Happy Black History Month! If you’re UK or Europe-based, October is a time for reflection and a celebration of the stories, narratives and successes of Black communities. From music and culture to politics and business, Black History Month explores these sizable contributions and how they’ve transcended across the world.
But what does that celebration look like and how does Black History Month continue to resonate? We caught up with some incredible creators in our community to hear more.
DJ Paulette is a legendary DJ, author and former resident at the seminal Flesh parties at Manchester’s Hacienda in the 1990s. Matty Chiabi is a DJ, radio presenter and Co-Founder of creative platform Girls Don’t Sync. Tash LC is a DJ, NTS Radio resident and founder of club night and record label Club Yeke. Helena Star is a DJ and regular at Foundation FM and Voices Radio. Kikelomo is a DJ, radio host and Co-Founder of Oroko Radio and DJ Marcia Carr is the founder of DJ collective Girlz B Like.
Read on for their perspectives on the meaning of Black History Month.
DJ Paulette
“Black History Month is a time for me to be unapologetically Blackity-Black. It’s a time for reflection, introspection, celebration, education, inspiration and activism. It’s a reminder to give thanks and show gratitude and respect to my ancestors, to my family, friends and colleagues. The time when I try to absorb as many shows and as much art, music, literature and podcasts as I can.
I support Black artists in every way possible. I’m streaming and purchasing music by Black artists; there’s plenty to choose from in any and every genre. Celebrating Black History Month is an opportunity to proactively support Black-owned businesses and yes, buying my Luster’s hair products!
They say you are what you read, so I’m currently (simultaneously) reading We Were There by Lanre Bakare, Zora Neale Hurston’s You Don’t Know Us Negroes and bought Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man the other day. I also have these books queued up: Toni Morrison’s Mouth Full of Blood and Gary Younge’s Dispatches from the Diaspora. Black History Month is a time to celebrate how far we have come and to realistically assess how far we have to go and become active and vocal about how we can achieve those ends. It’s a time to celebrate my achievements and call my friends and tell them I appreciate, love and I’m proud of them too.
I carry the spirit of Black History Month into my career by doing a lot of public speaking engagements / podcasts / interviews and mentoring throughout the month as I think representation is crucial. If you can see it, you can be it. I make special efforts to be the person I needed when I was starting out to others. Using my online platforms, I elevate the stories of Black people, to celebrate Black artists, organisations and professionals, women, non-binary and people of colour and I step this up during Black History Month.
I follow, like, share, engage with and repost more Black artists online during this time. When I’m writing, my research resources are Black academics and writers. When I’m doing playlists for radio shows, I balance the track list. I rest, meditate, exercise and walk in nature. Self-love is a fundamental way for me to celebrate Black History Month and to take care of my mental health. Burn out is most Black creatives’ nemesis.
I would like to see less performative ‘quick it’s Black History Month let’s ask our Black colleagues what we should do in support’ reactions. Much more ‘how can we support Black history all year round’ allyship and responses. Less of the popcorn popping ideas and more ‘all you can eat’ rolling banquet. We’re here every day, not just October! It would be marvelous if when we create events, podcasts, happenings for Black History Month, the creative process is fully respected and our services are not expected to be given for free. This seems to be a huge contradiction – particularly at this time.”
Matty Chiabi
“Black History Month is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the existence and achievements of Black people! It’s about being intentional. Speaking to your Black peers, reading about Black history and understanding the impact that Black culture has had on society. I celebrate by literally basking in my Blackness! I’m so thankful for my Black friends, partner and family.
For many years I was the only Black girl in the friendship group, in the seminar or in the workplace. I had to defend myself or suffer in silence because no one looked like me or could relate to my experiences as a Black woman. I’m really happy to say that I’ve built a life where I’m surrounded by so many Black people who care about me. Who will validate my feelings and allow me to feel seen and heard. That’s something worth celebrating!
However, my industry and its audiences are very white. I could be headlining an event and I’d still feel out of my depth because there’s no one around that looks like me. For obvious reasons, representation is everything. Despite being a minority, I try to stay true to myself and move with confidence. I celebrate other Black DJs, uplift Black artists via my podcast and I won’t stop reminding people that dance music literally comes from Black culture! I’m very proud to be a Black DJ in dance music. Here are some DJs I’ve also been loving recently: Kikelomo, SAIDAH, Heyza, Adele Tondu, Lexii, Vxrgo and Oluwa.MP4.
I feel like Black History Month this year has been relatively quiet. I would like to see more brands using their platforms. Hosting events, talks and creating opportunities for Black people to highlight Black History Month. Society is intentional when it comes to things like International Women’s Day, so I know it’s easily done. People are just choosing not to celebrate Black History Month which is disappointing. To celebrate Black History Month is to also understand the complexities of the Black experience. In doing so, it becomes abundantly clear that we need more than just one month. We need concrete social change!”
Tash LC
“Black History Month means celebrating the Black icons who inspire me and the world. I firmly believe we should be celebrating and recognising Black greatness all year round. But I also think it’s positive to have a focused moment that lets us commemorate the achievements of so many incredible people across the world from so many different disciplines and corners.
The majority of music I play and platform is created by Black musicians and producers. It’s kind of become something unconscious now. My love for Black music is global and I get so excited by discovering music from people who may not be traditionally categorised under the umbrella of Black music. I guess a lot of it is so dependent on where you live and what you’re exposed to musically, whether you’re in the diaspora, how you’ve grown up. Recently I’ve been getting really into Malagsy music from Madagascar which is so different and mad rhythmic. But it may not be the first place a lot of us would think when considering what Black music is.
