Welcome to Black History Month 2025
The theme for Black History Month 2025 is "Standing Firm in Power and Pride" a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe.
Welcome to Black History Month 2025
"We’re proud to support Black History Month 2025 with a vibrant programme of events - an important annual opportunity to come together to celebrate the immense contributions of people of African and Caribbean descent to British society.
"Black communities have long shaped the rich history and identity of the East End, from activism and the arts to community leadership. Many of this year’s events will honour that legacy, including the annual Somali Week Festival, which celebrates Somali culture at the heart of our Tower Hamlets community.
"This year’s theme, Standing Firm in Power and Pride, pays tribute to the leadership and strength of Black communities to drive positive change and build a more equal and just world. We’re excited to support this programme to help bring people together to learn, reflect, and celebrate the lasting impact of Black heritage and culture."
Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets
"Standing Firm in Power and Pride is the theme for Black History Month 2025, a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe. This year, the theme highlights the profound contributions made by Black people be they leaders, activists, or pioneers who have shaped history, while also looking towards a future of continued empowerment, unity, and growth.
"We are proud to celebrate those individuals and communities in our borough. We are supporting a month-long programme of activities through which people of all backgrounds can come together, enjoy a diverse line-up of what’s on offer, learn and engage.
"KAYD Somali Arts and Culture will be putting on a free to access literature-focused panel event ‘Diasporic Voices: In Conversation with Emerging British Somali Writers’. The event will celebrate the trailblazing work of four second-generation Somali British writers and their recently published creative works. The event is part of the annual Somali Week Festival at Oxford House, Bethnal Green.
Gateway Housing will be holding a half day event celebrating Black history, pride, and resilience through culture, community and storytelling. Activities will include a Spanish-Colombian freedom dance, steel pan musicians, Nyahbinghi drummers, and carnival-style performances, a Windrush themed talk, children’s activities, Caribbean food and more at the Grocers Wing in Tower Hamlets Town Hall.
"Poplar Union will host a series of cultural events and activities throughout October. These include a film night, an art exhibition, a concert by Grand Union Orchestra, a poetry night, and Somali and Lindy Hop dance classes.
"New Black Film Collective will present weekly film screenings of heritage films and workshops at Bloc Cinema at QMUL. The films will look at issues such as wartime, housing, NHS, education, sport and music from a Black History perspective. Film screenings will be followed by panel discussions and interactive workshops.
"For further information about what is happening over Black History Month please visit our what’s on page, which will be updated regularly throughout the month."
Councillor Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation
If you are organising a Black History Month event in Tower Hamlets please add it to our listings.