black history month 2023 Black History Month is a time for reflection and action, not just in the UK, but across the globe. At akt, we recognise this month as a time to celebrate what it means to be black and LGBTQ+, and to acknowledge the complex issues that people of colour face when it comes to accessing housing support services. A brief timeline of Black History month: 1926: Carter G. Woodson, a prominent NAACP leader, educator and historian in The United States, established Black History Week in 1926. He did so to recognise the central role people of colour played in the development of the nation. 1970: Black educators and Black United Students at Kent State University in Ohio, The United States, first proposed the idea of Black History Month in February 1969. As a result, the first celebration of Black History Month took place at the university between January - February 1970. 1976: In The United States, President Gerald Ford officially recognised Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” 1987: Following this, Black History Month was first celebrated in the UK in 1987. Black people and black culture has been an intrinsic and fundamental facet of British culture for as long as Britain has existed, but the contributions of black people to the UK’s development has, for many centuries, been overlooked. October is Black History Month, and we at akt want to spotlight UK-based organisations, charities, and people who have made a fundamental and marked difference to the lives of black people in Britain. Black History Month at akt is also a chance to examine the intersections of housing, LGBTQ+ identities and race, and raise awareness of the issues affecting black young people trying to access safe housing. 47% of the young people akt supported between 2021 and 2022 identify as black, brown, or people of colour.1 The inequalities that black young people face when it comes to accessing housing and financial support are complex and different from their peers from different backgrounds. If you’re a young black person who identifies as LGBTQ+, we will be sharing resources and organisations throughout the month that you can use to access our services, and the services of other organisations. 2005 UK Black Pride, a pride event celebrating LGBTQ+ people of colour first started in London in 2005. The event's co-founder is Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, also known as Lady Phyll, a prominent LGBTQ+ activist in the UK. This Black History Month, we will be spotlighting other organisations, charities, and individuals that work to improve the lives and experiences of Black People in the UK. Below to find a list of organisations led by and for black people across the UK that you can contact: At akt, we have a list of resources and organisations for LGBTQ+ people of colour Black History org has a resource that explains what's happening near you this Black History Month Stonewall have Black History Month School Resources Mind have a resource about whether to get support during Black History Month Check our black history month watch list Epic reads also has a list of books to read in honour of Black History Month Young black men in london are 19 times more likely to be stopped and searched. Stop and search disproportionately impacts young black men who are rough sleeping, often by forcing them to move along. This prevents them from receiving support from homelessness services, which are often based on current location. akt's IMPakt report shows that 47% of the young people our charity supported between 2021 and 2022 identified as black, brown, or people of colour. 27% of the young people we supported during this time frame were black. We know that anti-blackness creates barriers for the young people we support. Racism in the privately rented sector means that young black people are being unfairly dismissed from viewings or discriminated against on the basis of their surname. Many have to resort to using a ‘western’ surname just to get a response from estate agents. If you're LGBTQ+ and struggling with accessing housing, or you're facing homelessness, we're here for you. Start a live chat with us or make a referral. need support? donate news Manage Cookie Preferences