What Black History means to me

Kelly Liburd, Customer Engagement and Insights Team

October 2025

Black History Month isn’t just a date on the calendar for me- it’s part of our history, woven into everyday life. But I like to use the month as a dedicated time to pause, reflect, and reconnect with my own story. This year’s theme, Standing Firm in Power and Pride, really made me think about what that means personally. And honestly, when I think of power and pride, my mind doesn’t go straight to famous names or historic speeches. I think of my family.

Yes, we all know the icons- Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr.- and their impact is undeniable. But for me, the real power lies in the everyday heroes I grew up with. My grandparents, my dad, my aunties and uncle- they’re the ones who showed me what it means to stand firm.

My grandparents came to the UK as part of the Windrush generation, full of hope and promises of opportunity. What they found was a very different reality. But they didn’t let that break them. They stood tall, worked hard, and built a life- not just for themselves, but for all of us who came after. My granny still lives in the same house she was placed in when she arrived. That house in St Albans is like a time capsule, filled with stories, memories, and pride. It even has some of the same furniture from when she moved in. She’s the longest-standing resident on her road, and every Friday, like clockwork, she still gets her fish and chips- a true Brit in every sense.

I think of my dad, one of only a few people of colour in his school year, constantly reminded by his parents that he’d have to work ten times harder just to be seen as an equal. And he did. He excelled in sports, football, darts, cricket, all at competitive levels. Each trophy still gleams with pride in my granny’s home, a testament to his determination and spirit.

I think of my auntie, who left the comfort of St Albans at 17 to study law in London, carving out a successful career as a solicitor. And my other auntie, who lovingly styled my big curly hair when I was teased for it into the neatest cornrows, helping me see the beauty in my natural self.

To me, Standing Firm in Power and Pride means showing up as your full, authentic self-even when it’s hard. It’s not just about politics or protest. It’s personal. It’s in the way we speak, the way we love, the way people raise their children to know their roots. Pride isn’t performative- it’s purposeful. It lives in our stories, in the spaces we claim, and in the joy, we create despite everything.

Growing up just a stone’s throw from our offices in a predominantly white area came with its challenges. But I was surrounded by strong, beautiful, and incredible Black people who wore their Blackness with pride. They taught me that it’s not something to hide-it’s something to celebrate.

So young Kelly- who once hated her natural hair and wished her skin looked different- is now incredibly thankful for her history, and for all the Black people who came before her. Those who stood firm, wore their identity with pride, and showed me that being Black is something to stand tall in. My foundation is built on their journey, and my voice is simply their echo.

I believe it’s really important for organisations and individuals to celebrate Black History Month because, while Black history is deeply woven into the fabric of all history, having a dedicated time to spotlight it helps ensure those stories, cultures, and contributions aren’t overlooked.

It’s a chance to shine a light on the richness and diversity of Black heritage, and to honour the people who’ve shaped our world, often in the face of adversity. It also opens the door for learning, reflection, and meaningful conversations that help us better understand the challenges, stereotypes, and biases that still exist today. Most importantly, it’s a visible and powerful way to say: Black voices, experiences, and histories matter, not just in October, but every single day.

Join me this October and share what Black History means to you!