I think many people misunderstand Black History Month (BHM). What it is, why it exists, and why it still happens every year.
BHM didn’t happen out of the blue. It is rooted in data, history, and context. And for that reason alone, it remains deeply important that this month continues to be recognised globally.
At its core, BHM exists to recognise, celebrate, and teach the history, achievements, and contributions of Black people that have often been overlooked, minimised, or erased from mainstream education and historical narratives.
It matters because it helps correct historical gaps. Traditional curricula have consistently underrepresented Black figures and stories. This month brings them forward. It honours contributions across science, politics, business, music, literature, and social movements. It acknowledges struggle and resilience, from slavery and colonialism to segregation and modern-day inequality. And it creates space for education, reflection, and honest dialogue about race and justice today.
In the UK, BHM is observed in October. In the US and Canada, it takes place in February, and as today is the 1st of February, this may be relevant.
Last year, I heard a lot of frustration from Black founders and creatives. Companies pulled back support. Fewer speakers were booked. Fewer partnerships were signed. BHM was less visible overall, and many people were very disappointed. That disappointment is valid. But I also think we are in a moment where we need to return to first principles and refocus on organisation.
I grew up in Ireland, and I only learned about BHM around 10 years ago. In Africa, BHM isn’t a thing. But in Europe, the UK and especially in the US, Black populations are minorities, often dispersed across cities like London, New York, and Paris. In those contexts, Black History Month takes on a very different and important meaning.
The truth is, there is still deep injustice in the world. There is still a significant lack of education about all races. And more importantly, there is a persistent and measurable wealth gap along racial lines. Collectively, Black people sit at the bottom when it comes to global wealth distribution. For these reasons, Black History Month matters.
Black people have faced generations of struggle, segregation, slavery and colonialism. More recently, there has been a deliberate distortion of conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion. DEI has been weaponised by people who refuse to understand its purpose, often to suggest that Black and underrepresented people are less capable or less deserving. The reality is very different. We follow curricula designed by the West. We attend the same schools. We operate within the same systems.
DEI is not about handouts. It is about equal access to opportunity, regardless of race, gender, colour, or ethnicity. And the uncomfortable truth is that, in today's world, equality and equity still do not exist. While this piece is not explicitly about DEI, it is deeply connected to why Black History Month still matters.
I believe we are at a point where Black people globally need to organise more intentionally. We need to come together. We need to build enterprises. We need to fund those enterprises. And we need to buy from those enterprises. This is not new. Other groups have done it and succeeded. Over time, that is how wealth gaps are closed.
Some of it is already happening, even if it is not always visible. Talking about money remains taboo in many of our communities. Many people build wealth quietly, in part because of the so-called Black tax (another conversation for another day). When people know you are doing well, everyone wants a piece of it.
But when more people prosper collectively, the dynamic shifts. The goal is not to fight over a small pie. The goal is to make the pie bigger so that everyone wins. In some ways, it saddens me that we still need BHM. It gives us space to educate, reflect, and highlight the contributions Black people have made across generations, in cultural, economic, scientific, and social spheres.
Over the next 28 days, I encourage anyone reading this to do their own independent research into why BHM was created, particularly in regions where Black people remain a minority.
I hope that one day, within my lifetime, we no longer need Black History Month. But we are not there yet. There is still too much to learn, too much to unlearn, and too much to teach.
To Black business owners who rely on large corporations to show up during Black History Month, please do not hold your breath. Many of them do not truly care, and the last few years have made that clear. Instead, the focus should be on building strong, consistent businesses that thrive year-round, not ones that depend on a single month of attention.
To large corporations that genuinely care about equality and equity, my message is simple. Reach out. Learn. Engage consistently. Buy from Black-owned businesses not because it looks good, but because they are the best at what they do. And to my Black brothers and sisters, I want to see a culture of excellence. I will not support a business just because it is Black-owned. I want to support it because the product is exceptional, the service is world-class, and the value is undeniable. When we are excellent, people do not buy from us out of obligation. They buy because they have no better option.
So while I would love to see Black History Month become unnecessary one day, today is not that day. Today, we celebrate. We educate. We organise. And we remind the world why this month exists.
Until then, happy Black History Month.
I often don’t write pieces like this, but this one has been in my head for a while, and I wanted to let it out. If you enjoyed reading it, feel free to share it. If you disagree with it, well, thanks for reading.