Black History Month serves as a dedicated time to reflect on the struggles, resilience, and cultural impact of the Black community across the world. 

To me, Black History Month represents a journey of empowerment, honouring those that fought for freedom and equality and recognising the contributions of Black leaders, artists, musicians, scientists, and everyday people who continue to shape our world. 

Growing up in a multicultural and diverse suburb of Birmingham, I was surrounded by people who looked like me, which instilled me with a sense of belonging. However, when my family moved to a predominantly white village, I quickly realized I was different. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp what it meant to be of Black heritage. That changed when, at 17, I experienced my first direct encounter with racism at work. Initially, this deeply affected me, but I chose to channel my pain into purpose. I began advocating for the Black community and became committed to fighting against discrimination.

When I started university in 2020, I became a Senior and Equity Ambassador, where I had the opportunity to work closely with racialized communities, both in Cornwall and across England. My role involved helping students from these underrepresented groups access higher education and break through barriers of inequality. This work became all the more urgent as I learned of the persistent challenges Black students face in the UK education system. According to the UK Parliament, "Black students are more likely to drop out from higher education than other ethnic groups and are the least likely to achieve a first or upper second-class degree" (Bolton and Lewis, 2024). This troubling reality continues to fuel my passion for creating equitable opportunities for Black students and other marginalized communities.

Now is the time to amplify our voices, ensuring that Black culture never goes overlooked. We need to continue to think critically about how far we've come as a community, and how far we still need to go as a society. 

Beyond reflecting on our past, Black History Month is about pride, heritage, resilience, and joy. As a community we need to use this time to uplift each other, share our stories, and continue to push for a future that honours diversity and inclusion. 

Let's take this month to reflect and celebrate the strength and beauty of Black culture!

- Jadelle Luckman (President Falmouth 24/25)

To find out more about Black History Month and anything you can get involved with, visit our Black History Month Hub.