Every October, Black History Month celebrates the untold stories, cultural contributions and the huge impact Black and other POC communities have had on the UK.
Last year during the height of the pandemic, IRL events were replaced with online talks, workshops and screenings, and this year the official Black History Month organisers are laying on a mixture of online events and in-person events across the UK.
You can search events in your local area here, but for those who would rather get involved from home, we’ve rounded up our picks of the best online ones (and loads of them are free!).
CHECK OUT: UK Black History Month 2021 online events
Black History Month events 2021
1 of 9In Conversation With Annabelle Steele (Being Amani), hosted by Hashtag BLAK #BlackLove #BlackJoy #BlackMentalHealth
A great way to kick off the month's celebrations, this promises to be a joyful discussion with Being Amani author Annabelle Steele, talking about everything from relationships to mental health.Find out more here.
2 of 9Black Hollywood – The Early Years of African Americans on Film
Fancy yourself as a bit of a film buff? Take a tour back in time to some of the earliest films featuring Black stars and learn about films made specifically for Black audiences. Find out more here.
3 of 9Why Solange Matters: Why Music Matters with Stephanie Phillips
Far from being merely the younger sister of the world's biggest star, Solange is a powerful artist in her own right, and this talk explores why her political activism and unpredictable career trajectory matters in 2021.Find out more here.
4 of 9The Story of Afro Hair
Afro hair has a long and interesting history, and this online film looks back as far as Ancient Egypt, to the first manufacturer of Black hair products in the UK and contemporary hairstyles.Find out more here.
5 of 9Exploring Britain’s Black LGBTQIA+ history
Join this talk to explore LGBTQIA history through a specifically black lens, away from often whitewashed events like Gay Pride, and hear moving personal stories. Find out more here.
6 of 9Self-Reflection and Healing Workshop
Feeling frazzled after an incredibly challenging two years? Warrior Reminder founder Ash Alves is delivering a centering workshop which promises to a chance to "disconnect externally and reconnect internally."Find out more here.
7 of 9Anti-racism: A British tradition
Anti-racism is nothing new. The term rose back to prominence during the 2020 BLM riots, but the sentiment has been around far longer. This fascinating talk will require your thinking cap. Find out more here.
8 of 9Decolonising Music (Black History Month Edition)
Where would music be without Black influences? Learn about how traditional African music has been 'colonised' and how to make more mindful choices when it comes to making and listening to new music. Read more here.
9 of 9Black women, self-image and relationships in the era of Love Island
Love Island has face a lot of criticism over its continued lack of diversity when it comes to female contestants. Expert and scholar Siya Mngaza looks at the misogynoir prevalent in these contexts.Find out more here.
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Love Island fans will be particularly excited about Black women, self-image and relationships in the era of Love Island, with the event details stipulating, "Many Black women find themselves turning away from shows like Love Island and other representations of black women in UK media, that depict us as being ‘chosen last".
Back in 2019, Love Island's Yewande Biala stood before the digital, culture, media and sport committee to give evidence to MPs alongside 2017 Islander Marcel Somerville to discuss "representations of race, gender and body image and contestant preparedness for life after Love Island".
Fast forward two years and two series and in 2021 Love Island faced continued criticism about the number of "blonde haired, blue eyed" women it cast for the villa.