Black History Month 2025

Black History Month takes place in October each year. It’s a time to acknowledge the courage and activism of Black history, honour the past and celebrate Black icons, while highlighting the changemakers paving the way for the future. This year, the theme is ''Standing Firm in Power and Pride.''

Throughout the history of the work to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), Black women, communities and by and for organisations have worked tirelessly in the face of adversity to support victims of violence and abuse, advocate for change, and raise awareness of the additional barriers faced by Black and minoritised survivors. 

For Black History Month this year, we’ve been speaking to Black leaders in the VAWG sector about their work and what standing firm in power and pride means to them.

First up, we spoke to Andrea Simon, Executive Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) – the UK-wide coalition of more than 160 feminist organisations, researchers and experts working to end all forms of VAWG. Andrea talked to us about resilience, the importance of collaboration and the changes we need to see for Black and minoritised women and girls.

Andrea Simon, EVAW, Part one below.

In part one of our conversation with Andrea Simon we heard Andrea speak to us about resilience and the importance of collaboration within the VAWG sector.  

Now we are sharing part two of that conversation, where Andrea discusses the changes we need to see for Black and minoritised women and girls to be safe from violence and abuse. Andrea highlighted issues around funding for early prevention and ensuring young Black girls get the support they deserve and need.  

Next up we spoke to April Dawn Ventour, Head of Culture, Diversity and Inclusion at Respect accredited service eve and Director of Creating Equalz. 

Creating Equalz is a partner in the co-designed Pamoja Njia Bora Programme (Together, We’ll Find the Best Path Forward). It’s a specialist response to perpetrators of domestic abuse across Black, African, Caribbean and Mixed Heritage communities, developed as part of the Drive Partnership’s National Systems Change programme.

April Dawn Ventour, part one below...

In part one, April talks about the importance of standing firm in who we are with a sense of pride and belonging and ensuring the collective voices of Black communities are heard.

Now we are sharing part two of that conversation, where April talks about the importance of equity in access to services and representation in leadership as being key to continue supporting Black and minoritised communities. 

To round up Black History Month this year we heard from Respect’s Director of Influence, Caroline Bernard. Caroline reflects on the messages we heard from April Dawn Ventour and Andrea Simon, reminding us that we are stronger and can achieve more together.

Caroline emphasises the importance of remembering how far we have come as a sector and remembering who we are here for, survivors, who show us what resilience truly is.

Looking ahead, Caroline discusses that addressing the funding challenges that by and for organisations face is vital to continuing supporting Black and minoritised communities experiencing domestic abuse. Culturally competent work is key for victims, survivors, and perpetrators, and can go a long way to enabling perpetrators to change their behaviour.

Working collectively to address anti-racism and anti-Blackness will help the sector to stand firm in power and pride.