Black History Month UK 2025

October 1st marks the start of Black History Month in the UK and our theme for the month is ‘Legacies of Action: Understanding 60 Years of Change and Challenge.’

2025 marks 60 years since the UK’s first Race Relations Act — a landmark moment in the ongoing journey towards racial justice and equality. In June, we revisited some of the pivotal moments in UK history that led to the passing of this historic bill, and throughout October, we’ll continue this exploration.

We’ll spotlight leading civil rights groups — including the Campaign Against Racial Discrimination (CARD), the Black British Panthers, and the Black Parents Movement — who challenged injustice, fought for equality, and helped shape the legislation that followed.

Black British History Timeline

1964 - Campaign Against Racial Discrimination (CARD)

The Campaign Against Racial Discrimination (CARD), formed in 1964, was an interracial coalition challenging racism in Britain. It pushed for stronger laws than the 1965 Race Relations Act, focusing on discrimination in housing, employment, and public life, and helped shape early race relations policy.

1968 - British Black Panthers

The British Black Panthers, founded in 1968 in Notting Hill, were inspired by the US Black Panther Party. They fought racial injustice in Britain, tackling police brutality and discrimination in housing, education, and jobs, while promoting Black self-determination and community empowerment.

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1975 - Black Parents Movement

The Black Parents Movement, founded in 1975, supported Black communities in Britain—particularly the working class and unemployed. Active through the mid-1980s, it tackled racism in education, policing, housing, and jobs, while engaging in legal campaigns and international solidarity work, especially with Grenada and Guyana.

60 years on from the Race Relations Act – How far have we really come?

In 1965, the UK took its first legal step against racial discrimination with the Race Relations Act, acknowledging that racism is a societal issue, not just an individual failing. Sixty years on, the question remains: how far have we really come? Are we moving forward, or are we at risk of sliding backward?