Black History Month Speaker
Black History Month Speaker
The story of black history is the story of world history told through the eyes of those who have seen the best and the worst of human nature. It is a story of oppression, yes, but also one of exploration and innovation and ultimately one of transcendence and triumph. The speaker you choose for your black history month event should reflect all of these aspects of the black experience and more.
Black History Month was recognised by President Ford in the US for the idea to make its way to the UK. Stirred to action by what he perceived as an identity crisis that was endemic among black British children a Ghanian activist named Akyaaba Addai-Sebo convinced Ken Livingstone, at the time leader of the Greater London Council, to import the idea from the US in 1987 and adapt it to focus on significant contributions of black British citizens.
It was decided to celebrate British Black History Month in October because that month marks the start of a new academic calendar. The idea was to maximise engagement with young minds as soon as they returned from summer holiday in order to produce an awareness that would stay with them throughout the school year.
Today, British Black History Month is marked by literally thousands of events of all sizes and types right across the UK, many of which hire speakers like Bianca Miller to provide background, context and inspiration to both the present and the upcoming generations of black British leaders.
TESTIMONIALS
The Multidimensional Story of Black History
The story of black history is often bookended by the outrageous of the slave trade and the 20th-century struggle for civil rights. And while those are certainly important aspects of the black experience there is much more to the story that needs to be explored.
Your black history month speaker should embody the courage and fortitude of her ancestors while also being a living, breathing example of the possibilities open to black entrepreneurs in the 21st century. She should speak as much to the future as to the past and be grounded firmly in the here and now. She should also be able to engage her audience from the minute she appears and leave them enlightened and inspired.
About Black History Month
While we tend to take Black History Month for granted today it’s important to remember that this annual, month-long recognition of the massive contributions of black people to the history of the UK wasn’t always part of the calendar. Even in the US, where the idea has its roots, it is a relatively new celebration.
The history of Black History Month can be traced back more than a century to Cambridge, Massachusetts in the US where, in 1915, a 39 year old African American historian – and only the 2nd African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University – named Carter Woodson established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). His forward-looking organisation dedicated itself to researching and telling the story of black history and culture.
As time passed Woodson became convinced that celebrating black history should be an annual, nationwide event. Using the vernacular of the day he dubbed his celebration “Negro History Week” and pressed to have teachers coordinate lessons regarding black history with this weeklong event, which he determined should take place the 2nd week in February each year.
Why February? Woodson chose this particular month to celebrate black history because both the great African American abolitionist, orator and statesman Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln, author of the Emancipation Proclamation which freed the slaves on in 1863, were born in February.
By the mid-1960s the struggle for civil rights had shone a spotlight on Woodson’s idea and more and more states and municipalities around the country began to embrace it. By the time of the US bicentennial in 1976, it had grown to a month-long celebration which was officially recognised by President Gerald Ford. Ford exhorted Americans to: “…seize the opportunity to honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history.”
How to Choose the Perfect Black History Month Speaker
Besides finding someone with an engaging manner and a compelling story there are a couple of other things to look for when choosing a speaker for your black history month event.
They should have experience that is relevant to your industry
Many speakers can give lengthy and interesting talks about the contribution of black actors to the Shakespearean stage or to the political life of the UK in the 19th century. But what does that have to do with your business? You want someone who is going to speak the same language as the audience, and if they can somehow find connections between your industry and the Shakespearean stage, that’s great, but it’s a secondary consideration.
They should be able to weave their own story into their talk
Even more important than being able to infuse a talk with historical titbits is the ability of a speaker to weave their own history and experience into their black history month talk. So before selecting an individual to anchor your event, look into their background, find out what you can about their personal journey and see what others are saying about them. If they have personal experience – good or bad – with diversity in the workspace and the challenges facing the black community in the 2020s, and they can weave those experiences into the larger discussion, they will create an indelible bond with the audience and your event will be the talk of the industry.
Contact Bianca Miller-Cole Today
Bianca Miller-Cole is the very embodiment of the contemporary black experience. A successful entrepreneur, personal brand expert and rising media star who has transcended obstacles, burst through barriers and carved out a niche for herself in the zeitgeist. If you want your black history month event to shine, get in touch with Bianca today by emailing bookings@biancamiller.uk or calling 02086679519.
