By Anhelina Shamlii
On 25 October, the LSE Students’ Union (LSESU) hosted its annual Black History Month formal at the Staff Common Room in the Old Building. The black-tie event welcomed dozens of guests and featured poetry, live music, archival displays, and a special appearance by BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter Richie Brave.
This year’s theme, ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, was chosen to emphasise the importance of revisiting and re-evaluating the contributions of Black leaders, from historical figures to contemporary entrepreneurs. Through live music, soul-touching poetry, and visual storytelling in the form of archives presented by the LSE Library, the evening aimed to highlight diverse perspectives and celebrate the legacy of Black people.
A key moment of the evening was a thought-provoking interview segment with Richie Brave, led by LSESU’s General Secretary, Tito Molokwu. Brave delivered an inspiring message, emphasising the importance of valuing Black leaders not just during Black History Month, but throughout the entire year.
This year’s celebration is a part of LSE’s annual Black History Month celebration. Last year’s theme, ‘Celebrating Our Sisters and Honouring the Matriarchs of Movements’, focused on the crucial role of women in shaping society. Building on that foundation, this year’s theme broadens the scope, paying tribute to a wider range of Black leaders, both historical and modern.
This year, the LSE community organised over 13 public events throughout October aimed at celebrating and acknowledging the significance of Black History Month. Other events included networking and archive discovery sessions.
Black History Month is an annual observance that originated in the United States in the 1920s and was adopted by the UK in 1987. The UK celebration was initiated by Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, a Ghanaian refugee who arrived in the UK in 1984. He aimed to challenge racism, honour the history and achievements of Black people, and create greater awareness of their cultural heritage, following the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean.
Today, Black History Month acts as a reminder of the necessity of recognising and learning as much as possible on the historical and contemporary achievements of Black Leaders all around the world.
