Foreword: David Lammy MP

I am delighted to introduce readers to the Black History Month guide.

THIS October, we are once again afforded the opportunity to celebrate and remember both the achievements and the suffering of the African Diaspora, not just in Britain, but worldwide. Whilst last year was marked by the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade in Britain, this year we have the chance to celebrate the cultural impact the Black community has made on Britain. This year, it is 40 years since the appointment of the first Black head teacher, 30 years since the first appearance of a Black English football player at international level, 20 years since Naomi Campbell first appeared on the cover of VOGUE, 15 years since Paul Ince became the first Black English football captain and 5 years since Valerie Amos became the first Black leader of the House of Lords. After only 60 years since the docking of the Empire Windrush, the Diaspora boasts a whole host of community leaders and cultural icons.
So whilst Black History Month should be a celebration of the many success stories from our community, both today and in the past, we can never lose sight of the challenges that remain ahead. Black children are still less likely to go on to university and more likely to be victims of gun and knife crime. October must be a month where the stories of our ancestors inspire us all, irrespective of colour, to confront these challenges head-on and foster the unity that will entrench the achievements of our grandparents and enable our children to further advance the progress of our society.

should prove to be a significant time period in the push to make sure Black history takes its rightful place as part of British and world history. This may well be the year when the Office of the President of the United States, the leader of the free world, is occupied for the first time by an African American. This year, for the first time, all secondary school pupils across the UK will be taught Black History as a compulsory module alongside the two World Wars and the Holocaust. Black History will now be accessible not just in the month of October, but by every school child, all year round.

As ever, I wish all readers an educational and enjoyable October, and all the best for the year to come.

David Lammy
MP for Tottenham and Minister for Skills