As October draws to a close, paralegal Ikem Nwankwo reflects on the defining moments of this Black History Month and highlights how Stewarts has championed awareness while cultivating an inclusive workplace culture.
Defining Black History Month
Black History Month is a time of reflection, celebration, and education. It honours the rich tapestry of Black heritage, achievements, and contributions across generations. Originating in the United States in 1926 as Negro History Week, it was expanded to a month-long observance in 1976 and adopted in the UK in 1987. Today, it serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, creativity, and leadership within Black communities.
Three key moments that are a staple to the spirit of Black History Month include:
- Election of Diane Abbott (1987): Diane Abbott became the first Black woman elected to the UK Parliament, breaking barriers in British politics and paving the way for greater representation of minority voices in government.
- Notting Hill Carnival’s Rise (1966–present): What began as a small community celebration of Caribbean culture has grown into one of Europe’s largest street festivals. It stands as a vibrant symbol of Black British identity, resilience, and joy.
- Barack Obama’s Inauguration (2009): The election of the first Black President of the United States marked a historic milestone in global politics and representation.
Championing Black History Month at Stewarts
At Stewarts, Black History Month is more than a calendar event – it’s a commitment to inclusion, awareness, and celebration. Within the legal profession, where diversity must be actively nurtured, we strive to create space for dialogue, learning, and cultural appreciation.
This October, our firm embraced Black History Month through a series of engaging initiatives:
- Dishes from the Afro-Caribbean diaspora: On Wednesday 8 and 22 October 2025, our in-house café curated a menu of culturally significant dishes, offering staff a delicious and educational journey through Black culinary traditions. These meals sparked conversations and brought colleagues together over shared experiences.
- Book Club Spotlight – Black Joy by Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff and Timi Sotire: Throughout the month, we read and reflected on Black Joy, a powerful anthology celebrating Black British culture and resilience. Our feedback session created a safe and open space for staff to share personal insights, discuss themes of identity and empowerment, and deepen our collective understanding.
- ‘What Black History Month Means to Us’ – Film interviews – in celebration of Black History month we shared our thoughts on what this month means to us and what the theme of ‘standing firm in Power and Pride’ means when navigating a corporate space.
These activities weren’t just symbolic – they were meaningful steps toward fostering a workplace culture that values representation and equity.
Power and Pride at Stewarts
Stewarts stands firm in its belief that diversity strengthens the legal profession. By honouring Black History Month, we reaffirm our dedication to amplifying Black voices, celebrating cultural richness, and challenging systemic barriers. Through education, celebration, and action, we continue to build a firm rooted in power, pride, and progress.
Scroll down to explore snapshots from our Black History Month celebrations—including moments from our book club discussion and the vibrant cultural dishes served by our Café.
You can find further information regarding our expertise, experience and team on our Diversity and Equality pages.
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