October 2025 Issue: Black History Month

Cara O'Neill

Paralegal

MSB Solicitors

October is a month to celebrate the achievements and culture of Black people throughout not just history, but today and the future.

This month provides the opportunity to understand and appreciate the impact of black heritage and culture. It is important to ensure Black British history is seen, heard and remembered all year around not just in October. Black history isn't just a month, it's every month, Carter G Woodson, often referred to as "Father of black history" was the founder of what became Black History Month.

He was the second Black person to earn a PhD from Harvard, where he noticed history books rarely mentioned Black people or if they did it was negative and inaccurate.

Woodson's legacy is bigger than a single month. He believed that understanding Black history was essential to dignity, equality, and justice. As he said: "Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history."

Law shapes society. Black History Month is a crucial time for the legal profession to confront its history, celebrate Black legal pioneers, and commit to a more just and inclusive future. Representation matters and previously many black lawyers and judges in history have been underrepresented, which is a problem the legal sector still working to address.

One inspiring figure to remember is Alexandra Wilson who is a young black barrister practicing in both family and criminal law. She founded "One case at a time" to help protect people of colour secure representation. She highlights a harsh reality: "For me, it was a real insight that Black people are being criminalised from when they are first laid eyes on. How can I reassure my clients that it's a fair system if people are already making their mind up from seeing a black person that you are likely to be a criminal?" Her words continue to remind us why equality is so vital in the legal system.

Black representation in the judiciary remains very low, only about 1% of judges in England and Wales are Black. At the current rate of progress, it's estimated that it will take until 2149 for Black representation in the judiciary to reflect the population proportion.

Black History Month is more than a celebration, it is a movement that challenges us to confront the past and celebrate the resilience, creating real and lasting change.

Together by having the courage to learn, listen and act we can build a society that truly serves everything.