The theme for this year’s Black History Month, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” has sparked conversation — and in some cases, questions. “What power?” some have asked, suggesting doubt about the influence the Black community holds today.
But history provides the answer. From rebellions that challenged the institution of slavery to the movements that laid the groundwork for abolition, Black people have consistently exercised courage, vision, and agency. On both sides of the Atlantic, civil rights movements were propelled by Black communities who marched, organised, and demanded change — winning victories that reshaped laws and societies.
That power continues into the present, even when it faces resistance. In the United States, backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has led some companies to scale back programmes supporting Black employees and communities. Activists have responded with the economic strength of the “Black dollar,” calling for boycotts and reinvestment in Black-owned businesses.
Here in the UK, similar movements are unfolding. Campaigners have urged the Black community to buy hair products only from Black-owned stores — a call for economic empowerment rooted in solidarity, echoed in the rallying cry #NoMoreCrumbs. The tradition of using economic action as a tool of empowerment has deep roots here: from the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott, which challenged racist hiring practices, to Claudia Jones establishing the Notting Hill Carnival as a celebration of culture and pride.
The writer Alice Walker once observed, “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” It is a reminder that resonates powerfully with this year’s theme.
The need to stand firm is especially clear against a backdrop of rising nationalism and systemic inequalities. Campaigns waving the St George’s Cross and Union Jack under the banner of “patriotism” can, at times, echo the divisive undertones of the far-right movements that Black communities resisted in the 1970s and 80s.
Yet the story of power in Black history is not only about struggle — it is also about resilience and pride. Figures such as Altheia Jones-LeCointe, who led the UK chapter of the Black Panther movement, stand as enduring icons of this legacy. The Panthers’ mission — to instil pride, purpose, and strength in Black communities — feels as urgent today as it did then.
The message of this year’s Black History Month is clear: unity is strength. Despite challenges and differences, there is beauty and power in shared heritage. And so, as the community reflects on its history, it is also being called to action — to embrace that power, to speak it loudly, and to stand together in unity and pride.
The question “What power?” has only one answer: the power we have always held — to resist, to create, to lead, and to inspire. This month, and every month, we stand firm in that power. And we take pride in it.