Black history is European history.

(Summary at the bottom)

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Black History Month and we’re excited to celebrate it together with all of you! 

Across Europe, the month is observed in different ways. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, it is known as Black History Month, while in the Netherlands it is celebrated as Black Achievement Month (BAM). Here on goSupermodel, we’ll be celebrating European Black History Month (EBHM), with a focus on the histories, cultures and contributions of Black communities across Europe.

Over the next four weeks, we’ll be exploring different parts of Black Europe together. We’ll look at hidden histories, communities, art, music and literature, and get to know some of the people shaping Black Europe today. There will also be competitions, a special EBHM Shop Drop and community activities along the way!

This year’s UK theme, Honouring Our Communities, is a reminder that history isn’t only something we find in textbooks and museums. It lives on in the people, cultures and communities around us. We’re looking forward to sharing those stories with you throughout October.

Why Black Europe?

Conversations about Black history often focus on the United States. While those stories and histories are important, they’re only part of a much bigger picture. Black communities have lived, worked and shaped societies across Europe and beyond for centuries, influencing history, culture and everyday life in countless ways. This month, we want to bring some of the people, places and stories that deserve more attention into the spotlight.

Black Europe: Through the Centuries

Black people have been part of Europe’s history for centuries, yet many of these stories are still missing from the history we’re taught today. From saints and philosophers to artists, nurses and contemporary creators, Black Europeans have shaped Europe’s history and culture in countless ways.

This timeline offers just a glimpse into Black Europe’s rich and diverse history, highlighting individuals whose achievements have shaped European society across generations.

Hidden Histories Across Europe

The stories we know are shaped by the ones we choose to remember. Across Europe, historians, communities and cultural organisations are uncovering Black histories and bringing them into the wider story of the continent’s past.

In Lisbon, heritage plaques mark more than 500 years of African history, highlighting the lives and contributions of Black doctors, artists, journalists, religious leaders and community members who helped shape the city. Initiatives like these invite both locals and visitors to look at familiar places and discover the history behind them.

Heritage plaque at Cais de Sodré, Lisbon, Portugal

Roughly translated, the plaque reads: “For centuries, this was a meeting place for many people, marked by the constant movement of the city’s population and activities. A painting by Joaquim Mendes (1785) highlights this dynamic and depicts African populations. Historical records from the 16th and 17th centuries documented thousands of Black enslaved people living in Lisbon. They also took part in street performances involving music and dance, while working in trade and navigation”

But hidden histories aren’t only preserved through memorials. They also live on in the communities that continue to shape Europe’s cities every day.

The vibrant neighbourhood of Matonge has become the cultural heart of Brussels’ Congolese community. Home to restaurants, cafés, beauty salons, markets and local businesses, Matonge celebrates African culture while reflecting the city’s multicultural identity and the people who have made it what it is today.

Meanwhile, projects like Black Central Europe have been uncovering more than 1,000 years of Black history across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. By documenting historical figures, communities and archival records, the project helps show that Black history in Central Europe goes back much further than recognised.

Interested in learning more? Explore Black Central Europe’s digital archive and interactive collection here: https://blackcentraleurope.com/sources/

Did You Know?

Black communities across Europe trace their heritage to countries and cultures all around the world, bringing with them countless languages, traditions, cuisines and forms of artistic expression that keep enriching Europe’s cultural landscape.

Summary

• This Black History Month we celebrate and learn about the histories, cultures and contributions of Black communities across Europe.
• Black people have been part of Europe’s story for centuries, helping shape its history, arts, sciences, politics and communities.
• From historical figures like Saint Maurice, Anton Wilhelm Amo and Mary Seacole to contemporary voices such as Michaela Coel and John Boyega, Black Europeans have left a lasting impact across generations.
• Hidden histories can be found throughout Europe, from heritage projects in Lisbon and communities like Matonge in Brussels to initiatives such as Black Central Europe that are helping preserve and share these stories.
• Black history is European history and by exploring these stories, we gain a fuller understanding of Europe’s past, present and future.

The stories of Black Europe span centuries, reminding us that Black History has always been European history.

With Love,

The Inclusivity Group.