Honouring Black History Month 2025: Standing Firm in Power and Pride

This October, as Black History Month unfolds across the UK, we join in celebrating the 2025 national theme: "Standing Firm in Power and Pride." It's a powerful tribute to the resilience and contributions that have shaped Black British communities. This year also brings conversations around "Legacies with Action," reminding us that Black British history is a living story rooted in both joyful pride and courageous activism.

At its core, Black History Month in the UK seeks to bring marginalised stories into the centre of our national life. From the untold lives of Black Tudors, Georgians, and Victorians to the Windrush pioneers and today's changemakers, this is an invitation to discover stories of identity and belonging, all woven into Britain's fabric.

From a Simple Scarf to Courageous Conversations

Small objects can open the most oversized doors to discussion. A simple scarf in a child's hands doesn't hold magic, but it can become a meaningful prompt for the stories you share. Sometimes it's a royal cloak, a scientist's coat, or an artist's banner. The scarf isn't the lesson; it's the invitation to begin one, helping your family journey into conversations about identity, fairness, and courage.

Conversation Starters for Your Family

To support your family's conversations this October, here are a few gentle prompts inspired by this year's themes:

Sparking a Confident Self (Identity): "Can you tell me a story about someone in our family who is brave or kind?"

Exploring Our Wonderful World (Diversity): "Shall we listen to music by a Black British musician? How does it make you feel?"

Talking About Fairness (Justice): "Can you think of a time in a story when a character wasn't treated fairly? What happened?"

Becoming a Helper (Action): "What could we do if we saw someone being left out of a game?"

Resources to Guide Your Journey

This year brings a wealth of powerful new tools for families. Here are a few to help you embed these stories into your everyday life:

Black History Month Resource Pack 2025: New for this year, this official pack is a treasure trove for home learning. Inside, you'll discover animated films, downloadable audio stories featuring heroes like Mary Seacole, and beautiful posters, all linked to the curriculum.

The Black Curriculum: Offering transformative workshops and resources, The Black Curriculum is an essential guide for families seeking to embed Black British history throughout the year. Be sure to check their calendar for online and in-person events.

BLAM UK (Black Learning Achievement and Mental Health): With a focus on the link between cultural identity and wellbeing, BLAM UK offers excellent free history worksheets and resources that are perfect for use at home.

Books for Young Readers: You can build a bookshelf that reflects the world with beautifully curated lists from Puffin Schools and the Scottish Book Trust, featuring inspiring stories by Black British authors and illustrators.

Let's make space for these stories, not just in October, but all year round. By weaving pride and action into our family life, we help our children see that history is not just something to remember; it's something we all have a part in continuing, every single day.

With warmth,

The Storytime Scarves Family