It would be cool to see more spotlighting in the UK of lesser known Black genres. Sounds like Singeli, Acholi, Garifuna, Gengetone. I love to see art and music coming together in exhibitions like the work that Trinidadian artist Alvaro Barrington does. Especially his involvement with Carnival where he has the Powis Square stage which is always my favourite. It would be nice to see more of those events and communities where the art is inspired by Black music. Especially Carnival music because it’s such a sensory experience.”
Helena Star
“Growing up in a white area, in a school where Black history was not taught, Black History Month was really important to my journey as a young mixed Black woman in the world. An opportunity to learn and to also understand more about myself. An opportunity to see Black people celebrated and a way to armour myself with knowledge on our past, when presented with ignorance.
I celebrate Black History Month by continuing to champion Black voices in my work. Reading more and learning more about our invaluable influence on society. Black History Month is an opportunity to push these stories to the forefront of conversation.
Every radio show or set that I do would not be possible without Black artistry. I’m especially focused on elevating the pioneers of House and Techno, genres which were created by Black and Brown folk. Making sure those records are heard and those artists receive their flowers – and cheques! – is really important to me. I think we have a long way to go in ensuring this is something celebrated properly, a staple in all schools and eventually getting to a point where Black history is seen as everyone’s history, not just ours or something to be boxed into one month.”
Kikelomo
“I celebrate Black History Month every month all year round! Discovering art, music, film, fashion and literature created by our community is a continual endeavour. Weaving references from all the different cultures I represent is how I play my most authentic sets.
As of late, I’ve been looking more and more to the past as inspiration. As well as for information on how to evolve creatively as a community. Whether it’s spaces like the Mbari Club in Ibadan, Congolese Sapeurs or entire movements like Kwaito, Afrobeat, Alté and Highlife, there are countless stories from our predecessors forging new paths and building new worlds for themselves. I think that in order to move forward, you need to be strongly rooted in your past. Understanding the context of what has happened before me is key, for myself but also for the culture.
I would love to see more of the Electronic music industry get behind digging deeper into the Black roots of the sound and ensuring that the pioneers of the culture are recognized and celebrated. Especially in today’s fractured times, getting to know the cultural context behind the dancefloor on a deeper level could be the perfect study on how to bring people closer together again.”
DJ Marcia Carr
“Back in 1987, I was a teenager deep into the world of Soul, Jazz-Funk and House. Spending my Saturday job wages on imports, clothes to impress at all day parties and regular record shop hunts. That same year, Black History Month was first celebrated in the UK. An initiative led by Ghanaian activist Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, tying in with the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean. I vaguely remember the event but at the time, it didn’t register much beyond the headlines for me.
It wasn’t until a few years later, when Black History Month became a recurring fixture each October, that it started to resonate more personally. I began to notice councils supporting local initiatives and a sense of visibility slowly emerging within communities. In one of my previous jobs, I joined a short-lived staff group pushing Head Office to take Black History Month seriously across all their stores. At my branch, one year I took it upon myself to turn our staff canteen into a cultural hub for the day. I cooked Jamaican dishes and asked colleagues to bring food from Ghana, Eritrea and Morocco. Meanwhile, a manager added souvenir items from their holiday trip to Trinidad. We created a vibrant display that stayed up all month. But what struck me was that without my effort and that of one other colleague, nothing would have happened.
Unlike celebrations like Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid, Diwali, Halloween or Pride – where decorations and merchandise are planned well in advance – Black History Month was often an afterthought. No marketing campaigns. No in-store visibility. Even customers noticed the lack of representation too. In the last decade, it’s felt like across the UK, Black History Month has been increasingly overshadowed by other causes that now share the October spotlight. Breast Cancer Awareness, Stoptober, ADHD Awareness, Menopause Month, Diwali and of course, Halloween, which dominates everything commercially.
Still, I quietly keep it alive in my own way. I use my social media feed to share stories, highlight cultural moments and mark the month without preaching. It’s a subtle, steady reminder that Black history isn’t just about looking back. It’s about being seen and acknowledged, right now and always.
My way of celebrating Black History Month varies year to year. I support local events – especially theatre productions – and attend music events that highlight Black talent and culture. But for me, it goes beyond October. I try to show support in everyday ways, whether through attendance, sharing or simply staying engaged. Black history is every day and always worth celebrating. The spirit of Black History Month shouldn’t be relegated to or limited to October. It’s an ongoing journey woven into everything I do. As Creative Director of Girlz B Like, I’ve made it a priority to ensure that Black women are consistently represented in our events and line-ups.
I’m intentional about spotlighting artists who are often overlooked in certain spaces. As the saying goes, ‘charity begins at home.’ So creating opportunities within my own platform is my way of contributing to lasting change. It’s about building visibility, opening doors and ensuring that inclusion isn’t a seasonal gesture, but a standard practice.
Black History Month should be more than just a celebration – it should be a springboard for opportunity. I’d love to see greater access to funding for Black entrepreneurs and creatives of all ages. Especially from the National Lottery and Arts Council. This could take the form of grants for start-ups aiming to serve our communities or targeted support for those working in fashion, media, the arts, the food industry, science and tech.
From youth programs to adult education, that extra financial push could be the jumpstart many need to pursue self-employment or launch impactful projects. A dedicated national portal could help connect people to these resources, encouraging grassroots initiatives that benefit the wider Black diaspora across the UK. Not just in October, but all year round.”