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Supporting Black History Month 2025

October is Black History Month. Learn more about the activities that took place and what action you can take to improve race equality.

22 December 2025

Black History Month is an opportunity to honour the achievements, history and culture of black people and their invaluable contribution to society and the healthcare system. It’s also an opportunity to connect; inspire and empower future generations.

This year’s theme ‘Standing firm in power and pride’, highlighted the importance of sharing stories of resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the black community.

At a time when our black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) colleagues are facing increased levels of racism, it is vital we reclaim the narrative and celebrate the crucial work they do in our organisations.

Black History Month provides an opportunity for organisations to support the campaign, raise awareness, share insights to help tackle racism and improve staff experience.

Joan Saddler OBE, director of partnerships and equality at the NHS Confederation said:

“As we enter Black History Month and reflect on this year’s theme of ‘Standing firm in power and pride’, we are reminded that celebration must walk hand in hand with the fight to tackle racism. While we honour the achievements of black trailblazers, we cannot ignore the rising reports of racism against BME staff working across the NHS – these reports include verbal abuse, harassment and vandalism. We must stand together and recommit to taking action towards safer workplaces for all. Each of us has a role to play in shaping a future rooted in equity, equality and respect.”

Black History Month provides an opportunity for leaders to declare that the NHS will not stand for racism going forward. Racism, inequality, injustice within the NHS is not acceptable.
- Adopt an anti-racist approach: make it a core part of conversations and actions.
- Address policies and structural issues: organisations must review and amend policies.
- Consider systemic issues: reflect on theories and identities to guide actions.
- Use data and monitor progress: recognise that data is only valuable when acted upon and ensure you meet your milestones.
- Use existing frameworks and models: follow the Race and Health Observatory’s Seven Anti-racism Principles, use NHS England’s Patient Care Race Equality Framework and the Institute for Race Relations tools.
- Engage with your BME staff through networks: use the power of networks for collective action and actively listen to their challenges.
- Storytelling: share stories to humanise data and illustrate impacts.
- Implement and demonstrate a zero-tolerance policy on racism and bullying.
- Be accountable as a leader: also hold leaders to account.
- Look for disparities within the career development of your staff and work to close gaps through active career management policies.
- Support BME people in their leadership roles through standing your moral ground and refusing to collude with others' bad behaviour.
- Encourage more BME staff to become Freedom to Speak Up guardians.
- Ensure the diversity of your board reflects the diversity of your staff and service users.
- The NHS Confederation's BME Leadership Network exists to strengthen the voice of NHS Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) leaders and to support NHS organisations to meet the needs of all communities. Membership is open to both NHS BME leaders and allies. Visit the BME Leadership Network page to become a member.
The evidence
- The Messenger review (2022) highlighted the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in leadership. In response, the NHS EDI improvement plan was published which states that “where diversity – across the whole workforce – is underpinned by inclusion, staff engagement, retention, innovation, and productivity improve.”
- The Workforce Race Equality Standard 2024 report indicated that BAME staff make up 28.6 per cent of the workforce across NHS trusts. Whilst this is positive, the survey also indicated that 24.9 per cent of BAME staff reported harassment, bullying or abuse from colleagues in the last 12 months, and are less likely to be appointed than their white counterparts.
- The NHS England Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) plan seeks to tackle these issues with high impact actions two and six:
  - High-impact two requires NHS organisations to embed fair and inclusive recruitment processes and talent management strategies that target under-representation and lack of diversity.
  - High-impact action six requires organisations to create an environment that eliminates the conditions in which bullying, discrimination, harassment, and physical violence at work occur. To achieve this, organisations are required to review data by protected characteristic, including BME status and gender, and set reduction targets by March 2024, and implement a plan to improve the staff experience of these groups.
- Fair Futures: Regional Roadshows on Ethnicity Pay and Progression in Healthcare
