The first article in our five-part series on Black History Month 2025, and black communities in the UK, and an example of how The Community Revolution turns community pride into real power.
Why Black History Month matters
Black History Month (BHM) is more than a celebration, it’s a vital space for reflection, recognition, and reclamation. In the UK, BHM has evolved from a niche observance to a powerful platform for understanding the complex, often overlooked, contributions of Black people to our national identity. Yet its true significance lies in addressing a critical gap: the systemic erasure of Black voices in mainstream narratives.
For over 400 years, the UK has marginalised the histories, struggles, and achievements of Black communities, creating a legacy of silence that continues to impact social equity today. BHM forces us to confront this erasure head-on, transforming passive awareness into active engagement. As research shows, 92% of policy briefs for African Caribbean communities led to tangible changes in local communities, proof that when Black stories are centered, real impact follows.
Why “Power and Pride: Standing Firm in Power” matters
This month, we explore the theme “Power and Pride: Standing Firm in Power”, a concept that moves beyond superficial unity to address the distinct yet interconnected power structures Black communities navigate in the UK. True empowerment isn’t about uniformity; it’s about recognising how African Caribbean communities have historically faced unique challenges, ranging from housing discrimination to economic exclusion, while simultaneously building resilience through cultural identity.
This theme is necessary because it challenges the false narrative that Black communities are monolithic. Instead, it celebrates the diversity of experience within Black communities while affirming shared humanity.
In this context, Umoja (Swahili for “unity”) and Ubuntu (Zulu for “I am because we are”) become powerful frameworks. Umoja reminds us that strength comes from collective action, like the ACNA Centre’s decades-long work fostering community cohesion. Ubuntu teaches us that individual dignity is intrinsically tied to collective well-being. Together, they form the foundation for a movement where Black communities don’t just celebrate their uniqueness but actively shape their future.
Why this is the first of a five-part series
This article is the first in a 5-part series designed to ignite pride, dialogue, and action across all Black communities in the UK.
Each piece will:
- Celebrate cultural heritage (e.g., Jamaican, Angolan, Nigerian traditions)
- Highlight systemic barriers faced by Black communities
- Showcase community-led solutions (like ACNA’s historical work)
- Promote unity without erasing diversity (using Umoja and Ubuntu as guiding principles)
- Drive policy change through user-generated stories (e.g., “What’s one policy change you’d make for African and African Caribbean communities?”)
This series isn’t about homogenising Black experiences—it’s about honoring differences while building bridges. As one ACNA member explained: “We don’t just provide [support]; we create spaces where people leave better from when they came through the door.” This is the spirit we aim to embody: pride rooted in truth, unity forged in diversity.
The ACNA Centre: A legacy of resilience and community
The Afro-Caribbean National Artistic Centre (ACNA Centre) in St Ann’s, Nottingham, is a living testament to this philosophy. Founded in the 1940s–1960s during a time of severe racial discrimination, ACNA emerged from the need to create safe spaces for African Caribbean communities. When housing, education, and employment were systematically denied, Black groups formed the West Indian Nationals Association (WINA), National Association for Coloured Development (NACD), and others to advocate for change.
By 1971, ACNA had become a hub for social cohesion—hosting a Supplementary School, welfare advice, youth camps, political meetings, and senior citizen clubs. Its cultural significance is profound: in Jamaican Patois, ACNA is described as tallawah “small but mighty”—a phrase that captures its enduring impact. Today, the centre continues this legacy through events like Jamaica’s 60th Independence celebrations, where it hosts ecumenical services and community reunions.
The ACNA story teaches us that power isn’t found in isolation—it’s built through shared purpose. As Enid Lee-Brown, ACNA’s secretary, emphasized: “We don’t just provide support; we create spaces where people leave better from when they came through the door.” This is the essence of Umoja in action: small, intentional community efforts that ripple outward.
Angolan Women Voice: Empowering through Unity
While ACNA’s legacy is rooted in historical struggle, the Angolan Women Voice Association UK (AWVA) embodies the present-day application of Umoja and Ubuntu.
Founded in 2021, AWVA works to empower Angolan women and communities through digital literacy, mentorship, and cultural exchange.
Their work is deeply community-driven: weekly meetings at All Souls Community Centre in Nottingham bring together women from diverse backgrounds to share stories, learn practical skills, and build collective resilience. Refreshments are provided by Tiger Community Enterprise CIC, and their workshops include art, crafts, and discussions on social justice. Crucially, AWVA focuses on intergenerational unity—ensuring that younger women gain confidence while older women share wisdom.
AWVA’s approach reflects Ubuntu’s principle: “I am because we are.” By creating spaces where women can uplift one another, AWVA transforms vulnerability into strength. As one participant noted: “We don’t just solve problems—we build community.”
Why this series matters now
The UK’s Black communities face unprecedented challenges—rising inequality, systemic discrimination, and climate injustice. But they also possess a profound capacity to lead change.
This series is designed to:
- Celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of Black communities
- Highlight the unique challenges they face
- Showcase community-led solutions that drive real impact
- Promote Umoja and Ubuntu as frameworks for unity without erasure
As The Community Revolution’s values dictate, “working with stakeholders to co-create solutions that address challenges facing beneficiaries” is the path forward. This series isn’t just about awareness, it’s about action.
By centering Black voices, we don’t just honor the past; we build a future where power and pride are shared, not separated.
Join us in the journey
This is the first of five articles in our mission to transform how Black communities engage with power, pride, and progress.
Share your story with us: What’s one policy change you’d make for both African and African Caribbean communities?
We’ll feature the best stories in our Kwanzaa series—because true unity begins with dialogue.
Together, we stand firm in power.
