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Black History Month

Colourful cut out collage imagery featuring Black women, inspirational words, textures, legs, a plant and a butterfly
Colourful cut out collage imagery featuring Black women, inspirational words, textures, legs, a plant and a butterfly
Black History Month 2026, Collage by Abisola Oshin, Letitia Inniss and Oreoluwa Salako, UAL | Campaign design direction: UAL Creative

Join us as we celebrate the history, culture and contribution of the Black community - including our students, staff and alumni.

Black History Month (BHM) takes place in October across the UK and is an opportunity to recognise, celebrate and share the outstanding contributions of the Black community. It's also a time for reflection and to raise awareness of Black history and heritage.

Check out our BHM resources from around UAL.

What's on

Stories

More to explore

  • Black Creatives Hub | Design direction: Brand and Creative, UAL

    Black Creatives Hub

    Showcasing the exceptional talents and contributions of our Black community and highlighting support, resources and opportunities available.

  • Young man reading a book in the library
    Reading at the library, image courtesy of UAL

    Halls Life Black History Month events  

    See the full Black History Month events schedule from Halls Life.

  • Safeen James, BA (Hons) Creative Direction for Fashion, London College of Fashion, UAL
    Safeen James, BA (Hons) Creative Direction for Fashion, London College of Fashion, UAL

    Arts SU Black History Month events  

    See the full Black History Month events schedule from Arts SU

  • Rochelle Saunders, MA Arts and Cultural Enterprise, Central Saint Martins, 2020, © Alys Tomlinson

    Arts SU Black History Month support  

    Resources for any student who needs support during BHM and beyond.

  • Collage of images representing African heritage, culture and celebrities.
    Petra Raissa Nogueira, '[Black is] light', 2021, BA Fashion Design and Development, London College of Fashion,UAL.

    UAL Anti-Racism strategy

    See how we're working together to make UAL an anti-racist university.

  • Installation of various textile patterns
    Textiles with organic shapes by Tayla-Jayne Sander, image courtesy of UAL.

    Ethnic Representation Index

    See how we're reviewing the progress made by universities in England to become anti-racist institutions.

Origin of BHM

BHM was founded in the UK in 1987 by Akyaaba Addai Sebo. He was inspired by the civil rights movement in the US, where BHM was born in 1969.

Akyaaba's initial goal was to help build a sense of identity among Black people in the UK. He also wanted to help communities challenge racism and learn about the British history that wasn't taught in schools.

It's important to educate ourselves about often unsung Black history to help dispel negative stereotypes. BHM is a time to celebrate and share the culture of Black people and inspire and instil pride.