphasis on celebrating Black history and correcting historical inaccuracies, the theme for this year’s Black History Month (BHM) is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’. Going beyond stories of slavery and civil rights, this year’s BHM focuses on “celebrating Black excellence in all its forms—whether in the arts, sciences, politics, or everyday life.”
To kick-start the month, we spoke to teachers about who they will be introducing their students to. With figures from military history to dance to space science, their choices reflect the range of ‘narratives’ that can be shared.
Dominic, an engineering and product design teacher, will be celebrating the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American pilots and airmen (including mechanics, cooks and support personnel) who fought in World War II. At a time of racial segregation in the US and facing discrimination themselves, the Tuskagee Airmen protected American bombers and excelled in their military efforts. “They were skilled and courageous, and their expertise was sought after,” says Dominic.
History teacher Maggie tells us that she will be showcasing Lena Horne, an actor, singer and activist from the golden age of Hollywood. A ground-breaking and versatile performer, Horne starred in Hollywood films, TV specials and Broadway shows. She earnt numerous awards and was the first Black woman to have a Broadway theatre named after her. “She defied expectations of fitting into an ‘ethnic mould’; she carved her own path,” says Maggie.
Sam, a physics teacher, will be celebrating a range of Black British scientists, including Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock. In her illustrious career as a space scientist and science educator, Aderin-Pocock has worked for the UK’s Ministry of Defence, co-presented the astronomy TV programme ‘The Sky at Night’ and set up a company, Science Innovation Ltd., to engage children and adults with the wonders of science. “She’s an inspiring champion of curiosity and science,” says Sam.
“My students can’t truly learn jazz, tap or street dance without understanding its history, its vernacular,” explains Marianne, a dance lecturer. This month, she’ll be ensuring her students appreciate the contributions made by the Nicholas Brothers, who wowed audiences with their unique and exuberant style of dancing, and Katherine Dunham, who was an innovative dancer, choreographer and pioneer of dance anthropology.
Black History Month urges us to ‘dig deeper, look closer, think bigger’.
Which pockets of history will you be digging into this month? Whose achievements will you celebrate?
Visit www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk for the latest news and events and BHM resources.