  The NHS Race and Health Observatory hosted a series of regional roadshows, that took place between 18 September and 27 November 2025. The sessions brought together NHS and healthcare leaders, managers, EDI professionals, clinicians, researchers, and advocates to confront and address the current state of racial inequalities within the NHS workforce. Participants engaged in keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops that focused on data trends, research, and effective strategies for improvement. Case studies highlighted the challenges, but also the actions that can be taken to make the NHS a fairer and more equitable workplace for individuals from all ethnic backgrounds.
- RCN London Black History Month event: Elevate, Accelerate and Celebrate
  Friday 10 October 2025, 10–4pm, London
  Delegates joined the RCN London to support professional growth, be inspired and celebrate Black History.
- Celebrating Black History Month: an evening with Lord Adebowale CBE and Baroness Warsi
  Tuesday 14 October 2025, 5:30-8:30pm, London
  The NHS Confederation’s BME Leadership Network and the NHS Race and Health Observatory hosted an evening celebration in London, featuring Lord Adebowale CBE and Baroness Warsi. They shared exclusive insights on what it means to be a pioneering leader from a BME background.
- Webinar: Zero Tolerance – 100% Care
  Wednesday 15 October, 12-1pm, online via MS Teams link
  This session was hosted by Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB in collaboration with North West BAME Assembly and the NHS Muslim Network. Speakers included Naveed Sharif, associate director for culture and inclusion and a keynote from Dr Idrees Mohammed. The session covered:
  - What “Zero Tolerance” means in these testing times.
  - Why now? A look through the lens of Black History Month.
  - Inclusive and just culture in practice.
  - Zero tolerance and HR perspectives.
  - Follow-through and accountability.
  - Panel discussion.
- Webinar: Standing firm in power and pride
  Monday 20 October, 1-2pm, online via this MS Teams link
  Hosted by Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB and the North West BAME Assembly, the session celebrated the impact of black heritage and leadership. Speakers shared insights from their personal and professional journeys, explored challenges, successes, and experiences that have shaped their identities. Speakers included:
  - Ayo Barley, Director, NHS North West Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Assembly
  - Evelyn Asante-Mensah OBE, Board Chair, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
  - A panel Q&A session (made up of colleagues with lived experience and allies’ stories).
- Black History Month 2025: Health, Wellbeing & Equity
  Wednesday 22 October, 10-2:30pm
  Anerley Town Hall, Anerley Road, London, SE20 8BD
  This was a free, vibrant community event held by Penge Primary Care Network, the event celebrated black healthcare pioneers and tackling health inequalities. There was access to free health checks and culturally tailored nutrition advice. Delegates enjoyed a traditional Afro-Caribbean lunch and connected with local health partners.
- What should the NHS do in light of the current wave of racism
  23 October, 12:30-1:30pm
  In response to the rise in racial abuse and attacks faced by NHS staff, the free webinar featured:
  - Professor Patricia Miller OBE - CEO, NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board
  - Sim Scavazza - Chair of the Seacole Group
  - Roger Kline - Research Fellow, Middlesex University Business School
- Read this blog by Alexandra Ankrah, Keeping equality at the forefront of NHS changes. Alex reflects on the NHS changes and persistent inequalities highlighted in the WRES and WDES reports, as well as sharing her hopes for a future NHS that leaves no one behind.
- Explore this briefing on An investment not a drain - healthcare leaders' views on EDI in the NHS, published by the NHS Confederation highlighting perspectives from the service on the value of EDI to the NHS.
- Visit the official Black History Month website to find out what else is happening during the month.
- Access the Act Against Racism guidance and resources, published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. It helps mental health employers tackle racism in the workplace.
- Read the NHS Confederation's Shattered Hopes report which explores the experiences of BME leaders’ and challenges in breaking the glass ceiling in the NHS. It shares reflections on the lived experience of senior black and minority ethnic leaders in the NHS.
- Learn how you can take action against inequality by accessing the combatting racial discrimination against nurses, midwives, and nursing associates resource, published by NHS England, NHS Confederation, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council. It provides advice on the action you can take if you witness or experience racism. It also supports those in leadership roles to become inclusive leaders.
- Read the NHS Confederation's anti-racism report Excellence through equality: anti-racism as a quality improvement tool. It includes examples of good practice case studies from BME Leadership Network members to help advance equality within the workforce and for service users.
- Learn more about the NHS Race and Health Observatory hosted by the NHS Confederation and supported by NHS England, which has been established to investigate the impact of race and ethnicity on people’s health.

Supporting Black History Month 2025

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