Black History Month – Honouring our Heroes: ‘I can only imagine the loneliness and culture shock she must have felt’

October is Black History Month in the UK, widely regarded as one of the most prominent cultural celebrations of the year.

This year’s theme is Reclaiming Narratives, a call to take control of the stories of Black history, and a reminder to take the time to honour our heroes and shine a light on the profound impact of Black individuals.

UK Youth staff members have been Honouring their Heroes, by sharing which Black individuals have inspired them, had the biggest influence on their life, and who they look up to.

Oby Bamidele, interim chief operating officer, said: “Nelson Mandela is someone I have always been hugely inspired by. His perseverance in the face of extreme adversity, his grace, and his unwavering commitment to justice are qualities I continually draw from.

“Despite spending 27 years in prison, Mandela held a message of forgiveness, unity, and reconciliation, which I find remarkable.

“He wasn’t just fighting for freedom – he was fighting for healing and rebuilding a nation, which are great lessons in leadership and humanity.”

“My late mother, Philomena, has had the biggest influence on me. She moved from Nigeria to the UK at just 22 in the early 1960s to join my father, who was training to be a merchant seaman and travelled frequently for work.

“I can only imagine the loneliness and culture shock she must have felt, leaving her family behind and arriving in a cold, unfamiliar country, only to face racism and hostility. At that time, signs like “No Dogs, No Irish, No Blacks” were common, yet she persevered. Despite the immense challenges, she juggled her studies, worked, raised young children largely on her own, and even supported her family back in Nigeria.

She went on to earn qualifications in hotel and catering management and advanced in her career. Even after returning to Nigeria, she faced new challenges of patriarchy and sexism while raising six children, being a wife and balancing a demanding job. She never allowed the biases around her to hold her back.

“Her strength, ambition, and belief in her equality with men empowered her to speak out against injustices against women which meant she was misunderstood or judged. She instilled in me the values of independence, hard work, and the importance of advocating for myself.

“There are many women like my mother who are the backbone of their families and do everything in their power to pave a better way for their children. They may not be famous, but they are the fabric of our communities—the shoulders many of us stand on today.”

I deeply admire Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director general of the WTO. She has shattered numerous glass ceilings, not just as the first African and the first woman to lead the World Trade Organisation but also in her work on global economic policy. I love how she navigates international spaces with grace and authenticity while holding onto her identity and principles. She shows that leading on a global stage is possible without compromising who you are. Her career serves as a reminder that Black women belong in all spaces, no matter how high the stakes.

UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 9,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, visit ukyouth.org 

UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability, including Hatch, a youth employability programme run in partnership with KFC. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/programmes